The Lou Messugo Blog

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The Lou Messugo Blog
Life in the south of France from a British/Australian TCK's perspective, bringing you French culture, travel on the Côte d'Azur and beyond, expat issues and a little bit of je ne sais quoi all mixed up with a hefty dose of photography.
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  • 5 Charming Villages in The Var You Need to Visit 2 years ago One of the most alluring aspects of the south of France is its multitude of medieval villages tucked away on hillsides and perched on top of rocky outcrops. Away from the crowds and bustle of the coast, gorgeous as that is, you’ll find authentic, dreamy villages begging to be explored. Here are 5...
  • Châteauneuf, my Secret Hill Village 2 years ago The Alpes-Maritimes department is bursting with a multitude of pretty hill villages, “villages perchés” in French, built during the middle ages in strategic spots on mountain tops and hillsides. There are at least 15 within half an hour’s drive of Lou Messugo, all with their own charm and...
  • Shortened Words in French 2 years ago It will probably come as no surprise to anyone who’s tried to learn a language and then put it into practice in a native-speaking country that the French language spoken in France, by French people, can be quite different from the language you studied at school. As well as using a great deal of...
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Website Reviews » There are 42 reviews on The Lou Messugo Blog

Catherine
19:08 PM January 23, 2013

I thoroughly enjoy reading phoebe'S blogs. They are different amusing well researched one feels that phoebe has taken part in all that she writes about. Her photographs are brilliant. I always look forward to reading a phoebe blog. Long may she keep entertaining us in this way

Mags
15:08 PM December 23, 2013

I love reading the Lou Messugo blog and have been following from the beginning. Phoebe combines just the right amount of personal anecdote with humour and facts. I've learnt a lot about France from her insider's view.

Marie
13:53 PM May 01, 2014

A must read for all travellers to France. Phoebe explores things others ignore.

Christine French
14:15 PM May 01, 2014

I love this blog. So full of interesting facts but most of all so full of personality

Ruth Elliott
15:25 PM May 01, 2014

Very well-written - a friendly, chatty style which combines entertaining personal experience with well-researched background facts about the rich heritage and traditions of the area.

Kate Threadgold
15:32 PM May 01, 2014

Phoebe's blog is for traveller and resident alike we all learn loads of the quirks that make up French culture and life.The photos are great and the subjects so varied to tickle any palette to enjoy more and explore their time in France.Phoebe's spin is full of humour well worth a read.

Richard
16:19 PM May 01, 2014

I really enjoy the Lou Messugo blog. It is always full of interesting "extra" bits of information about the Cote d'Azur and life there. And the photographs are terrific. Maybe one day Phoebe could pull the best bits together as a very desirable coffee table book?

Celine
18:56 PM May 01, 2014

Phoebe has a lot of information and knowledge for anyone coming to this area, and we all love to hear whats going on next.

Steph
19:46 PM May 01, 2014

Fullmarks for the Lou Messugo blog ! Phoebe has a real knack for presenting interesting and informative titbits about life in France and she does it in a very personable and engaging way.

Valerie
20:51 PM May 01, 2014

Phoebe has great writing skills, restless curiosity and a fantastic sense of hospitality . After several years at Lou Messugo she has built a wealth of knowledge about the local culture and she shares it with style and a distinctive sense of humor. I love it!

Suzi
07:30 AM May 02, 2014

Wonderful insights into a beautiful area

Sally
08:50 AM May 02, 2014

You can tell that Phoebe loves to explore, both the familiar and the unusual. It is great to read the blog to give me my next idea for the South of France. Keep it up!

Kate
10:28 AM May 02, 2014

Everything and more you wanted to know about the beautiful south...a truly comprehensive fun blog from a great writer

Dawn
10:34 AM May 02, 2014

Well researched and easy to read, it's one of those go-to blogs that's full of both quirky and factual info. I refer local friends and overseas visitors alike. You know everything has genuinely been tried and tested - with photos to prove it!

Corinna
22:05 PM May 04, 2014

I love travelling in France and find Phoebe's blogs so inspiring. Every time I read one of her blogs I just want to get on the next plane to Nice to explore for myself.

Sophie
15:51 PM May 05, 2014

As a former British expat in France (I lived on the French Riviera for 12 years before moving back to the UK) I find Lou Messugo to be a great source of information, both useful and fun at the same time. Phoebe manages to strike the balance well with her knowledge, style of writing and content, producing a blog that appeals to many people across the board. Bravo Phoebe! Keep up the good work :-)

Gabrielle
17:07 PM May 14, 2014

Phoebe's articles are always fun to read and full of tidbits. You never know what you might learn!

Andrea Egger
13:29 PM May 19, 2014

as former expat in Vietnam and more Asian countries I discovered Phoebe's blog which is inspiring me a lot with what to do on my next trip to the Provence and South of France. Phoebe's blog not only shows paths off the beaten track in the Provence area but is also a precious source to find out more about about tradtions, about festivals in the region and interesting historical sites not only in the South of France but also experiences from trips to other European countries. Keep on bloggin'!

Rosemary Kneipp
13:37 PM May 19, 2014

I really enjoy Phoebe's excellent blog. She is a mine of information for everything that is going on in and around the city of Nice.

Bryndis Johannsdottir
15:03 PM May 19, 2014

I love Phoebe's blog - it is an absolute joy to read - I feel like I escape the dark often cold winters in Iceland and I am back to the South of France... The blog is both informative and funny - lots of photos to make you feel like you have been there yourself. Can't wait to visit .. until then I always have the blog ....

Dan
19:43 PM May 19, 2014

I've lived in the Cote D'azur for over 14 years and Phoebe's blog never fails to surprise me... She is continually uncovering gems in the area... It's a must for not only visitors to the area, but locals too! A great read!

