ABSOLUMENT is six months old—joyeux demi-anniversaire, mon petit Substack ! To celebrate, I'm sharing some parts of French culture that I've been adoring since moving here a year-and-a-half ago. The food, the architectural details, the politeness, etc.
Lovely to read you. I can relate in so many way: new to France ( 6 yrs), in love with souther France ( we live in Basin d’Arcachon), huge architectural and old design fan, mega vintage collector and curator, and… getting married in just a few days ( of course in 3 vintage outfits). I am excited to read you as I discovered you just recently. Enjoy life and let your pencil dance on papers for you and us, the others❤️Bienvenue to the magical France
Thank you tons for your thoughtful comment—and for becoming a paid subscriber, wow! I have so much to say. Congratulations on 6 years in France AND for your wedding, which is happening VERY SOON. I hope you have the best, most romantic week possible!!!!
Cheers also to our 3 different vintage outfits...I'd love to compare notes on what we're wearing. Merci mille fois et félicitations !!!
Also! I learned about Basin d'Arcachon thanks to you. My almost-husband is French/Basque, so we spend a lot of time with his family in Hendaye, which isn't too far from you. We're getting married there too, which is such a dream!
You are incredible!!!! I love the amount of detail you went into--thank you so much for sharing these special bits with me (and publicly)! I already love all three outfits, especially the sound of the Thierry Mugler dress. Oh gosh, I hope you have the most wonderful time!!!! The goodness starts tomorrow! Happy wedding weekend! ❤️
If you're interested I can send you what I'm wearing via private message. I want to keep it a secret from Substack's eyes for the moment. :)
I will definitely let you know if I can make it up to Cap Ferret to meet one day. Thank you for the offer! I already know it would be full of great conversation!
Being born and growing up in the South of France in the Catalogne region, I was particularly sensitive to your love letter. It's among the sweetest things I've read on Substack 🤍 (PS: team pain au chocolat!)
Different team but same love for the pastry which is what matters! I find the ongoing battle ref amusing but it's quite weird to see people get upset over a word, like if you want to call them chocolate pockets I'm fine with that too hahaha
The chocolate pockets comment made me laugh out loud! I would love to call them that, honestly. It's by far my favorite pastry, so I agree that the love for the food is all that really matters in the end!
Vous avez de la chance d'être né et d'avoir grandi ici !!! I hope you are loving Germany. I got to finally see a little corner of Germany a couple of weeks ago and was charmed by it!
I love the texture, color and overall character of all the architecture you showed us ❤️ it’s hard to see how here in America every building becomes a replicate of the other: gray, plain towers with no personality.
I know so much of it is related to European countries being built so much earlier than the US. So it makes sense that France could have a random pharmacy exist in a gorgeous stone building made in 1300, BUT our contemporary American architecture could still make some sort of effort to be more beautiful, thoughtful, and/or well-made! So many corners are cut and the artisanal trades are dwindling. It is depressing to think about--and it's something that comes to my mind often!!
I love my job and feel very luck to have it. I double majored in art history and museum studies in undergrad and my Master's is in Library and Information Sciences (with a concentration in archiving and preservation of historic material). While most of my jobs were in retail from my teens until mid-20s, I did as many volunteer/intern/temporary project jobs as I could in museums and galleries. Then, I began working at the Eames House in 2015 (giving tours, working on architecture and object conservation projects, etc.) and have been with the Eames family ever since, now working as the Eames Office's Archivist for the last 4+ years. My dream job in every way!!! Let me know if you have more questions. As you can probably see, I love talking about it.
I am obsessed with the details of France—from the food to the people and even the highway signs! There’s something beautiful about having people watching into your culture. Yay for 6 months of Substack!
Hola , Muchos De Los Detalles De La Cultura Francesa , Me Recuerdan A La Cultura Española. Ya Han Pasado Seis Meses De Tú Fabuloso Boletín , Espero Y Deseo , Que Sigas Durante Mucho Tiempo En Substack. Un Saludo.
I love the ritual of everybody opening and closing their shutters to start and end the day! In Asia, it also feels like bakery culture is a whole thing—it's not uncommon to just pop into a bakery for a breakfast pastry every day in Taiwan. I just can't imagine that happening in the U.S. Loved reading this so much and getting a little peek into your observations as an American in France! Keep them coming 🫶
Thank you so much for the positivity! I am always a little nervous to publicly share my thoughts on France only because I worry that I'll accidentally offend someone. But it's so interesting to note the cultural differences—even the ones as small as shutters! Glad you can relate on the enchantment of that one. :)
I am obsessed with the architecture and the colors and the details in France. That has been my favorite part of walking around the cities I’ve visited. I have taken about a billion photos.
