France has some of the most remarkable bridges in the world. Here are four of my favorites, three of which are located in Paris, “The City of Light.”
Gignac Bridge (Joel Berthonneau)
Linda Kovic-Skow, author of French Illusions
The Lively Loire City of Tours
May 4, 2022 by 2 Comments
Tours
In 1979, when I was twenty-one, I traveled abroad and worked as an au pair for a wealthy French family in the Loire Valley. The small town of where I lived was charming, but I was also drawn to the nearby larger town of Tours.
The Incomparable Château de Chenonceau
June 12, 2021 by 2 Comments
My photo from 2001
In this second post highlighting my favorite French chateaux from the Loire Valley, I’m featuring the Château de Chenonceau. Known for its architectural mixture of Gothic and French Renaissance, the château was originally constructed on the Cher River sometime during the 12th century. Destroyed twice and rebuilt, it eventually fell into the hands of French King Henry II, who gifted it to his mistress, Diane de Poitiers, in 1547.
Name Changes in French Illusions
June 9, 2020 by 8 Comments
Back in 2007, when I decided to write a story based on my diary, I knew that I would have to change the names of people and places to protect identities. This was especially true with regard to my host au pair family. Acquiring permission from them was out of the question. Totally out of the question. Read my book and you’ll understand. Additionally, over thirty years had passed since I spoke with anyone I’d met in France. I no longer had any contact information.
A Delectable Memory
April 28, 2020 by 2 Comments
My diary from 1979 recounts my adventures living and working as an au pair in the Loire Valley, at the Château de Montclair, in France. Most of my diary entries revolved around my relationships with the family, but on occasion, I included recipes of favorite drinks or meals.
A Letter to France Magazine
September 7, 2019 by 8 Comments
Four months ago, France Magazine featured The Loire Valley in their May, 2019 issue. Thanks to a dear friend, I obtained a copy of this edition and spent an afternoon pouring over the articles and photos.
Who was Marcel?
May 19, 2019 by 2 Comments
Marcel was one of the most unexpected characters in my memoir, French Illusions, My Story as an American Au Pair in the Loire Valley. From our first encounter, it was hard to reconcile that this quirky, enthusiastic man was my employer’s brother, but even Marcel suggested he was the “black sheep” of the family. He loved America, the language and the country music scene. As you will see in the following excerpt, his English was a bit rough too.
Nanny Anxiety
April 6, 2019 by 2 Comments
Looking back at my life choices in 1979, when I was twenty-one, I still can’t believe I pretended to speak French to acquire a nanny position in France. Aside from the obvious fact that this deception was wrong, I didn’t have a lot of experience with childcare, especially infants. The bulk of my knowledge on this subject came from some unexpected sources during my youth, which you will read about below.
French Butcher Shop Blues
January 5, 2019 by 2 Comments
In 1979, while I worked in France as a nanny for the Dubois family, I experienced many unusual situations, but my visit to the fromager volaille in Songias was one of the most “memorable.”
A Visit to Notre-Dame Cathedral
May 6, 2018 by Leave a Comment
I first toured the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris in 1980. 
Having been raised in a Catholic household, I was anxious to see this famous sight and as you will see in this excerpt from my memoir, French Illusions: From Tours to Paris, my tour of the structure on a rainy spring day, didn’t disappoint.
