40 Trips to France: Plus a French Christmas Feast with Annie & Elyse

40 Trips to France: Plus a French Christmas Feast with Annie & Elyse opens with host Annie Sargent welcoming back longtime traveler Janice Chung, who has now visited France 40 times. This episode explores why France keeps calling people back and how repeat travel changes the way you experience the country.

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Janice explains why France feels like home to her. She talks about slowing down, speaking French even when it's imperfect, and choosing experiences over checklists. She shares how she plans trips around things that excite her. Sometimes it's a race, like the Adidas 10K in Paris. Sometimes it's a scenic train ride in the Ardèche. Other times it's simply walking for hours and letting the day unfold.

Annie and Janice discuss favorite regions, especially lesser-known places like the Aveyron. They talk about beautiful villages, local food like aligot, and why these areas remain less touristy. Janice also explains how she mixes trains, rental cars, biking, and walking depending on where she goes.

This episode also looks at how France has changed over the decades. Janice remembers dirtier streets, heavier smoking, and more car traffic. Today, she notices cleaner cities, contactless payments everywhere, and easier trip planning thanks to technology. Prices have gone up, especially in Paris, but great value still exists outside major cities.

The episode ends with a festive magazine segment. Annie Sargent and Elyse Rivin talk about French Christmas traditions. They cover chocolate, foie gras, oysters, cheese, bûche de Noël, and how bakeries prepare for the holidays. It's practical, warm, and very French.

If you love real conversations about travel, food, and life in France, this episode is for you. Subscribe to the Join Us in France Travel Podcast on your favorite podcast app, on Spotify, or on YouTube so you never miss an episode.

Table of Contents for this Episode

• [00:00:16] Introduction and Welcome
• [00:00:31] Today on the podcast
• [00:00:49] Podcast supporters
• [00:01:20] Magazine segment
• [00:02:31] 40 Visits to France with Janice Chung
• [00:02:57] Why France Feels Like Home
• [00:04:02] Exploring Lesser-Known Regions
• [00:04:49] Unique Experiences in Ardèche
• [00:07:38] Running and Racing in France
• [00:08:53] Travel Preferences and Challenges
• [00:09:58] Biking Adventures in France
• [00:17:12] Changes in France Over the Years
• [00:22:14] Travel Duration and Cat Care
• [00:23:05] Discovering a Love for France
• [00:23:54] Starting a Travel Blog
• [00:25:22] Unique Travel Experiences
• [00:26:16] Booking Trips and Accommodations
• [00:28:14] Navigating French Language and Culture
• [00:29:55] Favorite French Foods
• [00:30:46] Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors
• [00:33:02] Cash and Contactless Payments
• [00:35:03] Booking accommodation
• [00:39:26] Medical Encounters in France
• [00:42:51] Final Thoughts and Future Plans
• [00:43:32] Christmas Foods with Elyse and Annie

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