I remember an English gentleman asking 'what do you mean they are closed?' Nope, not a siësta. A whole month. He thought it a miracle anything happened in France. Well, between the siësta hours and August, it does. 🤣
I think the "what do you mean, closed" panic is a rite of passage! I did my own version at a bank 😂 It really is a small miracle the country keeps running at all, and yet it does.
I love France for exactly THIS. Right now, I am in Greece, and they even top such relaxed life every single day, with big smiles at that. Southern Europe is restoring my soul.
A month dedicated to Vacations. It sounds like so much fun, yet how is it possible? What an interesting life you are living. I'm wondering if your childrens' accents will be American with a French influence or French with an American twang.
Great question Barbara! As of right now they have flawless French accents when speaking French, and so far their English still sounds very American. But the jury's still out!
This is so funny. As an Italian, I completely get it. At the end of July, when you are trying to create or plan something, the only answer you get is “we will think about it in September”
This essay reminds me of childhood summers in Provence, and a pace I couldn’t recognize as Les vacances, because it simply was all I knew. Happy parents, long siestas, water-logged kids.
In our little corner of Paris, the August energy is so slow and quiet, the late-evening light intoxicating, everyone is somewhere else.
(As opposed to my year round Maine— where we hide all of August! And July.. and some of June).
The intoxicating late light with everyone gone, yes, that's exactly the August feeling here too. Lucky you to have Provence as the baseline. Maine gets you the June-and-July version, apparently!
It definitely took some getting used to at the beginning! 😅 But I embrace the August vacation with open arms now. Currently getting ready for a week in Germany followed by two weeks in Ireland and Scotland and I couldn’t be happier
I'm so glad your kids get to grow up with that slower French countryside pace—and that you're getting to use to it alongside them. I don't think the constant busyness we normalize here in the U.S. is doing our nervous systems any favors. 🤍
The nervous system thing is so real, you feel the difference in your body once the pace drops. Learning it alongside the kids has been humbling and good. Thank you, Karla 💛
You may already know this, Kamille, but I just found out last summer that there are good deals to be had on flooring and other building supplies in August. As you say, builders are on holidays, and apparently inventory is coming. I got very good deals on the flooring for the renovation of my house this way.
I did not know this and I'm thrilled you told me! Good flooring deals while everyone's at the beach is the loophole of the century. Off to investigate 😊 Thank you, Suzanne!
We lived in Lyon one summer, and it was magical. It was right after Covid, and more things opened than usual to make up for lost profit.
I lived in Spain 12+ years prior. Being here now in August,I am actually shocked at how many people are here this year, how many shops and services are open in the afternoons (currently waiting at the gyno!), and how many people I can pull together for my August 15 birthday. People in Spain can afford the six weeks away anymore.
Ha, commenting from the waiting room is real dedication! And you're onto something, fewer people can swing the full six weeks now, so more stays open. Happy early birthday, by the way!
Thanks, Dan! And oui! It's been quite a road, though the transformation is very much a work in progress. Some days the Française wins, some days the American comes roaring back 😂
I wish America was like this! No way would "corporate merica" allow its servants to be happy and enjoy their lives. I love Europe. Everyone should try to do international travel to realize how things should be and how messed up things are here
How does one get groceries or does everyone plan ahead? Refrigerators and freezers are smaller so I’m curious as to how this works? Does this apply to all working class people too or just middle class & wealthy? I love the concept of a month long siesta for everyone!
I remember an English gentleman asking 'what do you mean they are closed?' Nope, not a siësta. A whole month. He thought it a miracle anything happened in France. Well, between the siësta hours and August, it does. 🤣
I think the "what do you mean, closed" panic is a rite of passage! I did my own version at a bank 😂 It really is a small miracle the country keeps running at all, and yet it does.
I love France for exactly THIS. Right now, I am in Greece, and they even top such relaxed life every single day, with big smiles at that. Southern Europe is restoring my soul.
