There’s nothing quite like the pop of a champagne cork to set the tone for a celebration, is there? From the royal courts of France to the toasts of today’s weddings and grand openings, it is synonymous with the rich and famous.

But what makes Champagne, well, Champagne? How did a little bit of accidental chemistry create the world’s premier sparkling wine?

Let’s dive in and reveal the fascinating facts about France’s prized bubbly. And later in the show, I'll be joined by the Queen of Bubbles herself Cynthia Coutu, Founder of Delectabulles.

For full notes and details on today’s episode follow the links below:

• 5 Famous Champagne Brands And The Stories Behind Them
• 17 Champagne Facts And The History of Bubbly in France
• Top Tips For Visiting The Champagne Region In France, 2024
• Champagne Tasting for Beginners: A Guide to Enjoying Bubbly Like a Pro

Meet Cynthia Coutu

• The Delectabulles Website
• Facebook
• Instagram

I’m Kylie Lang, owner of Life in Rural France, a travel blog dedicated to helping others explore & discover all that France has to offer. On the blog, you’ll discover sections covering:

• City Guides - everything you need to know about visiting cities such as Paris, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Rouen, La Rochelle and many more.
• Moving to France - lots of resources to help you plan your move from visas and insurance to sim cards and watching TV.
• French Travel News - discover what’s happening in France, from festivals and events to the latest deals and offers.

If there is anything you’d like to know about living in France, the French culture or the history of this wonderful country, feel free to DM me on Instagram @lifeinruralfrance

We all know that the French are famous for their food, but which are the best food festivals in France? There are lots of great food festivals in France. From truffles, onions and chillies to lemons, strawberries and cherries, the French celebrate them all. And why not?

Attending one of these food festivals is hands down the best way to experience the food culture, meet the local artisans, and immerse yourself in the history of France. Nearly every fête has a legend or story behind it, so I hope you’re ready.

For full notes and details on today's episode follow the links below:

• 17 Food Festivals in France to Discover
• The Menton Lemon Festival
• The Strawberry Festival
• The Truffle Festival

I’m Kylie Lang, owner of Life in Rural France, a travel blog dedicated to helping others explore & discover all that France has to offer. On the blog, you’ll discover sections covering:

• City Guides - everything you need to know about visiting cities such as Paris, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Rouen, La Rochelle and many more.
• Moving to France - lots of resources to help you plan your move from visas and insurance to sim cards and watching TV.
• French Travel News - discover what’s happening in France, from festivals and events to the latest deals and offers.

If there is anything you’d like to know about living in France, the French culture or the history of this wonderful country, feel free to DM me on Instagram @lifeinruralfrance

How did Paris become the city of love? It’s known for being one of the most romantic cities in the world, but what is the true story behind it, and why is Paris the city of love?

The French Romanticism art movement flourished here, the Bohemian writers of Montmartre wrote about tortured lovers, and there is even a Wall of Love, but is there more to it than that?

You bet there is. There’s a whole history behind how Paris got the reputation for being the city of love, and it has nothing to do with movies, books or art.

For full notes and details on today's episode follow the links below:

• The Story Behind Paris Being The City Of Love
• The Love Story Of Heloise And Abelard

I’m Kylie Lang, owner of Life in Rural France, a travel blog dedicated to helping others explore & discover all that France has to offer. On the blog, you’ll discover sections covering:

• City Guides - everything you need to know about visiting cities such as Paris, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Rouen, La Rochelle and many more.
• Moving to France - lots of resources to help you plan your move from visas and insurance to sim cards and watching TV.
• French Travel News - discover what’s happening in France, from festivals and events to the latest deals and offers.

If there is anything you’d like to know about living in France, the French culture or the history of this wonderful country, feel free to DM me on Instagram @lifeinruralfrance

Looking for some more unusual places to add to your Paris bucket list that aren’t the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame or Louvre?

Living in France, only a two-hour train ride from Paris, I’m there quite often and, each time I go, I discover a new hidden gem.

From bookshops in 12th-century alleyways to teashops with views of the Seine River, there is so much to enjoy in Paris.

However, if you only have a limited time you’ll want to create an itinerary that’s a mix of tourist attractions and secret spots only the locals know. That way you cover all bases.

So in this episode, I'm helping you tick some things off your bucket list in Paris.

For full notes and details on today's episode follow the links below:

• The Tour of the Latin Quarter in Paris
• 20 Places for your Paris Bucket List in 2024

I’m Kylie Lang, owner of Life in Rural France, a travel blog dedicated to helping others explore & discover all that France has to offer. On the blog, you’ll discover sections covering:

• City Guides - everything you need to know about visiting cities such as Paris, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Rouen, La Rochelle and many more.
• Moving to France - lots of resources to help you plan your move from visas and insurance to sim cards and watching TV.
• French Travel News - discover what’s happening in France, from festivals and events to the latest deals and offers.

If there is anything you’d like to know about living in France, the French culture or the history of this wonderful country, feel free to DM me on Instagram @lifeinruralfrance

Ever wondered how you can be a dedicated Francophile whilst living on the other side of the world in Australia, meet my second guest, Loulabelle of Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles

She’s a rather special guest because she’s the host of another podcast with a show all about France. We’re doing a swap and guesting on each other’s podcast so we can both share our stories.

