My French Life

Most people have heard of the catacombs, which are actually an ossuary. But few have heard about the other underground activities that have been taking place beneath the city of Paris for centuries.

I find inspiration everywhere to write my novels. In Paris I’ll talk to a cafe owner, interview a policewoman, read an article in the paper or overhear a conversation on the bus and it gets my mind spinning ... that what if ...? pops up and it could be a story.

Some assistants, myself included, expected to understand their students better than most, given that we were in high school not too long ago. We often receive a rude awakening.

For the protaganist, Pierre Arthens, food is everything. As France's greatest food critic he has eaten the world's finest dishes. In his final days, he is obsessed with rediscovering a flavour from his past. He searches through memories of his childhood, adolescence and adulthood, desperate to taste it once more.

If you want to feel like you have experienced a bit of Corsica without leaving the French mainland, plan a trip to the Ardèche region. The region is filled with stunning views, local products and extremely intriguing places to visit.

I was glad I had been learning the language when we arrived for our appointment at Château d’Yquem for a guided tour of the vineyard – the tour was given totally in French... I did appreciate being able to understand enough to learn how this magnificent wine is produced.