Becoming an Extrovert in France…There are Things to Do, to Learn, and to Discover

I can’t keep up. There is so much going on, so much to do, so many people to meet and get to know, that there simply isn’t enough time in the day to do it all. FOMO can easily set in (fear of missing out) with so much activity. And it’s impossible to write about it all, much less keep track of it.

I talk to Americans every single day who consider moving to France. Very often, they will tell me that they are “introverts” and want to continue living like they have in their houses with their yards where they can garden.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary describes the term “introvert” as “a person whose personality is characterized by introversion: a typically reserved or quiet person who tends to be introspective and enjoys spending time alone. Note: Introverts are typically more comfortable interacting with small groups of people rather than large groups (as at parties).”

Funny, I might say that about myself, as I much prefer intimate groups to large parties, but one would never accuse me of being introverted. When I hear them talk of being introverted, I began wondering which came first, the chicken or the egg? Do they spend a lot of time alone because they are introverted or do they think they are introverted because they spend a lot of time alone? Get my drift?

It doesn’t surprise me that nearly 73% of millennial Americans live in the suburbs, meaning they are driving cars and living in what I call “a bubble.” As of 2023, about 92% of U.S. households have at least one vehicle, leaving only 8% without a car. In urban areas, approximately 18% of adults report seldom or never driving a car. In contrast, only about 7% of adults in suburban areas report seldom or never driving.

There are lots of reasons for this having happened in the U.S., but the bottom line is that most Americans live in their “bubble.” That means going from your house to your car, from your car to the grocery, big box store or restaurant, then back to your house. In some sprawling cities, like Los Angeles, residents can often spend more time in their cars than at home.

The U.S. created a car-centric infrastructure, with neighborhoods designed for cars, not people walking or using transit, unlike older European cities built around rail or tram systems. More than half of Americans live in suburbs, where homes and destinations are spread out. Low density makes it hard to run efficient transit: buses and trains would run empty or infrequently. Plus, there was underinvestment in Public Transit systems. Car ownership is seen as a symbol of freedom, success, and independence, while public transit is often viewed as a “last resort” or for those who “can’t afford a car” (especially outside major cities). In wealthier areas, buses and trains are often stigmatized.

This led me to consider that perhaps many Americans only think they are introverted because their lifestyle created the scenario. They don’t spend any time in the public communing with other people, and therefore became comfortable with that reality and how they view themselves.

By contrast, in Paris only about 34% of households own a car, a figure that has been steadily declining over the years. This trend is attributed to the city’s extensive public transportation network, challenges related to parking and traffic, and policies aimed at reducing car usage in favor of sustainable transport options. Nationally, around 85% of households own at least one car, with higher rates in rural areas where public transportation options are more limited. But, as of 2023, approximately 81.78% of the French population resides in urban areas, which include both city centers and their surrounding suburbs.

Public transportation in France is a different animal than public transport in the U.S. as more people utilize it—people from all walks of life, not just those who can’t afford to own a car. And as a result, more people spend more time in public communing with other people, and not feeling so solitary or “introverted.”

I may be really off base with my theory, but it struck me as funny that so many Americans tell me they are introverted and are reluctant to live a new life in a more urban environment…in an apartment walking or taking public transport, rather than living an independent house with a yard and a car. When they tell me they love to garden, I wonder if it’s because there was nothing else of interest to do, or was it really their choice to spend time moving dirt and making flowers grow? One client who had never lived in an urban environment asked me “How do you get your groceries without a car?,” to which I explained, “I stop at the corner market and pick up what I need for the day, so it’s always fresh and doesn’t overload my refrigerator. Or I head for the café on the corner for lunch or dinner, or just a coffee or glass of wine, where I can be out enjoying city life.”

There are numerous ways to overcome introversion by living in any one of France’s wonderful cities with great public transportation. Live in the center of the city where there is plenty to do and people to meet. Try it, you might like it, and you might discover that making friends, meeting new people, communing with the public is a lot more fun than you realized, and that you’re not an introvert after all!

Here are a few things to do in Paris and Nice that don’t require a car!…

WRITING WORKSHOP WITH WOLOCH

For all you budding authors/writers/poets, poet, novelist, essayist and world-traveler Cecilia Woloch will host a week-long afternoon “salon” in Nice June 19–26, 2025 for writers in all genres and at all levels. From beginning to well-published, to share work-in-progress, get encouragement, feedback for revision and suggestions for moving the writing forward.

