Tres Dignified

Falling ill, a birthday with steak frites and a disappointing ice cream cake, and a thoughtful rainbow umbrella gift. Then a thrilling visit to a safari-style zoo with a two-kilometer labyrinth, memories from international school parties, and a proud DIY fix of a dangerous terrace edge.

Goulash, gondolas, kids area. It's a dream vacation in South Tyrol. But back home the mood shifts when Nova falls ill.

We’ve arrived in the Dolomites and this episode teases our family’s ski-week adventure in a kid-friendly hotel, after a travel slog of flights, trains, and a strike. We recap recent moments at home — vacation camp, kids’ activities, and two healthcare visits: Porter’s eye appointment leading to new glasses, and a dental check-up in France. Expect more stories from Italy in the next episode.

A standout soft-opening dinner with friends at Le 21—hay-smoked trout preparations, a decadent lobster Thermidor, roasted cabbage, and a wildflower cake—paired with natural wines. Then we explore the sprawling Saint-Ouen flea market. What happened the week before? Who knows.

Over a hectic fortnight we share a charity tennis tournament, a uniquely European baby concert, food mishaps and sickness, a painful foot injury, and a memorable steak dinner—balancing what went right and what went wrong as they look ahead to new adventures.

Small victories in potty training progress and canelé baking. Food highlights from tacos to a standout sushi dinner. The heartbreaking chaos of missing remotes and unplowed roads.

We spent the holiday staycation in France navigating potty training, sick kids, and a visit from family while exploring local parks, a family circus, and neighborhood markets. Food and drink steal the show — tartiflette, wine, chocolate mousse and festive breakfasts. These bottles were the highlights: Montaigne from Domaine Belmont Bourgogne, Hautes Cotes de Beaune from Ludovic Pierrot Les Parcelles Bouzy Grand Cru from Pierre Paillard

A cliffhanger resolved. A lively pig roast. A magical trip to Strasbourg’s Christmas markets. Milk of the chicken.

For some, it may be Thanksgiving. For us, we're getting ready for Christmas at a decorated Chateau with roaring fireplaces, animatronic polar bears and scented kitchens, plus marshmallow roasting, ice skating and velour capes. We also welcome Ellie's parents, who seem pretty confident that nothing will go wrong...

Pandas at ZooParc de Beauval, charming châteaux, a Gallo‑Roman museum, a sturgeon farm with caviar and vodka tastings, the stunning Padirac underground river, the Lascaux replica caves, walnut mills, medieval Sarlat, and a warm Halloween farm evening with local community spirit. So, yeah. It's the Dordogne episode.

We welcome Ellie's brother and sister-in-law just as we're catching our breath from one trip to the next. But catching breath does not mean sleeping in. It's up and at 'em, as we get in our steps, patronize the restaurants, conquer the local school, and play some tennis. What else? Find out!

"Sardinia: Sheep, Stones and Sea — A Weekend That Changed Us" is the episode title suggested by AI. Ok, let's go with that. Have a listen.

Exploring Château de Vincennes, joining heritage days events, juggling kids' activities, and navigating strikes and local bureaucracy. There are small victories (French class, vaccinations, tennis waitlist), parenting challenges (late-night wakeups, activity mix-ups), and the best things eaten. Come along, won't you?

Celebrate our 50th episode in style - well, a kind of style anyway. We settle back into post-vacation life in France, seek out the foods we were missing, and try to subscribe our children to enriching programs. It's la rentrée.

We announce Season 2 format changes, recount our trip to the U.S., and tease our travels ahead. We're back!

This week, we split the family for Bastille Day, visit the world's most famous mouse, and struggle through another weekend. But le grande vacance is in site!

One-time restaurant industry friends Jen and Stephen join us for another edition of Conversation with Houseguests. Hear about their exciting journey across France, our origin story together, and Ellie resolutely holding her feet to the ice. It's just another Tres Dignified.

