Top Ten Blog Articles of All Time on the Francofile

Why do you read The Francofile? Here on the blog, Jalen and I cover a wide variety of topics, all revolving around our life as a French-loving American couple. Since we founded The Francofile together in 2019, we’ve published blog posts about language learning, the Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF), pursuing higher education in France, working in France, French culture, travel in France, and more! Different readers find themselves on The Francofile for different reasons. Whether you’re here because you’re trying to brush up on your French skills, you’re hoping to land a job in France, or you’re planning your next vacation in l’Hexagone, we’re excited to count you as a member of the community. But, which topics attract the most readers to our blog overall? Let’s take a look at our top ten blog articles of all time!

The exterior of Bibliothèque Robert de Sorbon at URCA.

10. Applying for a Master’s Degree in France: How to Know If You’ll Be Accepted

Applying for a master’s degree in France is an important decision that requires careful consideration, and it can be difficult to know whether or not you’ll be accepted. In this article, we share our own backgrounds, which programs accepted us, and suggestions for increasing your chances of being accepted into a master’s program in France.

9. Is the DALF C2 Really that Difficult?

The DALF C2 is the highest achievable credential for French as a foreign language, and the most challenging language proficiency test for French learners. In many ways, the DALF C2 is indeed as tough as it seems! However, despite its difficulty, passing the DALF C2 exam is not an insurmountable task.

Faux meat, green beans, bread, chips, cheese, pasta, marinara sauce, and yogurt.

8. Being a Vegetarian in France

French cuisine is known for its rich and diverse flavors, often centered around meat. Therefore, life as an American pescatarian in France is interesting! Luckily, despite its reputation, France is becoming a more welcoming place for both French and foreign vegetarians.

Maria standing among desks in an empty French classroom.

7. A Brutally Honest Review of Our Year with TAPIF

In this comprehensive article, we recount our TAPIF experience by providing an analysis of the various challenges and triumphs we encountered during our time as TAPIFers. It’s a must-read for anyone considering participating in TAPIF or seeking insights into the life of a language assistant in France.

6. Seven Deadly Sins of American Expats in France and How to Avoid Them

This article discusses seven common mistakes made by American expats living in France and provides pointers on how to avoid them. We offer our valuable advice for American expats in hopes of facilitating a more enjoyable experience living in France.

The towers of the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims against a soft orange and blue sky.

5. Twelve Great Emojis That Represent Life in France

This article offers a peek into French culture through emojis. We selected twelve emojis that encapsulate various aspects of life in France and explained the symbolism behind each one. Whether you are a language enthusiast, an emoji lover, or simply curious about French culture, this article is worth checking out.

4. How to Renew a French Student Visa Online: Our Personal Experiences

Renewing a French student visa online can be a complex process, but with our personal experiences, we aim to provide you with a comprehensive guide. By following the steps outlined in the article, you can successfully navigate the renewal process and continue your studies in France. It may seem overwhelming at first, but with proper preparation and attention to detail, it can be straightforward.

3. DALF C2 Test Experience and Five Insider Tips

In this article, we explore our personal experience taking the DALF C2 and provide insider tips that will help you succeed. From how we prepared, to what test day was like, to our final results, we didn’t hold anything back! With our guidance, you will be well-equipped to tackle this challenging exam and achieve the highest level of proficiency in the French language.

A close-up image of clothes drying on a rack.

2. Eight Important Cultural Differences Between France and the USA

France and the USA have significant cultural differences that affect our daily lives as Americans in France. While not every cliché about the French is accurate, there are a few norms that definitely took some getting used to! In this article, we discuss some of the lesser-known, but still significant, cultural differences between France and the USA.

A view of the fountain at the Palais Longchamp in Marseille, France.

1. French People Aren’t Rude, You Just Don’t Get Them

This article explores the common (mis?)perception that French people are rude. We suggest that when people fail to fully comprehend the intricacies of French culture, they misunderstand the way French people communicate and behave. We seek to debunk the stereotype that all French people are inherently rude.

We are delighted that articles spanning nearly every category of our blog are in our top ten – it tells us that our audience is just as excited as we are to explore the diversity of what it means to be a francophile. Both of our articles detailing our experience with the DALF C2 made the cut, and a couple articles on the more technical side qualified as well. A few posts about the experiences we’ve had as Americans in France round out the list, and the number one spot belongs to an unpopular opinion article! We look forward to sharing even more blog posts with you in the future on The Francofile. Do you see your favorite article on this list? Let us know in a comment!