She’ll also share submission strategies and discuss options for publication. The salon will meet in a spacious private apartment in Nice. After the salon, there will be an “apèro” on the terrace, followed by dinner on the town for those who are game.

Cecilia Woloch is the author of a novel, four full-length collections of poems and three chapbooks, the latest of which is Labor: The Testimony of Ted Gall. Her honors include fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Fulbright Foundation, the California Arts Council and others, as well as a Pushcart Prize and inclusion in The Best American Poetry series. Her writing has been published in translation in French, German, Polish, Bulgarian, Hungarian, Ukrainian, Hebrew and Romanes (romance languages). Born in Pittsburgh and raised there and in rural Kentucky, she has traveled the world as a teacher and writer for more than thirty years. She is currently based in Los Angeles.

Fee for individual registration is $495, exclusive of travel and lodging.
Fee for friends who register together is $445 per person. The group is limited to a maximum of six.

For more information or to register, email Cecilia directly.

Special Note: Cecilia Woloch is speaking TOMORROW 3 to 5 p.m. at Après-Midi in Paris! I didn’t appreciate poetry till I heard Cecilia Woloch read as long ago as 1994. Don’t miss it—you won’t regret it! Visit our Events page to learn more.

PHOTO WORKSHOP WITH MULLINS

Tap into Creative Photography with Meredith Mullins: The Art of Motion, sponsored by WICE (Where Internationals Connect in English)

Movement brings energy, emotion, and dynamism to photography. Whether you want to freeze action with perfect sharpness, create stunning motion blur, or experiment with panning techniques, this hands-on workshop will guide you through the creative possibilities of motion in photography.

What to Expect: The workshop will consist of an introduction lecture/discussion featuring practical information, a review of the work of notable photographers, and creative outdoor practice guided by the instructor.

Learning Objectives: Freezing vs. Blurring Action—Learn how to control shutter speed to either stop movement in its tracks or create a sense of motion. Panning for Dynamic Shots—Practice tracking moving subjects for a striking effect. Implied Motion—Explore how composition techniques like leading lines and depth can suggest movement in still images. Hands-on Practice—Experiment with various motion-capturing techniques through guided exercises.

Course Requirements: Open to all levels—beginners and experienced photographers alike. Any type of camera is welcome, including smartphones.

Meredith Mullins is a popular photo instructor and fine-art photography mentor, an internationally exhibited photographer, and a winner of international photography competitions, including the Grand Concours Photo sur Paris, PX3 Competition, Julia Margaret Cameron Award, Photographer’s Forum, and Worldwide Gala Photo Awards. She is the author of the award-winning book “In a Paris Moment”, a leader of photo adventure tours, and the Co-Founder and Director of the International Fine Art Photography Competition.

WICE members can register for this event online using WICE’s fast and secure online system. Simply click on the link and follow directions.

If you’re not a member, you may be able to join some events as a non-member for a small fee which includes a 3-month membership. Please send an email for more information.

Special Note: WICE was the primary catalyst to my life in France! It’s a great organization with a lot to give. Don’t miss this opportunity.

NO KINGS RALLY JUNE 14TH

The Paris Coalition for U.S. Democracy is proud to support the No Kings Rally this June 14th in Paris. Information from the sponsors and RSVP link is below.

Please join the Diversity Caucus, the Veterans & Military Families Caucus, and the Paris Chapter of Democrats Abroad France, and Indivisible Paris, as we protest against tyranny in the USA this June 14, 2025, from 3 TO 5 p.m. at Place de la Bastille—NO KINGS in America!

Rally in solidarity with the thousands of “NO KINGS” protests taking place across the United States the same day, called for by Indivisible in partnership with other pro-democracy in the US. Democrats Abroad chapters which are also hosting events around the world and across France—courage is contagious.

Join us. Bring your signs and your outrage!

RSVP: Democrats Abroad

OCEAN SUMMIT KICK-OFF ON THE PROMENADE DES ANGLAIS

I’m headed to Nice on Wednesday, in the midst of the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference.

It was a first in Europe. The festivities for the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice kicked off last Friday evening with a show featuring 2,025 drones over the Promenade des Anglais.

The start zone, or “zone de décollage” in French, was positioned facing the sea over the Plage du Centenaire. The show kicked off at 10:45 p.m. Before the swarm of drones took to the skies, DJ Cassius and Agoria warmed up the crowd on the Promenade des Anglais.

Nice-Matin invited you to follow this exceptional show live, but if you missed it (as I did while in Paris), you can watch it now.

A la prochaine…