Author Archives: kmazz
La Maladie
We’ve had the misfortune of having to do a deep dive on the Maladie Assurance, or the French national health insurance, in the last few months. I am going to be brief in talking about our experiences and what we’ve … Continue reading
Posted in expat, France, health care, Nice, France
5 Comments
Les Gilets Jaunes
Last week I spent a few days in Paris, between two weekends. Several US-based friends emailed me to suggest I avoid the city because of the news reports of protests and violence by the Gilets Jaunes “movement.” It never entered … Continue reading
Posted in culture, expat, expat life, France, Gilets Jaunes, Nice, France, protests
10 Comments
The Italian Market
It’s been years that I’ve wanted to visit the huge Friday market in the Italian border town of Ventimiglia. This week we made it there, undeterred by cold and rainy weather. We were so glad we did. Now, Ventimiglia the … Continue reading
Posted in expat, expat life, food, France, markets, Nice, France, Travel
6 Comments
La Cuisine
There’s a lot to be said about French food, but the south is not where the best dishes originated. So while Nice is not a culinary hotspot, it has its high points. Among them are soupe de poisson (fish soup), … Continue reading
Posted in culture, expat, expat life, food, France, Nice, France
7 Comments
Les Fumeurs
You can’t be a non-smoker and not be shocked, saddened and sickened by the popularity of cigarettes in France. In some French minds, smoking cigarettes is one of many indicators of Gallic superiority to Americans, with their puritanically oppressive anti-smoking … Continue reading
Posted in culture, expat, expat life, France, Nice, France
16 Comments
Weather
Despite its reputation as a haven from bad weather, the French Riviera does experience fall and winter seasons, during which it rains regularly. This year, there’s been more rain than usual. Here in Nice, we’re lucky it’s just been lots … Continue reading
Posted in climate, expat, expat life, France, Nice, France
9 Comments
Céret and Collioure
Onwards to Occitanie, and Céret and Collioure. These small towns are very near the Spanish border, Barcelona a two-hour drive away. We took a forested mountain road to the border, ears popping, taking in peaceful views over wild country and the Pyrénées … Continue reading
Posted in Céret, Collioure, expat, expat life, France, Occitanie, Travel
7 Comments
