Settling In: first impressions of homestay life.

It's been almost a week since my arrival in Paris and I've been staying with this lovely couple who host students in their Paris apartment in the 17e Arrondissement. Anne and Yves have been hosting students in their home for the past 10 years and are situated in an apartment among an amazing assortment of local businesses and landmarks. Only a 12-minute walk from the Arc de Triumph and 44-minutes from the Eiffel Tower, I couldn't ask for a better place to live while studying at Ferrandi Paris.

Anne and Yves have been incredibly welcoming and their home is exactly what I envision when I think of European Living.

It feels like stepping into a European dream, with antique furniture and artwork lining the walls.

The tall windows let in the soft morning light, highlighting the space's timeless charm. This is a home where history, culture and comfort come together effortlessly, completely immersing me in the Parisian experience.

Every morning we sit down for a very Euro breakfast. Black coffee, bread, butter and jam, a boiled egg and cakes like madeleines. A hearty meal with fresh and quality produce.

One of the first differences I’ve noticed is the quality and price of food here. Even in the large supermarkets, it’s incredibly easy to find fresh, high-quality fruit and vegetables, and at such low prices! The cost of food compared to Australia is astonishing. A croissant and a pain au chocolat together cost only around 3 euros, whereas back home, I’d easily pay at least $12 for the same.

Speaking of baked goods, the great thing about this area is that it's only about a 5-minute walk from Pl. Saint Ferdinand, a little square with a few cafes, boulangeries and brasseries. The local boulangerie is of course my favourites, with fresh viennoiserie, tartes and gateaux. I promise to work my way through every single one of their goods by the time I leave, but for now the croissants and pain au chocolats will do.

Thanks for following along!

Stay tuned for all of my upcoming adventures, cooking, learning & growing in Paris.

Until next time, from Willoh.