Who doesn't relish a spine-chilling ghost story? France, steeped in history, offers an abundance of eerie haunts and spectral legends. Each contributing its own chilling narratives, from ethereal damsels draped in white to phantom steeds searching for their masters. These spectral tales often echo within the stone walls of centuries-old castles.

Would you dare to spend a night in one of these haunted châteaux or roam its darkened halls after dark? While I might hesitate, my curiosity about the legends, stories and history behind these ghostly encounters only grows stronger. Join me as I explore these mysterious legends and uncover the truths woven into their spectral fabric.

• Five Haunted Castles in France That Will Keep You Up at Night
• The Christmas Gift Guide for Francophiles

I’m Kylie Lang, owner of Life in Rural France, a travel blog dedicated to helping others explore & discover all that France has to offer. On the blog, you’ll discover sections covering:

• City Guides - everything you need to know about visiting cities such as Paris, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Rouen, La Rochelle and many more.
• Moving to France - lots of resources to help you plan your move from visas and insurance to sim cards and watching TV.
• French Travel News - discover what’s happening in France, from festivals and events to the latest deals and offers.

If there is anything you’d like to know about living in France, the French culture or the history of this wonderful country, feel free to DM me on Instagram @lifeinruralfrance

If you’re looking for a fairytale castle in France, look no further than Chateau de Chenonceau. Stood on an arched bridge across the Cher River, its reflection perfectly captures the magic of the building within. From being the residence of some of France’s most powerful women to playing an active role in the French resistance, its walls have many stories to tell.

A visit to the chateau will take you back to 16th-century France when it was built. You’ll travel slowly back to the 21st century, meeting a King’s mistress, a Queen, a French salonist, and a socialite, to name but a few.

Its Renaissance architecture and medieval roots have earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It’s instantly recognizable and is one of the most photographed chateau in France. So, let me take you on a trip back in time when a fortified castle and mill were demolished, and a chateau was built.

• The Secrets of the Ladies Chateau, Chateau de Chenonceau

I’m Kylie Lang, owner of Life in Rural France, a travel blog dedicated to helping others explore & discover all that France has to offer. On the blog, you’ll discover sections covering:

• City Guides - everything you need to know about visiting cities such as Paris, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Rouen, La Rochelle and many more.
• Moving to France - lots of resources to help you plan your move from visas and insurance to sim cards and watching TV.
• French Travel News - discover what’s happening in France, from festivals and events to the latest deals and offers.

If there is anything you’d like to know about living in France, the French culture or the history of this wonderful country, feel free to DM me on Instagram @lifeinruralfrance

From an illegal underground party complete with an orchestra and 100 guests in the 19th century to secret meetings of the French Resistance during World War II, the Paris Catacombs have more than their fair share of history surrounding them.

The bones of 6-7 million people are stored down in this network of tunnels, but did you know that before the catacombs were used to store bodies, they were mined for limestone to build attractions such as the Louvre? It was, in fact, an underground quarry.

Or that there is a group of people known as “Cataphiles” who live, or more accurately squat, down in the tunnels. It’s quite the story. There are police who patrol the tunnels, dubbed the “Cataflics,” who chase the “Cataphiles.” If those tunnels could talk, they’d have quite the story to tell, so join me as I go below the Paris streets to reveal the stories of the Paris Catacombs.

• Discover the secrets of the Paris Catacombs
• The Private VIP Tour I did of the Paris Catacombs

I’m Kylie Lang, owner of Life in Rural France, a travel blog dedicated to helping others explore & discover all that France has to offer. On the blog, you’ll discover sections covering:

• City Guides - everything you need to know about visiting cities such as Paris, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Rouen, La Rochelle and many more.
• Moving to France - lots of resources to help you plan your move from visas and insurance to sim cards and watching TV.
• French Travel News - discover what’s happening in France, from festivals and events to the latest deals and offers.

If there is anything you’d like to know about living in France, the French culture or the history of this wonderful country, feel free to DM me on Instagram @lifeinruralfrance

When I first moved to France, my French left a lot to be desired. It is still far from perfect, but I can get by now and have a little book of phrases that help me get out of all situations. So today, I thought it would be fun to introduce you to Virginie, a French teacher who helps expatriates who live in France improve their level of French and integrate successfully so that they feel confident and more at ease.

She’ll be sharing some fun tips on how to improve your French and some common mistakes all English speakers make, as well as some of those hilarious faux pas where a direct translation means something quite different from what we think it does - this includes me telling my post lady I was feeling horny.

No, of course, that’s not what I thought I was telling her; I thought I was telling her how hot I was, weather hot, not that type of hot. So buckle up, as it’s back to school time today, and together, we learn a few key French phrases to make your next trip to France smoother.

• My French Booster Course (€7 Discount built in)
• Join Virginie's Newsletter
• Follow Virginie on Instagram
• Listen to Virginie's Podcast

I’m Kylie Lang, owner of Life in Rural France, a travel blog dedicated to helping others explore & discover all that France has to offer. On the blog, you’ll discover sections covering:

• City Guides - everything you need to know about visiting cities such as Paris, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Rouen, La Rochelle and many more.
• Moving to France - lots of resources to help you plan your move from visas and insurance to sim cards and watching TV.
• French Travel News - discover what’s happening in France, from festivals and events to the latest deals and offers.

