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Welcome to Episode #16 of Profiles in Franceformation. I’m your host Allison Grant Lounes and today we’ll be speaking to Summer Jauneaud, an American expat from Los Angeles living in the town of Amboise, located in the Loire Valley of France. Summer is the Loire Valley Concierge. She and her friend, Christy, also have a YouTube Channel called FrenchDish, in which they share their love for the country and the “joie de vivre” of France with their viewers. We’ll learn about what brought Summer to France over 20 years ago as well as:

  • The interesting sites and attractions to see within her hometown of Amboise.
  • What made her decide to move to France.
  • Her experience of applying for French nationality after marrying a Frenchman.
  • What it has been like raising her children in France.
  • Differences between French and American cultures, and how she helps her clients to navigate those differences as the Loire Valley Concierge.
  • Her favorite French foods, wines, cheeses and most importantly, dessert!

While listening to this conversation between Allison and Summer, you will hear several French words used. We have included a quick reference guide of what those French words mean so you can easily follow along to our conversation, and increase your French vocabulary as well!

Summer references one of Allison’s previous podcast episodes with Harriet Welty-Rochefort, follow this link here to take a listen: http://www.yourfranceformation.com/2020/12/30/episode-1/ 

 Quick Reference Guide:

  • Loire Valley – a region of central France along the Loire River known for its wine, agricultural and chateaux.
  • Amboise – a town within the Loire Valley of France.
  • Château de Montdomaine – historic estate and vineyards in the Loire Valley.
  • Château Royal d’Amboise – a royal residence of French kings from the 15th to 19th centuries, Leonardo da Vinci’s tomb is also located at the Château Royal d’Amboise.
  • Château Gaillard Amboise – château built by King Charles VIII in 1496, located within Amboise.
  • Château du Clos Lucé – Leonardo da Vinci stayed in this château (also located in Amboise) during the last three years of his life.
  • Chenonceau – château in the Loire Valley, was once used as a military hospital during World War I.
  • Villandry – château in the Loire Valley.
  • Château d’Azay-le-Rideau – château within the Touraine area in the Loire Valley.
  • Touraine – a traditional province of France, famous for its chateaux, agriculture, and wine.
  • Institut de Touraine – French language and culture school within Tours of the Loire Valley.
  • Côte d’Azur – French riviera located in the southeastern region of France along the Mediterranean Sea.
  • Château de Chambord – château in the Loire Valley, closely located to Tours and Blois.
  • L’Atelier de Lumières – unique art studio in Paris.
  • Croissant – traditional French crescent-shaped pastry.
  • Boulangerie – French word for bakery.
  • Certificate de nationalité ou de naissance – French version of a nationality certificate or birth certificate.
  • État civil – French register of births, marriages and deaths.
  • FUSAC – French USA Contacts; French classified ads for English speakers, now available online.
  • Louvre – art museum located in Paris, famous for housing works such as the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, The Winged Victory of Samothrace.
  • Musee d’Orsay – an art museum within an old train station, the Gare d’Orsay, in Paris, located in the 7th arrondissement.
  • Crèche – French word for childcare center or nursery school.
  • Jardin des Enfants des Nations Unis – bilingual school located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris.
  • Kabyle – language spoken in Algeria.
  • Maman – informal French word for mom or mommy.
  • Baccalauréat – French word for high school diploma, also the name of the French exam at the end of high school.
  • Tours – largest city in the Loire Valley in France.
  • VOversion originale or voix originale meaning the original version of audio in a film or TV show as opposed to a dubbed version.
  • Chambre d’hôtes – French word for a bed and breakfast.
  • Médecin traitant – French word for general practitioner or primary care physician.
  • Art de vivre – French saying for the art of living or way of life.
  • Gourmand – French word for a foodie or food lover.
  • La Cave Amboise – local wine shop in Amboise
  • Tarte tatin – traditional French dessert made with caramelized apples and pastry.
  • MOFmeilleur ouvrier de France – French craftsperson of the year.
  • Sainte-Maure de Touraine – fresh goat’s milk cheese .
  • Selles-sur-Cher – goat’s milk cheese .
  • Chèvre chaud salade – salad with warm goat cheese.
  • Boeuf bourguignon – classic French beef stew braised in red wine.
  • Blanquette de veau – classic French veal stew.
  • Troglodyte – cave, Summer mentions a Troglodyte Airbnb.
  • Les commerces – French word for business.
  • Recul – French word to take a step back, hindsight.

Be sure to check out Summer’s YouTube channel, French Dish: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC38F_VrVnPR4Hr04R7oxupQ/featured 
You can also find links here to her Loire Valley Concierge Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Loire-Valley-Concierge-103824868439925  and Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/loire_valley_concierge/ 

Also, check out the other cohost of the FrenchDish Christy’s website https://www.traveloffthebeatenpath.com/  and her Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/franceotbp/ 

References used include:

If you are considering moving to France like Summer, Foolproof French Visas can help you navigate the path toward finding the right visa for you. It can be purchased here: http://www.yourfranceformation.com/books or in paperback on Amazon.

If you would like to pursue your own Franceformation, you can also request a free 30-minute clarity call with Allison to review your visa options and decide how to move toward creating your ideal life in France: http://www.yourfranceformation.com/free-call 

If you liked this episode, be sure to leave a positive review, and subscribe so you’ll get next week’s episode as well!

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