More Than Just a Melody

BECOMING FRENCH

You may recall from our Novellettre® of June 16th that I received a notice from the Ministère de l’Intérieur et des Outre-Mer that I should present myself “Le 23/07/2025 à 09:45 précises” for the official interview that would determine if I’m granted French citizenship or not! Unfortunately, I’ll be in Nice with my daughter and grandson that day! Après-Midi in Nice is July 24th and was planning on returning to Paris on July 25th. So, the date was not very convenient.

At first, I set out to rearrange everything. I booked another train, told my daughter I’d have to leave her in Nice on her own and asked someone on my staff to emcee Après-Midi for me. And then we saw that the appointment could be postponed, so we submitted a request to do that. The problem was that if I couldn’t make this new second date, I would be screwed.

It was a tough decision to make, but requested the postponement. It was not long after that I received another “convocation” for a new date:

It’s perfect and carved in stone in my agenda. Later that day, I will be hosting Après-Midi, but the timing should be just fine. I’m certainly not going to try to change it again.

Immigration Attorney Daniel Tostado, who has been handling my file, has me set up with a practice session with him and his team a couple weeks in advance so I’ll be ready for just about any question they might ask. Meanwhile, I have a copy of the “Livret de Citoyen” (in French) and I’m going to “cheat” by studying with a translated version thanks to DEEPL, even though the interview will be in French.

Here are some of the questions I can expect (in English):

1. Motivation and Personal Background

• Why do you want to become a French citizen?
• How long have you been living in France?
• Do you have family in France?
• How is your professional/personal life going here?
• What does being French mean to you?

2. French Language Proficiency

• Tell me about your professional background.
• Can you describe your daily life?
• What do you read or watch on television?

3. Knowledge of French Values and Institutions

• What are the symbols of the French Republic?
• What does the motto “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” mean?
• Can you name some rights and responsibilities of French citizens?
• What do you know about secularism (laïcité) in France?
• Can you name any French institutions? (e.g., the President, Parliament, Constitutional Council…)

4. Basic French History and Culture

• Who was Charles de Gaulle?
• What was the French Revolution? When did it take place?
• What do we celebrate on July 14th?
• Can you name any important figures in French history?
• Can you name any famous French writers, artists, or philosophers?

Note: You’re not expected to give university-level answers—just to show that you’ve made an effort to understand and engage with French culture.

5. Legal and Administrative Questions

• Have you ever had legal trouble or been convicted of a crime?
• Have you fulfilled your tax obligations?
• Did you complete the mandatory Civic and Defense Day (Journée Défense et Citoyenneté)? (for certain age groups)
• Are you legally employed? What is your work situation?

6. Integration into French Society

• Do you participate in community life or activities in your town or neighborhood?
• Are you a member of any associations or clubs?
• What are your hobbies?
• Do you have French friends?
• What language do you speak at home?

Special note: While I might achieve French citizenship, it would be impossible for me to actually “be French.” Without having been educated in France, or completely fluent in French, as fluent as I am in English, I doubt I’ll ever truly feel French. But, what the hell? I’ll be very happy to carry the French passport…perhaps more proudly than the American passport at this day and time.

Wish me luck and of course, I’ll keep you with a full report, should you want to become a French citizen, too!

PORTUGAL TO FRANCE

We have more and more clients coming to us who having been living in Portugal, but discovered that “it’s just not France.” This is what they tell me, in those words. There is also a Facebook Group with over 800 members who are doing the same…transitioning from Portugal, where they thought they would be happy, to France where they know they can get a better life. Some describe Portugal as a bit “third world” in comparison to “sophisticated and cultured France.”

Here are some reasons why:

In all honesty, there really isn’t another country in Europe that can compare with France. Something not mentioned here is the US-France Tax Treaty that is generally considered one of the more comprehensive and favorable bilateral tax treaties the U.S. has. And while Portugal has a good healthcare system, the World Health Organization (WHO) has historically viewed France’s healthcare system as one of the best in the world—especially in terms of access, quality, and outcomes.

In summary, you choose France if:

• You want world-class culture, fashion, art, and cuisine.
• You’re willing to navigate bureaucracy and higher costs.
• You value deep historical identity and being in the center of Europe.
• You seek urban sophistication or quiet countryside retreats.

The Tram in Nice

You choose Portugal if:

• You want a slower pace of life, sunshine, and affordable living.
• You prefer English accessibility and less social formality.
• You’re a retiree or remote worker looking for ease, sun, and tax benefits.
• You’re drawn to a tight-knit expat scene and relaxed coastal living.

Lisbon

Portugal may be a bit less expensive, but remember: you get what you pay for.

MELODIC MELODY

I wonder if Melody Gardot became a singer because her name was Melody? And she is that…melodic. I was not a follower, but a friend invited me to attend her concert Saturday night at the Olympia. I discovered not only Melody’s amazing voice, the kind that floats you along into a dreamy state, but some of the finest jazz musicians I’ve ever heard.

