In this video I sit down with my American friend Celeste at her home near Dijon for a real, unfiltered conversation about what it’s actually like to build a life in France long-term. Celeste has been here for almost 15 years, she’s married to a Frenchman, and she’s raising bilingual kids (including twins), so we get into the practical day-to-day stuff people don’t always talk about—language struggles, making French friends, and the very specific “French bureaucracy” moments that can make you feel like you’re losing your mind. We also talk about French parenting culture through the lens of Bringing Up Bébé, and we compare the American approach versus what’s more common here in France. Celeste shares what she’s learned as an English teacher working with young children, plus what village/rural life looks like when you’re not living in a big expat hub. If you’re planning a move to France (or you’re already here and trying to make it work), this interview will help you feel less alone—and more prepared for the real-life details.