Experience the ups and downs of adjusting to new norms, from cultural differences in childcare to unexpected viral outbreaks. Meanwhile, personal reflections and humorous misadventures pepper our journey, including a memorable trip to a storied rowing regatta and birthday celebrations amidst illness. With friends visiting and culinary explorations on the horizon, our family's French escapade continues with resilience and hope.

Amidst the challenges of chicken pox, unexpected dental mishaps, and pleasant culinary surprises in Rueil, we bid farewell to Hartford, our beloved canine companion of 15 years. He is missed.

Join us this week as we dive into a whirlwind of activities and cultural experiences in France. From the spectacle of a French school fair with students dancing through the ages, to the lively Fête de la Musique, our American family embraces the vibrant community life in their new home. We explore captivating art installations at the iconic Grand Palais in Paris and savor exquisite Japanese cuisine with a focus on eel. Follow our weekend family adventures as we embark on playful outings, complete with toddler antics and challenging transitions. Witness the cherished moments shared with visiting family and the unexpected connections formed with locals. As the school year draws to a close, we reflect on the challenges and triumphs of our son's first year in a French school. Through it all, we find joy in the simple pleasures of French produce, the thrill of artisanal chocolates, and a newfound appreciation for French whiskey.

Join us in this bustling podcast episode as we explore the unique challenges and delightful moments of family life in France. We dive into our rambunctious weekend filled with early morning awakenings by our young ones, unexpected shopping adventures, and grappling with ant invasions. All this unfolds as the heat kicks in, sending us running for air conditioning. This week's highlights also include catching up with our visiting family members, taking them on a tour of our charming neighborhood during "fête du commerce", enjoying al fresco dining, and tasting the best flan in France.

Turkish kebab. A tiny sushi restaurant. Five giraffes. Listen up.

Discover Marseille's cultural diversity. Walk through historical sites and culinary delights. Let the plumbing rain down from the ceiling! We're exploring sun-soaked Mediterranean beaches and Neolithic caves. Join us, won't you?

Don't let the taxi strike get in your way. We're off to Château de Chantilly in search of Australian wildlife. And we have enough gas in tank for dinner with old friends in Paris. The action-packed week continues with a visit to Roland Garros. If you think that this is exciting, just wait for next week...

We're going on stranger dates, celebrating the pedagogical farm, and eating ice cream sundaes. But is it all good times and pompoms? Tune in to find out.

This week, we delve into our gastronomic experiences, from the unexpected foam dishes at a Michelin-starred restaurant to the feast of all feasts at a local farm where a traditional pig roast took center stage. Reflect on the nuanced differences between culinary accolades and genuine satisfaction. Our journey continues with a visit to France Miniature, where we explore model landmarks and enjoy rides out of time with the children. Listen in as we navigate our family’s daily life and cultural observations, sharing the fulfilling and challenging moments of living in a foreign country.

Part 2 of last week's episode takes us to Bordeaux. Need we say more?

In this first part of a two-part bonanza, we're jet setting to Milan, Italy for 24 hours. How many meals did we fit in? Listen to find out. And stay tuned to learn what cuddly wild animal gets a goodnight kiss from Nova every night.

We have houseguests. We have a roof box. And we have the best chocolate in Paris (ok, in Saint-Germain-en-Laye). This episode revels in our French lifestyle, before we skip across the border for an Italian soggiorno. This episode is a little teaser to whet your appetite.

Driving cars, drinking bubbles, and meeting bunnies. These are just a few of this week's activities while we await the arrival of more houseguests. What this episode lacks in adventure and intrigue, it makes up for in hard life lessons about overeating. Join us!

It's a week of new routines and culinary treats. I won't spoil it for you. Just listen.

We're staying away to record this little gem. We celebrate Ellie's birthday, eat the best bite of the year, struggle through another children's birthday party, and put a bow on another wonderful houseguest visit. It's a podcast. Listen, won't you?

