I found this a delightful guide to all that is French. It was like a friend who was showing me all her favorite spot and reasons she love France. The author talks about the food, the people, their politics, their independence and what it was like learning French, and how those events have remained with her forever. How different the French see the world and how they appreciate family and being together over work, work and more work. How they say good morning and good evening to everyone; and how they love their soccer. How they love all type of music, art; and their bookstores and how rich and rewarding spending time among the arts is, and how important it is to seize each moment and make it worthwhile. It will make you happy exploring the French life with Cathy Yandell's, as she talks about her experiences while living in France.

I want to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advance copy of this life experience in France.

Although the book was very well researched, it's more about French culture than the joy of living. That's more what I had been hoping to read about.

As someone who loves all thing French and dreams of going to Paris one day, I knew this book would be for me. I really enjoyed it! It was so well written and described what life in France is really like. While I was reading, I felt like I was there enjoying everything that life in France has to offer. Highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to enjoy this vicarious little trip to France! I wish this informative and delightful title was available when my sons were attending university in Paris and in Rennes. It is an excellent gift for anyone studying or working in France. I also would recommend it to those fortunate enough to be traveling there as well as those savoring the memory of past journeys. The author perfectly captures the French spirit of joie de vivre in all facets of life.

this book is clearly a love letter to France and it is written well and presents a wonderful view of french culture without seeming or feeling like any of the other books about France. I enjoyed reading this a lot.

This is a funny and humorous way to look at living in France and the faux pas that riddle your time there. Although not as insane as the movie "The Family" and the peanut butter scene, I can see pretty much everything happening in this book as the French are...so ... French.

In Canada, when you say something is "French" you generally mean that it is bass-ackwards. In fact, after a month in Gaspesie, I could not wait to "return to Canada". But France is France and Quebec is Quebec and I do appreciate that. (Oh they hate "da Engleesh" in Gaspesie and in Quebec City so if you ever want to travel and learn a bit about the French without going overseas, stick to Montreal because they won't spit at you for not speaking French!)

A thoroughly enjoyable book that was funny and warm and inviting and if you are going to travel to France (outside of Paris which is used to tourists who only know "oui and merci") ) it is a charming look into small village life (that would work for smaller cities as well), customs, food, romance and the love of history and customs that make the French "tick" read this book.

If you can't afford to go to France (Or cannot stomach the idea of dealing with flying these days which is a new and improved nightmare every week), still read this book - it is a charming little (quick read) vacation that will delight you from page one to last.

Bonne vacances!

An immersive French experience!

From funny antidotes and faux pas in social situations to quirks about living in France to food mishaps and learning customs.
This books explores what it means to be French - all aspects of French culture including :

Meals
Sensuality
Realism and romance
Treasured history and books
Art everywhere!
Family and village life

Lessons learned:
Take the time to enjoy life and small pleasures
Appreciate the beauty in the things and people around you
Indulge in things you like!

A must read if you like French culture, have lived in France or want to visit.

4.5 stars

I loved this! Part cultural guidebook, part travel memoir, The French Art of Living Well is an analysis of contentedness in everyday French life--from the wedding parties that don't end til dawn, to the street art shared with the world, to the scalded milk skin at dessert time, and everything in between.

Cathy Yandell writes with an ease and friendliness that makes the book extremely readable and engaging. Facts and anecdotes are presented in equal doses, with themed chapters split into further bite-sized essays for ultimate consumption. This a "just one more chapter!" kind of read that had me completely hooked!

Now more than ever I want to visit this timeless country for myself, to get a taste of my own joie de vivre that I can savor for the rest of my life. Perfect for armchair travelers, francophiles, and the generalized Nerd™, The French Art of Living Well is a manifesto to simply enjoying being, as mastered by the French.