Clare
10:56 AM May 20, 2014

Love Phoebe's blog and visiting Lou Messugo. Keep up the good work.

Alex
11:49 AM May 20, 2014

Love the blog! Keep it coming Phoebe...

Jacqui
15:08 PM May 20, 2014

Phoebe's blog has been a wealth of information for me. I find myself sometimes revisiting some of her posts just to recap on some local information. I often forward it to people as for me its probably the best I've seen that strikes the perfect balance between images, information and particularly interesting tidbits. I live on the Cote d'Azur, Phoebe brings it to life. Keep it up!

Molly S
18:37 PM May 20, 2014

I've travelled to the South of France several times,and Phoebe's blog is one of my favourites - well written, always informative, and with a great sense of humour! I've learnt a lot from her insider knowledge, & I find it's a great resource as well as an entertaining read....keep up the great work!

Ann Garvey
11:15 AM May 21, 2014

The Lou Messugo blog is a treasure trove, full of exquisitely wrapped gifts! Phoebe's gift in capturing the unexpected, the quirky, the (sometimes) hilarious and the wonderful things that are part of life in France means that reading her blog is always a pleasure. I have added the Cannes murals to my list of things to see. Bonne continuation!

Cindy
11:53 AM May 21, 2014

Great blog. Phoebe always manages to find interesting quirky/unusual things about the region to cover. I've learned a lot about the area and particularly love the fantastic photos. Makes me want to go back to visit this lovely part of the world...

Juan Fransisco
10:45 AM May 22, 2014

I just love Phoebe's blog, basta!

Eric
12:19 PM June 01, 2014

I like to read the blog of Lou Messugo as I live in the Côte d'Azur region and I often discover new things to do and places to go. It is well written, informative and usually very original. It is interesting to see my area as seen by foreigner.

Raymond
10:57 AM June 02, 2014

J'adore le blog de Lou Messugo, c'est ma madeleine quotidienne.

Liz
07:20 AM June 04, 2014

Have loved reading Phoebe's blogs since she started! I no longer live on the Cote d'Azur but would never stop reading her blogs: they are so informative, personal and very witty indeed. Recommended for travellers, locals and anyone who enjoys a good read!

Marie France
10:12 AM June 04, 2014

Ce que j'apprecie vraiment dans le blog de Lou Messugo, c'est qu'on a le regard que porte une expatriée sur la France et la région Provence et, à ce titre, Phoebe excelle! Continuez ainsi.

Rob Watson
12:35 PM June 06, 2014

Phoebe’s blog is a delight! It’s both entertaining and informative. Whether reporting on local life, or big events such as “Le Tour” passing through our village, or some of the many other idiosyncrasies of expat life in France, then you’re sure to learn something new or useful on every read. Phoebe writes about all those important little facts of life (check out “What not to wear at the pool”), posts photos of the weird of cloud formations (we were quite worried when we saw those) and explains the annual invasion of Medieval Knights in a nearby town. What else could one ask for? And if all that wasn’t enough, this blog is a great source of “things to do” and lovely walks (albeit sometime a little scary) to help plan the weekend, plus they're all accompanied by lovely photos for the local wildlife, human and otherwise. I’m eagerly awaiting the next installment!

Faye
17:10 PM June 16, 2014

I really love reading Phoebe's blog and although I've lived here for over 15 years, I've learned a lot thanks to her, both on French culture in general but also regarding some of our area's hidden gems. Phoebe's enthusiasm comes across perfectly in her writing which is always fun and interesting. Long may she continue entertaining and informing us!

Linnea
00:20 AM July 12, 2014

I love this blog. It's full of information written in an intelligent and often humorous style. The writer clearly knows her stuff and loves her area of France. Her passion shines through.

Louis
12:29 PM September 03, 2014

I love the photos on this blog, they make me want to head straight over to the Cote d'Azur and live there. But there's more to just photos to this blog. The writing is intelligent and informative, with just the right amount of personal anecdotes. Reading the Lou Messugo Blog is my way of getting a daily dose of sunshine!

Jude
13:23 PM September 17, 2014

I've been following Phoebes blog since the beginning. It's informative and full of enthuastism. I pass her link to all my clients when they book villa holidays with me as local knowledge is unbeatable, they love it for day trips and information that's not all "touristy". I've used Phoebes blog to plan my own family day trips as well. Keep it up Phoebe, the SOF isn't all about the rich and famous, it's all about families too and hidden gems to explore.

Stephanie R
15:39 PM September 17, 2014

I love reading Phoebe's blog. I love her writing style and, most importantly, I love the content. It is my go- to read for ideas To entertain visitors and I have learnt much about the area, and what it has to offer, as well as interesting facts about local customs and traditions. Finally, what's not to like about reading about someone who has chickens who are allowed to invade their kitchen periodically? :-)

Steve Turner
22:48 PM October 28, 2014

This is a great blog. I came across it when researching a holiday in the south of France and decided to book this gîte because of all the extra info available through the blog. We had a great holiday at Lou Messugo and now I keep reading the blog to stay in touch and relive those holiday memories. I recommend it to all my friends heading to France. Full of great stuff.

Alexandra
15:40 PM November 13, 2014

J'adore ce blog! Continuez comme ça Phoebe! Bravo!

George
17:34 PM December 27, 2014

Great blog, very diverse. Love the stuff on French culture. The photos are always excellent and make me want to travel.

Stephanie
22:26 PM August 06, 2015

Oh man I love this blog! I have been a regular reader for a couple of years and don't think I've disliked a single post. Everything is so fun and informative. Keep it up!

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