We live in a bedroom community of 1300 inhabitants, and although I was involved in some local associations when our girls were kids, I've never felt much sense of community. Then we bought a weekend house in a tiny "hameau" that is part of an also tiny village, and we were swept up in a much warmer atmosphere -- despite the fact that it is fairly right-wing. Oh well, nothing's perfect.
As the Romans say, Daje! I adore your story of Saint Maxime. I am in the earliest days of deciding to emigrate (after almost 20 years living in Rome as a diplomats wife) This has me thinking deeply about even more of the reasons why.
BEST of luck, Alex!! I’ve been here for over 20 years and haven’t made the leap to become French. I commend you for the (enormous) effort! I wouldn’t know the answers to at least ½ of those questions but Elio is only in CM2…so I’ll keep studying along with him 😆. XX
THEY HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO ASK PEOPLE TO RECITE THE FIRST LINES. if i were really cheeky i'd do this rendition instead and it would be such a badass reference they'd hae to grant me citizenship on the spot:
I wish you good luck Alexandra....but I haven't understood why you want to become French. You say you don't master French language, history or culture although since you have lived in France for many years you must do and you are modest but you don't give us any reason why you want to be naturalisée! Admittedly I haven't read any of your previous posts but I hope this is because you fell in love with the country or a French person! Pourquoi vous voulez être française madame? is the question with the most important response.
We live in a bedroom community of 1300 inhabitants, and although I was involved in some local associations when our girls were kids, I've never felt much sense of community. Then we bought a weekend house in a tiny "hameau" that is part of an also tiny village, and we were swept up in a much warmer atmosphere -- despite the fact that it is fairly right-wing. Oh well, nothing's perfect.
How did it go?
well, i think? i won't know for another three weeks at least...
Yay!! Keep us posted. You’re inspiring me.
I feel like I'm listening to a Tracy Chapman song. Thank you for your bravery in explaining this process. Couple years behind you, perhaps ;)
comparing this to tracy chapman is an exceptionally high compliment.
It was earned. I felt it :)
As the Romans say, Daje! I adore your story of Saint Maxime. I am in the earliest days of deciding to emigrate (after almost 20 years living in Rome as a diplomats wife) This has me thinking deeply about even more of the reasons why.
BEST of luck, Alex!! I’ve been here for over 20 years and haven’t made the leap to become French. I commend you for the (enormous) effort! I wouldn’t know the answers to at least ½ of those questions but Elio is only in CM2…so I’ll keep studying along with him 😆. XX
Alexandra, I took the language test in December. You will have ZERO problem getting the score you need.
I wish you good luck anyway !!
Will a recital, and in tune, of the Marseillaise be required, I wonder?
THEY HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO ASK PEOPLE TO RECITE THE FIRST LINES. if i were really cheeky i'd do this rendition instead and it would be such a badass reference they'd hae to grant me citizenship on the spot:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea4TKq_nurc
I wish you good luck Alexandra....but I haven't understood why you want to become French. You say you don't master French language, history or culture although since you have lived in France for many years you must do and you are modest but you don't give us any reason why you want to be naturalisée! Admittedly I haven't read any of your previous posts but I hope this is because you fell in love with the country or a French person! Pourquoi vous voulez être française madame? is the question with the most important response.
<<Admittedly I haven't read any of your previous posts>>
well then you would not have seen this one, which should make it clear!
https://alexandramarshall.substack.com/p/what-parisians-really-think-of-notre?utm_source=publication-search
and then at the end of the piece you just read, this is kind of it in a nutshell:
<<I will tell them the very true story of Saint-Maxime.>>
out of the nutshell, that story is told in the numbered chapters of this here substack! xoxo