France's Provence through the lens

Hi Ashley, where are you from and what brought you to France?

I'm from Montréal, Canada. I'm an anglophone from a French province but it seems that I've found myself again in a French society. I studied fine art photography in Montréal and Florence. Now, I work as a photographer in Provence, France. I'm the creator of the lifestyle blog CuriousProvence.

My man is a complete francophile. I'm a foodie. I love the work-life balance here. It seemed like a good idea!

What is the process for a Canadian citizen to move to France?

Thankfully for me, the initial process was quite simple, as I also have a British passport. As France is part of the European Union, for the time being I am able to work and live here. The most difficult procedures are obtaining a bank account and medical care. These can only be obtained through your work (and even then it can be tricky).

Why Provence?

For the landscape, the amazing produce, the weather, the slower pace of life.

How does it compare to Florence where you lived before?

Provence has a very similar landscape to Tuscany. For example, I tell people that the Luberon, a region in Provence, is the Tuscany of France. It's difficult to compare the two as the Italians are just so, well, Italian.

What has surprised you the most about your life in France?

The complete lack of foreign food.

How is accommodation in Provence, and what type is available for expats?

Accommodation is expensive in Provence, depending on the town you would like to live in. To find the combination of job and accommodation, when we first moved to France, we housesat.

What are the local labor market's features? Is it easy for an expat to be hired?

If you are perfectly bilingual and have a business degree, you can easily find work in the city. However, I live in the countryside and don't have a business degree! It's easy to find work as a waiter in a restaurant but to really do what you want to do, it can be difficult in a job market that runs on tourism.

How do you find the lifestyle in Provence?

The local lifestyle is very laid back and all about eating and enjoying the little routines of life. For example, people respect the sieste hour (or three) after lunch and an apéritif of rosé and olives before dinner.

Have you been able to adapt to the French society?

I know that I will never be French to the French people. However, having returned from vacation in other countries, I've noticed that the way I think is more and more French! I think that despite this, I will forever be learning social cues and faux-pas the hard way.

How is the everyday life for you in Provence?

When I work at the market, I wake up at 6 am and drive for maybe an hour through vineyards and olive orchards to work. I have a rather large breakfast with the guys and work until early afternoon. In the evening, I have a glass of wine with my partner in our little garden and cook something delicious for supper. Otherwise, I walk to the café, eat a “pain au chocolat” and edit photos. I'll have to put aside time for talking to neighbours in the street, as this takes at least an hour a day!

Could you share your most memorable experience in France?

The other day I was buying cheese at the market and a mother was giving a very strong goat cheese to her 18-month old to taste. She liked it! I feel like that wouldn't have happened anywhere else.

What is your opinion on the cost of living in Provence?

There are affordable apartments for rent, you just have to accept European sizes of fridges, washing machines, etc. Houses are quite expensive here and so are cars. But food is relatively cheap and delicious.

How do you spend your free time?

I love a good book and a cup of tea. Otherwise, I try to go hiking in the beautiful countryside surrounding my village. I cook a lot and if I'm feeling really relaxed I draw.

What do you think of the local cuisine? What are your favourite dishes?

I like the soupe au pistou (pesto soup), moules frites (mussels and fries), daube à la provençal (Provence's version of boeuf bourguignon), and soupe à la barigoule (artichoke and bacon soup).

What is your favorite thing about France?

The continuous demand for quality over quantity.

What do you miss the most about your home country?

People are more open in Canada, and I miss the optimistic approach to life.

What has motivated you to write your blog “Curious Provence”?

There are parts of my life that are very idealistic – I wanted to share these experiences to encourage people to perhaps get out of their confort zones and do the same. Also, I wanted to share my insider knowledge for people visiting this area. Everything has so much more meaning when you understand the cultural traditions of a place. CuriousProvence is a great excuse to find out as much about the area as possible. The blog has also helped me connect with interesting people as well as significantly improve my computer skills.

Could you give us some tips that soon-to-be-expatriates in France will benefit from?

I would suggest to contact https://www.expat.communities as soon as you arrive. Do your research and the best thing to allow you to integrate is to have a job in a relatively large town before you arrive.

What are your plans for the future?

My plans seem to be changing daily. It takes a while for you to be sure of your place in a new society. All I know is that I'm looking forward to a life full of delicious food, creativity and exploration!