Greece might actually out-relax France, you're right! Something about the whole region just lets your shoulders drop. Enjoy every minute, Anne 😊
A month dedicated to Vacations. It sounds like so much fun, yet how is it possible? What an interesting life you are living. I'm wondering if your childrens' accents will be American with a French influence or French with an American twang.
Great question Barbara! As of right now they have flawless French accents when speaking French, and so far their English still sounds very American. But the jury's still out!
This is so funny. As an Italian, I completely get it. At the end of July, when you are trying to create or plan something, the only answer you get is “we will think about it in September”
The Italian version sounds identical, right down to the shrug 😂 September really is where all the July plans go to wait.
This essay reminds me of childhood summers in Provence, and a pace I couldn’t recognize as Les vacances, because it simply was all I knew. Happy parents, long siestas, water-logged kids.
In our little corner of Paris, the August energy is so slow and quiet, the late-evening light intoxicating, everyone is somewhere else.
(As opposed to my year round Maine— where we hide all of August! And July.. and some of June).
The intoxicating late light with everyone gone, yes, that's exactly the August feeling here too. Lucky you to have Provence as the baseline. Maine gets you the June-and-July version, apparently!
It’s funny to think that, as a child Provence felt like punishment, because my peers went to Cape Cod.
We can learn a lot about putting life on pause from the French in August, lunchtime closures, and school schedules.
Lovely to have a peek into your world.
Ahhhh August ;) Our favorite boulangerie downstairs is closed for the month and I am heartbroken, mais c'est la vie !
Mourning your boulangerie is completely valid, and I feel you! Those four weeks feel very long without the good bread 😂😭
It definitely took some getting used to at the beginning! 😅 But I embrace the August vacation with open arms now. Currently getting ready for a week in Germany followed by two weeks in Ireland and Scotland and I couldn’t be happier
Now that's a proper French August, three countries and zero guilt. You've fully converted. Enjoy every minute of it!
I'm so glad your kids get to grow up with that slower French countryside pace—and that you're getting to use to it alongside them. I don't think the constant busyness we normalize here in the U.S. is doing our nervous systems any favors. 🤍
The nervous system thing is so real, you feel the difference in your body once the pace drops. Learning it alongside the kids has been humbling and good. Thank you, Karla 💛
You may already know this, Kamille, but I just found out last summer that there are good deals to be had on flooring and other building supplies in August. As you say, builders are on holidays, and apparently inventory is coming. I got very good deals on the flooring for the renovation of my house this way.
I did not know this and I'm thrilled you told me! Good flooring deals while everyone's at the beach is the loophole of the century. Off to investigate 😊 Thank you, Suzanne!
We lived in Lyon one summer, and it was magical. It was right after Covid, and more things opened than usual to make up for lost profit.
I lived in Spain 12+ years prior. Being here now in August,I am actually shocked at how many people are here this year, how many shops and services are open in the afternoons (currently waiting at the gyno!), and how many people I can pull together for my August 15 birthday. People in Spain can afford the six weeks away anymore.
Ha, commenting from the waiting room is real dedication! And you're onto something, fewer people can swing the full six weeks now, so more stays open. Happy early birthday, by the way!
From aggressively American to patient relaxed Française. It's been quote a road these last 2 years, Oui? Bravo!
Thanks, Dan! And oui! It's been quite a road, though the transformation is very much a work in progress. Some days the Française wins, some days the American comes roaring back 😂
How long a chunk must you take in the summer? I’m more a winter vacay girlie myself.
I wish America was like this! No way would "corporate merica" allow its servants to be happy and enjoy their lives. I love Europe. Everyone should try to do international travel to realize how things should be and how messed up things are here
How does one get groceries or does everyone plan ahead? Refrigerators and freezers are smaller so I’m curious as to how this works? Does this apply to all working class people too or just middle class & wealthy? I love the concept of a month long siesta for everyone!