If there is anything you’d like to know about living in France, the French culture or the history of this wonderful country, feel free to DM me on Instagram @lifeinruralfrance

Halloween isn’t as big in France as in some countries. I’m yet to have a trick-or-treater at my door. Instead, it's all about All Saints' Day, the day after Halloween, a time of remembrance deeply embedded in French culture. From eerie tales to historical lore, I’ll be revealing why, in France, this time of year is about more than just tricks and treats.

But that's not all. We’ll wander through the winding paths of Père Lachaise Cemetery, the final resting place of legends. Often shrouded in the autumn mist, this cemetery isn't just about who's buried there; it's about the stories that linger like whispers among the mausoleums and monuments.

So, join me as we discover how these traditions resonate with the French, the eerie allure of Père Lachaise, and lift the veil on the mysterious, historical, and deeply cultural aspects of Halloween and All Saints' Day in the heart of France.

• The History of Celebrating Halloween in France
• The Story Behind All Saints Day
• A Visit to Some Famous Graves in Pere Lachaise Cemetery
• The French Romeo and Juliet, Heloise and Abelard

I’m Kylie Lang, owner of Life in Rural France, a travel blog dedicated to helping others explore & discover all that France has to offer. On the blog, you’ll discover sections covering:

• City Guides - everything you need to know about visiting cities such as Paris, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Rouen, La Rochelle and many more.
• Moving to France - lots of resources to help you plan your move from visas and insurance to sim cards and watching TV.
• French Travel News - discover what’s happening in France, from festivals and events to the latest deals and offers.
• Héloïse And Abélard the French Romeo & Juliet

If there is anything you’d like to know about living in France, the French culture or the history of this wonderful country, feel free to DM me on Instagram @lifeinruralfrance

I’m taking you on a virtual tour of Montmartre in Paris, home to the Moulin Rouge and the Sacre Couer. As you walk through the cobblestone streets, you can almost hear the voices of the many artists who called this place home. It’s like stepping into the past, and once it draws you in, you don’t want to leave.

There are so many things to see and do, some well-known, some not so much. For example, did you know there is a vineyard in Montmartre called Clos Montmartre Vineyard? It’s one of only ten remaining vineyards in Paris.

And what about Rocher de la Sorcières, aka Witchs Rock? Nobody knows where it came from, but it’s said to have evil powers.

But its biggest drawcard is its Bohemian artistic history and the fact it was home to artists such as Van Gogh, Picasso and Renoir, to name but a few. I’ll be digging into the legends and stories behind the village on the hill and taking you through the streets of Montmartre.

• The Moulin Rouge Dinner and Show Package
• The 3 Day Paris Itinerary
• Discover the Hotspots of Montmartre in Paris

I’m Kylie Lang, owner of Life in Rural France, a travel blog dedicated to helping others explore & discover all that France has to offer. On the blog, you’ll discover sections covering:

• City Guides - everything you need to know about visiting cities such as Paris, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Rouen, La Rochelle and many more.
• Moving to France - lots of resources to help you plan your move from visas and insurance to sim cards and watching TV.
• French Travel News - discover what’s happening in France, from festivals and events to the latest deals and offers.

If there is anything you’d like to know about living in France, the French culture or the history of this wonderful country, feel free to DM me on Instagram @lifeinruralfrance

You might think it’s a bit early to think about Christmas in September, but it’s not, especially if you’re planning a trip to one of the Christmas markets in France.

From the Ferris wheels and vintage carousels to the gorgeous wooden chalets with artisans selling their wares, Christmas markets make us think about ice skating, mulled wine, gingerbread, roasted chestnuts, and, of course, the magical Christmas trees.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing the stories behind three of the best Christmas markets in France that still have that old-world charm of centuries gone by.

• The Magical Alsace Christmas Market in Colmar
• The Fun and the Lights of the Lille Christmas Market
• The History and Legend of the Reims Christmas Market
• 15 Fabulous Christmas Markets in France Not To Miss

I’m Kylie Lang, owner of Life in Rural France, a travel blog dedicated to helping others explore & discover all that France has to offer. On the blog, you’ll discover sections covering:

• City Guides - everything you need to know about visiting cities such as Paris, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Rouen, La Rochelle and many more.
• Moving to France - lots of resources to help you plan your move from visas and insurance to sim cards and watching TV.
• French Travel News - discover what’s happening in France, from festivals and events to the latest deals and offers.

If there is anything you’d like to know about living in France, the French culture or the history of this wonderful country, feel free to DM me on Instagram @lifeinruralfrance

There are many things I love about living in France, one of which is enjoying the French Apéro.

It embodies so much of what the French are famous for, as it perfectly represents the ability to enjoy the simple pleasures in life.

The French culture fascinates me. They have an excellent attitude towards life, especially here in rural France.

They work to live rather than live to work. They take the time to see what’s around them, spend time with their family, and embrace the good things in life.

So let’s dive in and discover all there is to know about that fantastic pastime known as the French Apéro and the history of one of the most famous drinks in France, Pastis.

• Everything You Need To Know About French Apéro Hour
• The History Of One the Most Popular Drinks in France, Pastis

I’m Kylie Lang, owner of Life in Rural France, a travel blog dedicated to helping others explore & discover all that France has to offer. On the blog, you’ll discover sections covering:

• City Guides - everything you need to know about visiting cities such as Paris, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Rouen, La Rochelle and many more.
• Moving to France - lots of resources to help you plan your move from visas and insurance to sim cards and watching TV.
• French Travel News - discover what’s happening in France, from festivals and events to the latest deals and offers.

If there is anything you’d like to know about living in France, the French culture or the history of this wonderful country, feel free to DM me on Instagram @lifeinruralfrance