Hi Kelsey! I’m an American in the south of France too, I’ve been here about 3 years so far 🥰 this post is everything, SO many of the same things I love about France as well, although I *still* have not mastered all the shutters ha!
Oh incredible, hello! What city do you live in? I have only met one American while in Toulouse, but as soon as we began hanging out, she moved up to Paris! Congrats on three years!!
Some of those old shutters can be tricky! We have the ones with the crank at my apartment and while they're less charming, they're way easier to manage.
Hi! I live in Provence, in a tiny tiny town in the eastern Luberon! It’s so charming, full of life and quirks and everyone has been super kind and welcoming, determined to go against stereotypes ha! I’ve not met many other Americans in my area either, although there’s been rumors a couple moved to town recently and it is THE hot topic! I’ve never been to Toulouse, but I’ve heard it’s lovely! I’m new to your Substack, but I’m so excited to be reading about your experiences, it seems like we love many of the same things about France 🤍🇫🇷
I'm pretty sure one of my old friends from LA visits her aunt in Luberon a couple of times a year. I remember her always talking about it and it sounds like a real fantasy of a place! It seems like you're loving it and I'm so happy for you!!!
That's way too funny about the gossip of the town. I hope you're able to meet the mystery couple!
Thank you so, so much for following along! Happy to have a new Substack friend who can relate to this crazy (and rewarding) experience!
I love this - we have a house in France and have been staying for holidays for over 20 years - the things you notice STILL make me smile and make me love French culture so much
Oh!! I think I took your comment of "in a few days" too literally and thought it was this weekend. May 9-13 is still in a few days though! So much happiness for you!!! Thank you again for your kindness, Lori!
I already forgot a HUGE one that I love: the hour of the snack!!! Every day at 4/5pm, all of France stops to take le goûter.
Lovely to read you. I can relate in so many way: new to France ( 6 yrs), in love with souther France ( we live in Basin d’Arcachon), huge architectural and old design fan, mega vintage collector and curator, and… getting married in just a few days ( of course in 3 vintage outfits). I am excited to read you as I discovered you just recently. Enjoy life and let your pencil dance on papers for you and us, the others❤️Bienvenue to the magical France
Hello/bonjour!
Thank you tons for your thoughtful comment—and for becoming a paid subscriber, wow! I have so much to say. Congratulations on 6 years in France AND for your wedding, which is happening VERY SOON. I hope you have the best, most romantic week possible!!!!
Cheers also to our 3 different vintage outfits...I'd love to compare notes on what we're wearing. Merci mille fois et félicitations !!!
Also! I learned about Basin d'Arcachon thanks to you. My almost-husband is French/Basque, so we spend a lot of time with his family in Hendaye, which isn't too far from you. We're getting married there too, which is such a dream!
You are incredible!!!! I love the amount of detail you went into--thank you so much for sharing these special bits with me (and publicly)! I already love all three outfits, especially the sound of the Thierry Mugler dress. Oh gosh, I hope you have the most wonderful time!!!! The goodness starts tomorrow! Happy wedding weekend! ❤️
If you're interested I can send you what I'm wearing via private message. I want to keep it a secret from Substack's eyes for the moment. :)
I will definitely let you know if I can make it up to Cap Ferret to meet one day. Thank you for the offer! I already know it would be full of great conversation!
Being born and growing up in the South of France in the Catalogne region, I was particularly sensitive to your love letter. It's among the sweetest things I've read on Substack 🤍 (PS: team pain au chocolat!)
Oh my goodness, I love your comment! Thank you so much! It means so much to me, especially as someone who was born and raised here.
Wait, I always forget that the south/southeast regions also say pain au chocolat! A shame that we're on different teams. ;)
Different team but same love for the pastry which is what matters! I find the ongoing battle ref amusing but it's quite weird to see people get upset over a word, like if you want to call them chocolate pockets I'm fine with that too hahaha
The chocolate pockets comment made me laugh out loud! I would love to call them that, honestly. It's by far my favorite pastry, so I agree that the love for the food is all that really matters in the end!
I was born and raised in France, and left for Germany about twelve years ago. Your post made me miss France a little bit :')
Vous avez de la chance d'être né et d'avoir grandi ici !!! I hope you are loving Germany. I got to finally see a little corner of Germany a couple of weeks ago and was charmed by it!
I love the texture, color and overall character of all the architecture you showed us ❤️ it’s hard to see how here in America every building becomes a replicate of the other: gray, plain towers with no personality.
Thank you! I completely agree!!!
I know so much of it is related to European countries being built so much earlier than the US. So it makes sense that France could have a random pharmacy exist in a gorgeous stone building made in 1300, BUT our contemporary American architecture could still make some sort of effort to be more beautiful, thoughtful, and/or well-made! So many corners are cut and the artisanal trades are dwindling. It is depressing to think about--and it's something that comes to my mind often!!
