Experience France Like a Local

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Categories: Moving to France, Occitanie

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to fully immerse yourself in French village life? In episode 514 of the Join Us in France podcast, host Annie Sargent interviews Steve Hoffman, the author of A Season for That: Lost and Found in the Other Southern France. Steve and his family spent several months in Autignac, a small winemaking village in the Languedoc region. In this episode, he shares what it was like to embrace life in rural France as an expat.

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The Joys and Challenges of Moving to France

Steve and his wife, Mary Jo, decided to move to France to give their children the chance to attend French schools. They had a vision of picturesque villages, cobbled streets, and romantic adventures. But the reality was quite different. Their chosen village, Autignac, was small, dusty, and rural—nothing like the glamour of Provence or the Côte d'Azur that many foreigners imagine when they think of southern France.

Instead of being disheartened, Steve and his family slowly adjusted to their new reality. He explains that immersing yourself in a place means learning to take it on its own terms. For them, this meant getting to know the locals, embracing the quirks of village life, and even participating in the grape harvest (vendange). Steve's stories highlight that deep travel experiences, where you stay in one place and form connections with the community, offer a much richer and more rewarding experience than constantly seeking new adventures.

Ways to Experience France Like a Local: Sending Children to French Schools

One of the most important reasons Steve and Mary Jo moved to France was for their children to attend local schools. Their son Joseph was nine, and their daughter Eva was 14 at the time. Both children attended the village school in Autignac, and later, a private school in Béziers. Steve shares that they found the French education system surprisingly welcoming. In fact, he was more concerned about how their US schools would handle the transitions!

For expats moving to France with children, this part of the episode offers great insights. Steve talks about the cultural differences in French schools, such as the emphasis on a formal lunchtime meal that includes a variety of foods, even cheeses! He also explains how attending a local school, rather than an international one, helped their children quickly adjust to life in France and make local friends.

Discovering French Wine and Food

As a food writer, Steve is naturally passionate about cuisine. But it wasn’t just his love of French food that made his time in Languedoc special. It was the connection he built with the winemaking culture of the region. Steve volunteered during the grape harvest and even worked in a local winery, learning firsthand about the labor that goes into making wine. This experience changed how he thought about wine—not just as something to sip, but as a product of hard work and craftsmanship. Learn more about the Vin de Faugères Appellation .

Steve also shares how their family adjusted to French cooking and eating habits. He talks about the differences in Mediterranean cuisine, grilling with vinewood instead of charcoal, and the importance of seasonal, local ingredients. His journey from being a lover of food to becoming a food writer was, in many ways, inspired by this deep connection to the land and its produce.

A New Perspective on Travel

In this episode, Steve Hoffman emphasizes how staying in one place for an extended period changes your perspective on travel. Instead of ticking off tourist attractions, he suggests that travelers should spend more time immersing themselves in one location. By doing so, you learn more about the culture, the people, and even yourself.

If you’ve ever dreamed of moving to France, living in a small village, or simply experiencing France like a local, this episode is for you. Steve’s stories of adjusting to rural life, sending his children to French schools, and becoming part of a close-knit winemaking community are both inspiring and relatable for anyone considering a move abroad.

Listen to the full episode for a deeper dive into Steve’s experiences and insights on making the most of life in France. Share it with other Francophiles and expats who want to experience the richness of local French life!

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