If you’re strolling down Boulevard des Capucines in the heart of the 9th arrondissement, between the Église de la Madeleine and the Opéra Garnier, you can’t miss L’Olympia—that iconic red-and-white neon marquee glowing like a beacon of Parisian musical history. Opened in 1893 by none other than a co-founder of the Moulin Rouge, L’Olympia started out as a venue for opera, ballet, and music hall shows before becoming a cinema in the 1920s. It was lovingly revived in 1954 by Bruno Coquatrix and quickly became the place for rock and pop legends to take the stage. Nearly lost to demolition in the 1990s, the Olympia was saved, rebuilt in 1997 with its glorious façade and interior intact, and is now owned by Vivendi. Today, it continues to host world-class performances—and stands as one of the city’s most beloved and enduring cultural landmarks.

I knew nothing about her until Saturday night and if you haven’t already discovered Melody Gardot, now’s the time. Don’t be surprised if you fall head over heels, just like the French did, and like I did. The American-born jazz singer, with her smoky, velvet voice and unmistakable aura, it feels like she was meant to live and sing in Paris. Her story reads like a movie script: after a near-fatal accident in her teens, she used music as recovery, emerging not just healed, but transformed—into a world-class artist. Whether she’s singing in English, French, Portuguese, or something in between, Melody exudes a cinematic elegance that’s made her a favorite in France’s most iconic venues.

Melody is currently VERY pregnant, with her first child at 40 years old, having announced her pregnancy on April 1, 2025, while also sharing the difficult news that her partner left her when she was around 20 weeks pregnant. She held on to her belly throughout the entire performance and lightly complained a few times about how it was hard to reach the piano keyboard and to prop a guitar on her lap. She managed to get through 2.5 hours of concert with no intermission, which is a testament to her stamina.

The musicians and choir of background singers were just as impressive as Melody if not even more so. The ensemble featured seven musicians, with a mix of rhythm, brass, and keyboard instruments to create the lush, jazzy orchestration Gardot is known for live. One of the percussionists had an array of crazy home-made instruments to create all sorts of fascinating sounds, include a big cloud of plastic that he pumped with his arms to make crackling sounds. Add to that a choir of about eight or 10 (I couldn’t see them all from our third row dead center seats), but the sound was absolutely mesmerizing. No wonder I fell in love with her, as has all of France.

Put on “My One and Only Thrill” or “Entre Eux Deux” (her duet album with pianist Philippe Powell), pour yourself a glass of Saint-Émilion, and imagine you’re watching the rain from your apartment balcony in Saint-Germain. That’s the Gardot effect.

Small note: the opening act was the very own Corrinne, a vibrant drag queen alter ego of Sébastien Vion—a fixture in Paris’s cutting-edge cabaret scene. It was “so French” of her to choose such an off-beat opening act. I laughed till I cried…in awe of such audacity!

DES VOIX SUR BERGES

Sunday afternoon, instead of strolling south toward Place des Vosges like we tend to do out of habit, my daughter, grandson and I decided to head toward the Canal Saint-Martin, find a nice spot to have lunch and stroll. At the time, it didn’t seem as intuitive as it turned out to be, because not only did we have the perfect lunch at Miznon at an outside table in the shade, but while wandering along the Canal, popping in and out of the interesting boutiques, we came upon Les Voix sur Berges by sheer chance.

It’s one of those magical, heartwarming, and authentically Parisian events of the year. About 200 amateur choirs, thousands of singers, no microphones, no stages—just pure, live, unfiltered music echoing off the water and through the leafy 10th arrondissement. From gospel and baroque to jazz, pop, and even video game music (yes, really!), it’s an open-air celebration of the human voice in all its forms. I have always gotten a bit of a chuckle from the French approach to such music. My daughter described it perfectly—their singing is like a formal French garden…perfectly pruned and beautifully organized, but not carefree or spontaneous! I knew exactly what she meant…perfectly pruned and beautifully organized, but not carefree or spontaneous!

The organizers kick off the event with a “wake-up call” of spontaneous performances across local markets and courtyards, followed by a massive picnic, and then six hours of performances all along the canal. The day ends with a joyful, all-voices-in singalong, in the Jardin Villemin.

That’s the best part. Not wanting to see all 200 choir groups, we opted to stroll through the Jardin Villemin toward Gare de l’Est to catch a bus home. We’d never been in the garden before and found it surprisingly beautiful. What a hidden treasure in the 10th arrondissement! Thousands of people had brought blankets, baguettes, and bottles of wine and let Paris serenade them in the cool shade of the luscious trees.

It was a part of Paris we hadn’t had the pleasure of seeing before. One needs a lifetime to discover the City of Light, not just 31 years!

A la prochaine…