Loulabelle is an Aussie who loves all things French and is living in my old stomping ground of Melbourne - yes I lived in Australia for ten years before moving to France, so I loved chatting all things France, and Australia, and hearing Loulabelle share her knowledge of places I haven’t been to, as well as some I have. She’s entertaining and has so many fab stories to share with you all.

To find out more about Loulabelle and to listen to her podcast use the links below:

• Podcast Website
• Apple Podcasts
• Google Podcasts
• Spotify

I’m Kylie Lang, owner of Life in Rural France, a travel blog dedicated to helping others explore & discover all that France has to offer. On the blog, you’ll discover sections covering:

• City Guides - everything you need to know about visiting cities such as Paris, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Rouen, La Rochelle and many more.
• Moving to France - lots of resources to help you plan your move from visas and insurance to sim cards and watching TV.
• French Travel News - discover what’s happening in France, from festivals and events to the latest deals and offers.

If there is anything you’d like to know about living in France, the French culture or the history of this wonderful country, feel free to DM me on Instagram @lifeinruralfrance

France is renowned for its cuisine and French food, such as baguettes, croissants, and cheese, is synonymous with this country. But what about the famous food dishes in France? From the seafood dishes of Normandy and Brittany to the hearty casseroles of the Alsace region, every dish tells a story.

We all love to know the origins behind a dish and the French have plenty of stories to tell when it comes to food. So in this episode, we're exploring the origins of Coq au Vin, Boeuf Bourguignon, Moules Marinières, Tarte Tatin and Creme Brulee.

For full notes and details on today's episode follow the links below:

• Coq Au Vin - A Peasant Dish From Julius Ceasar
• Boeuf Bourguignon - A Beef Stew From Burgundy
• Moules Marinières - The Fisherman's Favourite
• Tarte Tatin - A Mistaken Apple Pie
• Crème Brûlée - The Perfect Caramelised Custard

I’m Kylie Lang, owner of Life in Rural France, a travel blog dedicated to helping others explore & discover all that France has to offer. On the blog, you’ll discover sections covering:

• City Guides - everything you need to know about visiting cities such as Paris, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Rouen, La Rochelle and many more.
• Moving to France - lots of resources to help you plan your move from visas and insurance to sim cards and watching TV.
• French Travel News - discover what’s happening in France, from festivals and events to the latest deals and offers.

If there is anything you’d like to know about living in France, the French culture or the history of this wonderful country, feel free to DM me on Instagram @lifeinruralfrance

Ever wondered why there are so many boulangeries in France or how to order what you want without feeling out of place?

Well, don’t worry, you aren’t alone, because so have I. When I first moved here, I was too scared to go into our local boulangerie because I had no idea what to ask for or what to do.

It was confusing, not to mention scary, as they are always filled with French people who confidently breezed in and out, leaving me feeling very intimidated.

Fast forward seven years, which is how long I’ve been living here, and “pas de probleme.”

I’m still nowhere near fluent in French, but I can proudly hold my own in a boulangerie. And by the end of this episode, so will you.

For full notes and details on today's episode follow the links below:

1. The Rules of a French Boulangerie
2. The Origin of the Baguette
3. How the Croissant Got To France

Use this link to follow Kylie on her new TikTok channel >>>

I’m Kylie Lang, owner of Life in Rural France, a travel blog dedicated to helping others explore & discover all that France has to offer. On the blog, you’ll discover sections covering:

• City Guides - everything you need to know about visiting cities such as Paris, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Rouen, La Rochelle and many more.
• Moving to France - lots of resources to help you plan your move from visas and insurance to sim cards and watching TV.
• French Travel News - discover what’s happening in France, from festivals and events to the latest deals and offers.

If there is anything you’d like to know about living in France, the French culture or the history of this wonderful country, feel free to DM me on Instagram @lifeinruralfrance

Are you ready to embrace your own version of escape to the Chateau?

I hope so because, in today’s episode, we’re going on a virtual tour of the magical world of Chateaux in the Charente region of France.

These stunning castles are straight out of a fairytale. You’ll feel like you’re stepping into the pages of a ladybird book and writing your own historic tale, the one where you’re the hero or heroine.

We’ll be exploring the fascinating history behind each chateau and sharing some interesting facts and legends. After all, we all love a good legend to spark the imagination and transport ourselves back in time.

For all the details and images on the four chateaux read the full article >>>

I’m Kylie Lang, owner of Life in Rural France, a travel blog dedicated to helping others explore & discover all that France has to offer. On the blog, you’ll discover sections covering:

• City Guides - everything you need to know about visiting cities such as Paris, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Rouen, La Rochelle and many more.
• Moving to France - lots of resources to help you plan your move from visas and insurance to sim cards and watching TV.
• French Travel News - discover what’s happening in France, from festivals and events to the latest deals and offers.

If there is anything you’d like to know about living in France, the French culture or the history of this wonderful country, feel free to DM me on Instagram @lifeinruralfrance