From the intricacies of French crêpe traditions to the art exhibitions coming up this year, via train trips to the sun, this week’s La Belle Vie newsletter offers an essential starting point for eating, talking, drinking, and living like a local.
La Belle Vie is our regular look at the real culture of France – from language to cuisine, manners to films. This newsletter is published weekly and you can receive it directly to your inbox, by going to your newsletter preferences in “My account”.
Hello readers,
I don’t know about you but the month of January for me has felt extremely long. With the start of the new year and the post holiday period, it always feels tiring and drawn out.
In Paris we went from snow, to sun, to rain and back to cold and I’m definitely getting ready for longer days and the start of the month of February.
I will be turning 28 in a few weeks and the thought of getting older is always daunting, and in my group of friends, we all feel like we’re nearing an existential crisis. As we’re all inching closer to 30, everything feels dramatic. So after a few mental breakdowns over the inevitable, I decided I would embrace everything February – and the new year – had to offer.
Starting with La Chandeleur on February 2nd which is a good excuse for everyone to eat crêpes. As I’ve mentioned before, my mom being from Brittany, I grew up eating galettes and crêpes.
My go-to meal when I go home to visit is a galette complète (savoury crêpe with ham, cheese and egg) and for desert a caramel au beurre salé (salted caramel) crêpe.
My mouth is watering thinking about it!
La Chandeleur: The day the French get really superstitious… and eat crêpes
I think the best place to indulge in Breton delicacies in Paris is around the Gare Montparnasse. The entire neighbourhood is filled with traditional crêperies, making it one of the iconic places in the capital to enjoy authentic galettes, crêpes and cider.
In that area, one of my personal favourites is the Crêperie de Quiberon. And last weekend I also enjoyed a crêpe in the 11th arrondissement near the Canal Saint Martin, at L’Armorix, the whole restaurant is decorated with oyster shells and Breton trinkets – I felt right at home.
Explained: Brittany and the tradition of French crêpes
Looking ahead, I have never been more excited for this year’s temporary art exhibitions setting up across France – and I truly wish I could see them all.
There’s just something so great about being able to go to a museum on the weekend, it allows you to step away from all the stress of the week, put away your phone and enter another world for a little bit.
A few on my list happening in Paris include, painter Henri Rousseau at the Orangerie museum (from March 25th to July 20th 2026), photojournalist Lee Miller at the Musée d’art Moderne (From April 10th to August 2nd) and a retrospective of Martin Parr’s work at the musée du Jeu de Paume (January 30th to May 24th).
Although there are great expos taking place all over France this year.
15 art exhibitions to look forward to in France in 2026
Another way for me to get past my birthday blues is to plan a holiday. The French calendar this year is absolutely working in our favour, as we have the possibility of long weekends in May.
The French love doing the pont, which basically means extending a weekend by taking an extra day off to have at least four days away.
Faire le pont: The best thing about France’s public holiday system
But because everyone is jumping on the same opportunity, trains are getting booked very quickly. And the French rail operator SNCF Connect’s website has been experiencing a surge in traffic since sales opened at 6am on Wednesday.
I thus went ahead and booked myself a weekend in May with the destination being the south of France. I guess I am in dire need of some warmth, sea and sun.
Train tickets go on sale for France’s May 2026 holiday weekends
So between the La Chandeleur coming up, the great art exhibitions in the next months, and the holidays that we can take advantage of, this year doesn’t seem too bad. I guess it even makes up for turning a year older…
Dining and Cooking