France, Identity, and Life in Paris, with Jay Swanson

The Dream of Living in France with Adrian Leeds

Adrian Leeds - property consultant and one of the most recognizable voices in the Franco-American community - has called France home since 1994. In this episode, she joins Daniel for a thoughtful conversation on life in France, the changes she’s witnessed over the decades, and the reasons she chose to stay. Together, they explore the practical and personal sides of making a life here - from the realities of property in France to the broader question of what truly makes a place feel like home. Whether you’re considering a move, dreaming from afar, or simply curious about the experience of living here, this episode is an honest conversation about place, lifestyle, and the idea of home.

Starting Over... In the Countryside - One Family's Take on Belonging to 2 Different Places

It’s one thing to move to Paris and it’s another to build a life in the French countryside. When Daniel sits down with Jason and Raina, they share the story behind their move to rural France, the reasons that led them there, and how they launched their YouTube channel, Baguette Bound. From relocating with a daughter in middle school to navigating two cultures and doing whatever it takes to create a new life abroad, this episode is filled with honest insights, challenges, and plenty of laughs. It's a relatable conversation for anyone dreaming of making France their home or is simply curious about what French countryside living is like.

Belonging Abroad: Faith, Migration, and Building Community in Paris

What does it mean to belong when you’re living abroad? In this episode, we sit down at the American Church in Paris with Pastor Elizabeth to talk about faith, migration, and the human need for community. What began as a conversation about the role of one historic church quickly expands into a broader discussion about immigrant life in France, cultural adjustment, identity, and the quiet challenges of building connection in a new country. We explore the history of the American Church in Paris, from hosting figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and James Baldwin to running refugee shelters during the coldest months of the year. We also discuss the realities of living between cultures, navigating French secularism, and why community becomes essential when you are far from home. Whether you are religious or not, this conversation speaks to something universal: the need to feel grounded, seen, and supported when starting over in a new country. As a French immigration law firm, we often speak about visas and legal processes, but we know relocation is not only administrative. It is emotional, cultural, and ultimately, it is about belonging.

We Took the New French Civics Exam... Here’s What Happened

There’s a brand new civics exam in France, and if you’re applying for naturalization, a multi-year renewal, or a 10-year card, it now applies to you. It just rolled out. It’s 40 questions. You need 80% to pass. And no one really knew what to expect. So we decided to take it ourselves. In this episode, we walk through our experience sitting the highest-level version of the exam for naturalization. We talk about what surprised us, what felt straightforward, what was unexpectedly tricky, and how sophisticated the French language level actually is. We also put Daniel in the hot seat to see whether he would pass on the spot. The exam isn’t impossible, but it’s not something to treat casually either. Some questions test core republican principles. Others test history, institutions, and rights in ways that require real comprehension, not just memorization. If you’re preparing for naturalization or wondering how serious this new requirement is, this episode will give you clarity and perspective from the inside. As always, our team is here to help you prepare, not just legally, but practically.

Building a Life in France: Integration, Culture, and Starting Over

What does it actually mean to “integrate” in France? In this episode, Daniel sits down with Armelle, founder of Absolutely French, to talk about what life in Paris really looks like for immigrants and expat spouses. From language and cultural codes to work, community, and the emotional side of starting over abroad, they unpack why integration is about far more than paperwork. The conversation moves through French work culture, networking, learning the language, social habits, and the small misunderstandings that shape everyday life in France. Honest, practical, and often funny, this episode is a grounded look at how people really build lives here, not just move here.