Saint-Pierre-d'Aubézies , a commune with 59 inhabitants hosted a wonderful party and due to association by approximation, I was invited. It was a pleasure to be there and to meet some new friends. The gentleman named Bob that sat across from me is from Lupiac. He told us that he has stored away a private collection of his grandmother's recipes from the 18th century and invited us for apéros . The recipes are securely protected and guarded for a reason that I could not quite u

I am very proud and thrilled to be given a full page spread in the Cœur Sud-Ouest Tourisme  brochure for this summer! We are in store for a very big season that has already started off great with the opening of the new restaurant in Bassoues and the Marciac Jazz Festival in the horizon at the end of July. For me personally, it is the beginning of a very important relationship for opening the Gers up to slow tourism and continuing to keep it both a "Welcoming and Leaving Place

It took my 84 year old Belgian neighbor-friend to finally show me a walk right outside the door that leads to the Way of St James or Chemins de St Jacques de Compostelle. Prior to this introduction, I had no idea what was beyond the forest and had hardly heard of the Camino. Once again I am very thankful for the people who have appeared as guides to help settle into a new life here, it has proven to me that there are angels living on this earth and they find you when you need

I both laughed and cried when I read this beautifully written piece. It feels wonderful and surprisingly emotional to see the result of...

Spring has sprung in the Gers and it is a time of many new beginnings. People have often asked "When is the best time to visit." I think there is almost nothing as beautiful as this moment, now in SW France. Everything is in bloom, there maybe a few rainy days, its very unpredictable- the only thing one could depend on from the weather app is that it is consistently incorrect! But the farmers and the grapes love the cool, misty evenings and sunny days, and I think this just

I am excited to welcome visitors on a tour to meet the local artisans. Yesterday we had the great pleasure to meet Sue Ure  a master...

Following the fall of the Roman Empire the construction of walled medieval cities became a strategy for defending the borders of the major feudal lords. This transformative period gave rise to the Renaissance spanning approximately from 476 to 1492, a time characterized not only by the resurgence of art and culture but also by the establishment of fortified settlements that served as bastions of safety and community. These cities, often strategically located on hills or near

It was a pleasure to have been invited to attend the Inauguration of Casa Della at Domaine de Bilé. The space is outstanding, and perfect to host cooking classes and workshops with visiting chefs. I am looking forward to welcoming a few wonderful, innovative chefs and culinary experts here in the spring and summer, please stay tuned. https://domaine-de-bile.com/

One could not ask for a better Taste of Gascony than the Portes Ouvertes today at Domaine Sergent. Such a wonderful, warm celebration of community and cultural pride. Next time, I’m joining in the choir too! https://www.domaine-sergent.com/

A favorite thing here are the Hunters Dinners at the salon des fête in the village. Since living here I have come across deer, hare and even experienced the magnificence of a herd of wild boar (from a distance) with the big ones in front and the babies in the middle galloping full speed across a nearby field. It is a ritual that the hunters give back to the community from what was taken over the year, and I look forward to this on Sunday to enjoy with neighbors and friends.

There is something so magical about first impressions and those that were captured in my morning walk to the Alliance Française de Toulouse - France  for intensive French. I only hope the magic continues and I will be able to hold my own in conversations with friends and neighbors once I return back home.

The Market Experience at Victor Hugo Aside from the food and wine, my most favorite thing here are the "micro-interactions" that occur each day. I look back on my weekend in Toulouse and the most memorable part of it is from the "lamb lady". There she is, the grande dame of the stand in the Victor Hugo market gorgeous in her wooly fur coat looking elegant as ever with perfect lipstick and eyeshadow while gracefully spooning up lamb chops with her bare hands to weigh, fold int