Past Newsletter Summaries

Beaujolais Wine Bar Pop-Up | November 22 | 5-8 pm

It's that time of year - Beaujolais Wine season! Come join me to sample different varieties of this "beautiful pretty" wine. I'll be celebrating with France 44 in Minneapolis and I would love to catch up with you. More details on the France 44 website. I'll have a table in a corner somewhere and will be raffling off a bottle of — what else — Beaujolais! Make sure to stop by, say bonjour, and put your name into the hat.

Free Class | December 2 | 7-8 pm

I've gotten lots of requests for this topic and it's finally here: I'll be teaching an online class on greeting people and improving personal interactions in France. How do you do that cheek kiss thing? What is expected of you in a restaurant? How do you get good customer service? I'll serve up some guidelines for smoother Franco-American foreign relations during your next trip. (Even if you're not coming with me ) Registration is on the education page

Libby Heading to Brittany in October

I'm headed to mysterious, enchanting, untamed Brittany. I've never been there before, and I'm really looking forward to hiking the emerald green hills, traipsing along the rocky coasts, craning my neck at lighthouses, and indulging in sweet crêpes and savory galettes. Follow my travels on Instagram. 

1. Harvest season begins in France! Typically the first harvests begin in the southern regions and move northward as the country enters cooler fall temperatures. I love traveling to outer France in fall and in spring - I've learned throughout my years of travel that it's best to trade crowds and heat for calm, pleasant travel.Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Le Courbusier and Garnier, Monet and Matisse, Camembert and Comté, Chanel and Shalimar— there are absolutely spectacular things to see and do and taste and smell in France outside of Paris from September to June. I still have a long list of places I want to visit even though I've been traipsing the country for more than thirty years! Book your travel for fall and spring: I guarantee you will be delighted. 

2. Tooting my own horn: The City of Edina awarded me the 2024 Edina Mayor's Commendation Award for Individual Service! They did a nice little interview with me and I've been included as a Hometown Hero. No cape, but still.

3. School's back in session: I have some new {free!} webinars and I've created a community ed course (which will be in person, in January). Webinar and comm ed information is on the Webinar page.

1. I love the French word for sunflower, it's tournesol, literally meaning a turning towards the sun. I still remember the first time I drove past a sea of yellow somewhere in the Provence countryside. We left in the morning and passed by a large field of them and I was so surprised when we returned that evening and noticed that they were facing the other direction!

2. Are you watching the Olympics? I love that the beach volleyball is right in front of the Eiffel Tower! And, listening carefully, I can occasionally make out announcements from French officials. If the games have made you start dreaming about your next visit to France, I've got some ideas below, and you know where to find me 😉

3. Two magnificent tours are ready and waiting for you! The first is a special collaboration I've concocted with Lane Rosenthal of Paris Off Script. Join us to dip your toes into France and experience two gems in one tour: Paris + Nice. Or join me for a delicious week in Normandy as we explore nature and art and food and drink and friendships and sea life and monasteries and stained glass and William the Conqueror and Monet's Garden and and and...