J'adore ce substack! Also your job sounds so cool. How did you get into museum work?
Merci, Lauren!!
I love my job and feel very luck to have it. I double majored in art history and museum studies in undergrad and my Master's is in Library and Information Sciences (with a concentration in archiving and preservation of historic material). While most of my jobs were in retail from my teens until mid-20s, I did as many volunteer/intern/temporary project jobs as I could in museums and galleries. Then, I began working at the Eames House in 2015 (giving tours, working on architecture and object conservation projects, etc.) and have been with the Eames family ever since, now working as the Eames Office's Archivist for the last 4+ years. My dream job in every way!!! Let me know if you have more questions. As you can probably see, I love talking about it.
I am obsessed with the details of France—from the food to the people and even the highway signs! There’s something beautiful about having people watching into your culture. Yay for 6 months of Substack!
Thank you again for the big dose of motivation to start this!!!
honestly so happy you did!!! I’m loving it
Thank you!!!
What a beautiful place to call home!!
Thank you!!! I am still pinching myself!
I loved reading this! Isn’t it great to adopt a beginner’s mindset every now and then?
I’m also on a duolingo journey to better my French, I’m hoping to get to practice some of it next year🇫🇷
Totally great—and incredibly humbling! Ooh, if you want someone to high five on Duolingo, feel free to add me at @kelseyyrose!
That’s so sweet, merci beaucoup😉
It's always so fun to have friends on there and to keep each other motivated! Bonne chance !
Hola , Muchos De Los Detalles De La Cultura Francesa , Me Recuerdan A La Cultura Española. Ya Han Pasado Seis Meses De Tú Fabuloso Boletín , Espero Y Deseo , Que Sigas Durante Mucho Tiempo En Substack. Un Saludo.
Hola ! Thank you so, so, very much! You're always one of my biggest supporters on here and I am always grateful for your wise words!
I love the ritual of everybody opening and closing their shutters to start and end the day! In Asia, it also feels like bakery culture is a whole thing—it's not uncommon to just pop into a bakery for a breakfast pastry every day in Taiwan. I just can't imagine that happening in the U.S. Loved reading this so much and getting a little peek into your observations as an American in France! Keep them coming 🫶
Thank you so much for the positivity! I am always a little nervous to publicly share my thoughts on France only because I worry that I'll accidentally offend someone. But it's so interesting to note the cultural differences—even the ones as small as shutters! Glad you can relate on the enchantment of that one. :)
I am obsessed with the architecture and the colors and the details in France. That has been my favorite part of walking around the cities I’ve visited. I have taken about a billion photos.
I am still beaming that you got to visit multiple cities in France this trip. Please share your billion of photos!!
I definitely will! I am so excited to see how all of this inspiration filters into my art.
Hi Kelsey! I’m an American in the south of France too, I’ve been here about 3 years so far 🥰 this post is everything, SO many of the same things I love about France as well, although I *still* have not mastered all the shutters ha!
Oh incredible, hello! What city do you live in? I have only met one American while in Toulouse, but as soon as we began hanging out, she moved up to Paris! Congrats on three years!!
Some of those old shutters can be tricky! We have the ones with the crank at my apartment and while they're less charming, they're way easier to manage.
Hi! I live in Provence, in a tiny tiny town in the eastern Luberon! It’s so charming, full of life and quirks and everyone has been super kind and welcoming, determined to go against stereotypes ha! I’ve not met many other Americans in my area either, although there’s been rumors a couple moved to town recently and it is THE hot topic! I’ve never been to Toulouse, but I’ve heard it’s lovely! I’m new to your Substack, but I’m so excited to be reading about your experiences, it seems like we love many of the same things about France 🤍🇫🇷
I'm pretty sure one of my old friends from LA visits her aunt in Luberon a couple of times a year. I remember her always talking about it and it sounds like a real fantasy of a place! It seems like you're loving it and I'm so happy for you!!!
That's way too funny about the gossip of the town. I hope you're able to meet the mystery couple!
Thank you so, so much for following along! Happy to have a new Substack friend who can relate to this crazy (and rewarding) experience!
I love this - we have a house in France and have been staying for holidays for over 20 years - the things you notice STILL make me smile and make me love French culture so much
Thank you so much for commenting! Glad we found each other! What city do you live in? Thank goodness for another chocolatine teammate. :)
Ah, what a great coincidence!! I know Pau because my fiancé's sister lives there. So I can envision where you are.
Yes, we are VERY lucky for this life over here. Thank you for your kindness!
Oh!! I think I took your comment of "in a few days" too literally and thought it was this weekend. May 9-13 is still in a few days though! So much happiness for you!!! Thank you again for your kindness, Lori!