round trip travel and lifestyle blog

France

Best Beaches to Visit in Marseille, France

Chances are if you’re visiting Marseille, you want some sun. I’ve been living in Marseille for more than two years now and am head over heels for this Mediterranean port city’s 300 days of sunshine. Being the second largest city in France, Marseille is certainly urban, but what I love about this city is that you can have both big city and stunning nature. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly beach or a beach where you can jump off cliffs, I’ve got you covered. If you’re heading to Marseille and want to enjoy some time on the beach, I’m...

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How to Take a Day Trip to the Calanques from Marseille

There are few places in the world that simply take our breath away and make us feel small in the most magnificent way. There are places that make us feel like we’re living in a postcard and perhaps we’re looking at a green screen. The calanques in Marseille are truly some of the most beautiful places I’ve seen in my life. The calanques refer to the majestic rock formations jutting in and out of the Mediterranean sea. It’s the perfect place to take a hike, picnic or swim. There are multiple calanques in southern France. If you’re headed to...

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City Guide to Nîmes and Aigues-Mortes, France

My dad always said, “It’s not what you know but who you know.” And when it comes to travel, it’s no different. In September 2020, I moved to Marseille, France, to teach English and have enjoyed exploring France’s gems from Bordeaux to Nice. But France has a geographically rich and diverse country with thousands of corners to explore. And thanks to my teaching program, I know several other assistants in France whom I can visit. My university friend Nandi is teaching in Nîmes, and although this town wasn’t at the top of my bucket list, I’m always down to...

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Where Did Emily in Paris Travel in Season 2?

Love it or hate it, people are talking about Emily in Paris and its second season on Netflix. The series follows a young professional who moves from Chicago to Paris to work in marketing and just so happens to find romance and adventure along the way. I watched the first season, and although cliché, the show still tickled my fancy with its lightheartedness, edgy fashion and vibrant soundtrack. When Emily in Paris season 2 came out, I downloaded all the episodes and watched them on my trip back to Marseille. I was disappointed by the flagrant infidelity and rampant...

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How to Take a Day Trip to Versailles, France

Castles, queens, boujee chandeliers and royal gardens beckon in France. And it’s no secret that out of France’s many castles, the Palace of Versailles ranks as one of the most popular. Being only 13 miles southwest of the City of Lights’ center, Versailles makes a great day trip from Paris. My friend Robin and I spent the weekend exploring Paris and devoted a solid half-day to our Versailles detour. (You most certainly could spend more time here!) From how to get there to how much it costs, here’s your guide on how to take a day trip to Versailles,...

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Idyllic Provence Road Trip in Vaucluse, France

Southern France has stolen my heart. Lavender fields, rolling hills, cobblestone streets and all in the sweet sunshine? C’mon! A little over a year ago I moved to Marseille to teach English and au pair, and since then, I’ve had the privilege of exploring southern France at my leisure. Personally, you can’t go wrong with any destination in France, but some tug at the heart strings more than others. I’ve compiled some of my favorite Provence road trip destinations so that you can profiter and simply savor the best of southern France in the Vaucluse department at your own...

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Day Trip to Avignon, France

In my AP European History class, I first learned about Avignon, France, a town in southern France that once served as the papal residence. But I closed my history book, passed the AP exam (with a 4!) and moved on with my life. But last year, I moved to Marseille and have been itching to explore more of France. With an impressive train system, France is easily traveled by rail, and I was curious about this town that I had learned about in my history book 7 years ago. So I took the 1-hour train from Marseille to Avignon...

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8 Things to Do in Annecy, France

Where should we go? One of the amazing things about living in France is having the world at your fingertips. C’mon, thousands of noteworthy destinations within a stone’s throw. And add in having your college pal living in France with you? That means many girls’ weekends to be had. So when my friend Tori and I decided we wanted to take another weekend trip, we started spitballing ideas and landed on Annecy, a town of 125,000 in eastern France. Personally, I don’t think you can go wrong with any destination in France, so when Tori made this suggestion, I...

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How to Spend a Weekend in Albi, France

Listen, I love all the hustle and bustle that French cities have to offer. But hear me out: French villages make my heart flutter. I moved to Marseille last year and fell madly in love with this Mediterranean port city. However, it’s when I’m in small town France that I feel like I’m truly in France. La France profonde. One of my good friends lives in the most darling village of Albi. Thanks to her, I discovered this village with a population hovering around 50,000 and have been able to explore Albi and its surroundings with her. Here are...

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Bienvenue

Hey there, I'm Kristin, a Missouri girl living and working in southern France. I love planning weekend trips, sharing my best expat tips and sipping iced coffee.

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