Every month, we introduce you to an interesting woman living in Languedoc. Curious as we are, we would like to find out why she lives in this beautiful region, what she does for a living, and some of her Languedoc favourites. This month, we would like you to meet fellow-blogger Deborah Bine. You might know her as the Barefoot Blogger, which she started when moving to France. Initially, she started it to write ‘letters to home’ to keep the homefront updated. And now, more than ten years later, it has grown into a great information source for expats and visitors.
Introduction
I am an American-born expat living in France from part-time to full-time in the past ten years. Originally from the southeast of the U.S, I’ve lived as far west as Minnesota. I’ve left two sons, a grandson and a granddaughter behind, who all still live in the States. Starting my career as a copywriter, advertising creative and marketing professional, I ended up working on IBM’s World Wide Team. It allowed me to travel the world, although I would never ever have thought about moving to France. As a young girl, I collected dolls, and one of my favourites was Queen Elizabeth of England. Therefore, I was more English oriented with a soft spot for the Crown and everything around it.
First time visiting the region
In 2011, I travelled to Europe, initially to see William and Kate’s wedding in London. It just so happened that friends invited me to stay a couple of days in a tiny village in the Gard department. And from there, they brought me to the Saturday market in Uzès (1, 2 & 6). Standing in front of the fountain on the Place aux Herbes, it was love at first sight. The town felt like a fairytale, and I liked everything about it.
Settling in Languedoc
I promised myself I would return to Uzes after my retirement as a gift to myself. I had never imagined such a place existed. I loved the architecture, the food, the history, and especially the people. I knew that I had to return. So, after I retired in 2013, I took the leap. I rented an Airbnb apartment in June, and I returned with a visa to live in France in September. In the beginning, I shared my time between the States and France. This way, I could still be there for my grandchildren while they were little.
Barefoot Blogger
The blog Barefoot Blogger (3) started when I was on my visit to Uzès in 2013. I was celebrating my retirement and wanted to spend time in Uzès pretending to live here. It was my idea of ‘letters home’ to anyone who wanted to know about my adventures in France. Fortunately, the blog has been well received by others who desire to live abroad but need encouragement, information, and guidance. And now, Barefoot Blogger has grown into an online community where I share travel tips, but also information about living abroad.
Why is it called the Barefoot Blogger? Well, in the early 2000s, I lived in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I started making and selling jewellery as a hobby, which I called ‘Barefoot Bangles’. I’m infatuated with the word ‘barefoot’ as it symbolizes freedom to me. While in Myrtle Beach, I bought this piece of art (4), and it pretty much sums up my attitude: Who cares about where? Who cares about when? Just live your best you.
Living in the South of France
First of all, if you’re serious about moving abroad, do your homework. Visit your destination and determine if you are suited for the new lifestyle. Then, do the hard work of investigating requirements for a visa, housing, healthcare, and transportation. And make sure you’ll have a safety net. If you’re still onboard after your research, stick with it. Setbacks are part of the process. Keep moving in the direction of your dream to live abroad.
What I enjoy most about living in Uzès is friends. The people you meet and live among become your ‘family’. Whether they are French or expats, they give you a special feeling of being part of something unique. I meet many fellow lovers of everything French.
Best Languedoc wine
I am particularly fond of viognier — a full-bodied white wine that originated in southern France. It’s a white wine made of the beautifully aromatic grape variety viognier, which results in a wonderful dry wine that sings in your glass (and mouth).
Favourite restaurant
I’m lucky to have two favourite restaurants on either side of my apartment. Villa Curti offers flavourful cuisine with homemade food. You can eat outside under a canopy of vines or inside the cosy vaulted interior. My second favourite place to go is CéBO (5). It must be the smallest restaurant in Uzès with such charming owners. They value local and fresh produce, and it’s always a delight going there.
Perfect day out in Languedoc
One of my favourite things to do is to visit brocantes or vide greniers in quaint towns nearby. They are basically ‘yard sales’ but on a grand scale— often spread out in parking lots. You arrive early, browse, haggle with sellers, and buy things you probably don’t need. After that, I like having lunch. It can be in a to you appealing restaurant in the town itself or a nearby one you may have heard of. If the town has some historic significance, it’s even better. You have more to learn about and photograph.
