15.28 - France in Summer: Today and Yesteryear
In this FREE edition of le Bulletin, I encourage you to dive in and enjoy France this summer!
Today at a Glance: Your FREE weekly newsletter
Bonjour mes amis !
It’s wonderful to have you back here with me today! Bienvenue !
In this newsletter, you’ll find an immersion taking us from the very north of France to the South and from today to yesterday.
Watch out for the PAID subscriber edition of le Bulletin on Saturday this weekend: “ 15.28.a - From Newsprint to Yellow Jersey: The Unlikely Birth of the Tour de France.”- It’s not too late to subscribe←
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À bientôt !
Warmly,
Judy - 12.07.2025
1.MyFrenchLife™ Magazine new articles
“There are many talented contributors to MyFrenchLife Magazine and I thank all of you for sharing your experiences with us in such an engaging manner.
You take us right across France & deep into many worm-holes. We delight in discovering
and learning more about France beyond the cliché”
Merci
Judy
a) →Boulogne-sur-Mer: History, Architecture, Fishing, Things to See & Do, incl. Tour de France
by Caroline McCormick-Clarke
Written by Caroline McCormick-Clarke in Boulogne-sur-Mer, just before the commencement of the 2025 TdF, this week.
The 2025 Grand Départ will be contested in northern France. Stage 1 starts and finishes in the centre of Lille and covers 185 km via a northwest loop, with the sprinters expected to fight for the first stage win and the maillot jaune (yellow jersey).
The riders will enjoy several nights in the same hotel near Lille, with stage 2 from Lauwin-Planque, south of Lille, to Boulogne-sur-Mer on the coast.
At 209 km, this is the longest stage of the 2025 Tour…”
Read this article in full & find out all about Boulogne-sur-Mer TdF and beyond ←
b) →A day at the Calanque de Sormiou, Marseille: A hot walk to a cool beach
by Nick Garnett
It's a long, hot walk but worth every metre...
Our first visit to the Calanque de Sormiou was a classic case of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat…” writes Nick
c) My discovery of old French menus!→
by Jennifer Bragg
I did it again: I made a terrific discovery using the archives of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, and it inspired me.
There’s an entire section of menus in the National Library’s digital archives (link at the bottom if you’re curious). I could not help but pore over the glorious illustrations and read through the historic vocabulary of food preparations and styles, though some menus are very hard to read…”
d) →What is the Tour de France bicycle race: Gain a complete understanding…
by Pierre Guernier — [ read on Pierre’s site]
First organised in 1903, the Tour has grown into a grand spectacle of athleticism, strategy, drama, and endurance, watched by millions both at the roadside and on screens around the globe.
Every summer, the race winds its way through stunning French landscapes: from Alpine mountain passes to rolling vineyards, sun-drenched villages to windswept coastlines.
2. Does your family have a connection with France?
As I’ve been discovering that many of you have heritage stories and French, recently I asked you if your family has a ‘connection’ with France, and below is what you (FREE subscribers) told me.
The poll I took with PAID subscribers showed a different profile…
Also, I’ve offered them a personal service to help them with their ancestry. If you’re interested in that, you may consider upgrading your subscription.
For those who completed the simple poll, thank you for sharing your opinion.
Judy
3. Merci mille fois
“Thank you for subscribing to ‘le Bulletin’ the newsletter of MyFrenchLife Magazine.”
Judy MacMahon
Chers amis (dear friends)
Every week, as I prepare this FREE 'le Bulletin,' I envision you, my dear readers, settling in to discover something new and wonderful about France. It's a personal ritual for me, one that reinforces the incredible bond we share through our mutual appreciation for this extraordinary country. From the grand narratives of the Tour de France to the intimate charm of discovering old French menus, each piece is chosen with you in mind.
I often reflect on how much we learn from each other in this community. Your insights, shared through comments and interactions, enrich the experience for everyone, including me. It’s this two-way street of discovery and sharing that makes 'le Bulletin' so much more than just a newsletter; it’s a conversation among friends who adore France.
So, as this edition concludes, please accept my heartfelt thanks for your continued support and enthusiasm. I cherish our weekly connection and look forward to sharing more authentic French stories with you soon.
Warmly,
Judy
judy@myfrenchlife.org
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Loved Nick Garnett’s descriptive and appealing article on Calanque de Sormiou, near Marseille. I could almost smell the lavender & pine. I have yet to travel west of the Carmargue. This is something I must put right.
There's nothing more refreshing on a hot summer day in the south of France than taking a dip in the mer of Les Calanques! And there is nothing more thrilling than accidentally watching the Tour de France rolling in down the Champs-Élysées! Loved this. Brought me right back. xx