Have your favorite celebrity interview podcasts started recycling old guests? Well, we're getting in on that action! Ellie's mom is back for another episode. This time we discuss our road trip to one of France's beaux villages, where we picnic by the Seine and explore a 12th century chateau's hand-carved steps and "miserable holes." And that's just a single day. Join us, won't you? Send your questions to [email protected].

Spring has sprung in Paris - or at least it feels that way this week. We're enjoying unicorn parties and playgrounds, debating the merits of rice with sugar, welcoming Ellie's mother back for another visit, oh, and finally getting a car! Beep. Beep. Send your questions to [email protected]. And wish Ellie a happy birthday today!!

Abrasions and baby blood. Mysterious viruses. We make it out of Morzine in the nick of time. Our first real vacation was a overall a success. And it makes for good content. Join us, won't you?

We're in the balmy then wet then snow covered French Alps, where our family experiences all manner of alpine adventures for the first time. There's cheese... incredible amounts of cheese. But can an abundance of curds make up for nightly non-dairy disappointment? Find out!

Have we done four of these already? Lucky us. And lucky you, because today we have our old friends Allana and James from Boston, with their son Leo. Relive the fun moments and challenges from their visit, including a Paris Pokémon pop-up, a riparian picture predicament, and plunging pigeon poop. Hear about traveling with children from someone other than us for a change. And marvel at as they recount their pastry conquests. Enjoy!

Look, we're not perfect. Sometimes we record an episode and find out three weeks later that the audio is no good. Sometimes we do it two weeks in a row. But when that happens, we do whatever it takes to get the episode out on time. Enjoy this two week mashup where we cover what we covered when we recorded a recording that you will never hear. Talk about Tres Dignified. Listener questions? Email us at [email protected]

It's a cold and rainy winter in France. Let's go camping! Then we'll go to Saint-Germain-en-Laye for the Mimosa Festival, but not the kind you might think (or hope). We're cooking up a storm, falling off scooters, and ringing in the year of the snake. Welcome to Tres Dignified.

This week, we're getting our workouts in, being social, and boozing it up at the former Nazi HQ turned jazz lounge. Come for the stories about our zany children, and stay for the chorizo mac and cheese recipe. We're doing our best, but the weekends need work - and a plan. It's Tres Dignified. Listener questions?! Email [email protected]

Bonnes fêtes ! We're brushing up on our French culture, from the dubious to the uncanny. Then we're off to the cinema, where things get very dark. Strap on your house helmet and join us for a mid-winter chat under cloudy skies. C'est la vie.

In this captivating episode, we put a bow on last week's adventures, take a dog to the movie theater, and learn about French Catholicism's most delicious tradition. A day trip to Versailles becomes a comedy of errors, as our little Spider-Man climbs to new heights. Experience the laughter, the mishaps, and the green lips, as this family learns to find joy in the journey, no matter what France throws our way!

Welcome to our New Year celebration episode filled with truffles, swindlers, and a minor celebrity. We may not be in top health, but sure pretend to be in top form. Join us, won't you?

France is in top form for the Christmas season. Our family? Well, we're trying. This episode features London, New York, jetlag, ear infections, eye infections, learning to ride a bike, and learning to be OK with being hated on a train. How did we fit it all in? It's a Christmas miracle.

This week, we're hosting our dear friends Henry and Louisa, along with their two wonderful children. A fresh set of houseguests means a fresh set of eyes on the City of Light! Join us as our friends take us through their ups and downs. And don't miss the listener questions at the end of the show!

A week of normalcy is anything but normal. Join us at a child's strange birthday party in the middle of nowhere, followed by a mad dash to a double date in Paris with a celebrity encounter and a moderate ankle sprain. And stay tuned for listener questions from Erin in Boston!

It may not be Christmas quite yet, but you can still unwrap this special gift: a conversation with Ellie's parents! Join all four of us to hear about their perspective on our tres dignified expat lives. Hear about what market day is like for outsiders, the merits of meat jelly, and the one day each year when you buy a bottle of wine whether you want it or not. Enjoy!