Is the Phantom of the Opera just a legend, or is there truth hidden in the shadows of Paris’ opulent opera house? I’m uncovering the secrets of the Palais Garnier—its stunning architecture, fascinating history, and eerie tales that have captivated imaginations for over a century. From its glittering grand staircase to the hidden underground lake, every corner of this Parisian masterpiece has a story to tell.

But it’s not just about beauty and grandeur. The Palais Garnier holds mysteries that blur the line between fact and fiction. Could Gaston Leroux’s infamous Phantom have been inspired by real events? Join me as we step behind the curtain and into the heart of the Palais Garnier—it’s a journey you won’t want to miss.

• The Story of the Paris Opera House and the Phantom of the Opera

I’m Kylie Lang, owner of Life in Rural France, a travel blog dedicated to helping others explore & discover all that France has to offer. On the blog, you’ll discover sections covering:

• City Guides - everything you need to know about visiting cities such as Paris, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Rouen, La Rochelle and many more.
• Moving to France - lots of resources to help you plan your move from visas and insurance to sim cards and watching TV.
• French Travel News - discover what’s happening in France, from festivals and events to the latest deals and offers.

If there is anything you’d like to know about living in France, the French culture or the history of this wonderful country, feel free to DM me on Instagram @lifeinruralfrance

Are you a Harry Potter fan? Have you ever googled Nicolas Flamel to see if he was a real person? If you have, you’ll know he was an alchemist who lived in Paris.

He wasn’t just a figment of J.K. Rowling’s imagination; he was a real man who had lived in the Middle Ages. Now, for those of you who don’t know, Nicolas Flamel appeared as a character in “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” (known as “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” in the U.S.).

But what’s fact, and what’s fiction? Let’s dive in and discover everything there is to know about Nicolas Flamel, Harry Potter, and the Alchemy quest.

• The Truth Behind Nicolas Flamel and His Life in Paris

I’m Kylie Lang, owner of Life in Rural France, a travel blog dedicated to helping others explore & discover all that France has to offer. On the blog, you’ll discover sections covering:

• City Guides - everything you need to know about visiting cities such as Paris, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Rouen, La Rochelle and many more.
• Moving to France - lots of resources to help you plan your move from visas and insurance to sim cards and watching TV.
• French Travel News - discover what’s happening in France, from festivals and events to the latest deals and offers.

If there is anything you’d like to know about living in France, the French culture or the history of this wonderful country, feel free to DM me on Instagram @lifeinruralfrance

Paris may be the city of love, but it also has its darker side, where the ghosts of centuries gone by roam freely. So, instead of strolling down the Champs Elysées, we’ll be visiting Box No. 5 in the Opera House and enjoying some murder mystery at the Louvre. And that’s just for starters.

As the sun sets and darkness descends, Paris reveals a more spectral side hidden in the shadows of its iconic monuments and cobbled lanes. The Ghost Tours in Paris take you through forgotten alleyways, unearthing chilling tales that have stood the test of time.

The myths and legends in a city like Paris are plentiful, so if you’re brave enough to join me, it’s fun to do as the nights draw in and Halloween approaches.

• Take a Trip Through the Spookier Side of Paris and Reveal Some Fascinating Stories
• Seven Fun Ghost Tours in Paris To Do at Night

I’m Kylie Lang, owner of Life in Rural France, a travel blog dedicated to helping others explore & discover all that France has to offer. On the blog, you’ll discover sections covering:

• City Guides - everything you need to know about visiting cities such as Paris, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Rouen, La Rochelle and many more.
• Moving to France - lots of resources to help you plan your move from visas and insurance to sim cards and watching TV.
• French Travel News - discover what’s happening in France, from festivals and events to the latest deals and offers.

If there is anything you’d like to know about living in France, the French culture or the history of this wonderful country, feel free to DM me on Instagram @lifeinruralfrance

Who doesn't relish a spine-chilling ghost story? France, steeped in history, offers an abundance of eerie haunts and spectral legends. Each contributing its own chilling narratives, from ethereal damsels draped in white to phantom steeds searching for their masters. These spectral tales often echo within the stone walls of centuries-old castles.

Would you dare to spend a night in one of these haunted châteaux or roam its darkened halls after dark? While I might hesitate, my curiosity about the legends, stories and history behind these ghostly encounters only grows stronger. Join me as I explore these mysterious legends and uncover the truths woven into their spectral fabric.

• Five Haunted Castles in France That Will Keep You Up at Night
• The Christmas Gift Guide for Francophiles

I’m Kylie Lang, owner of Life in Rural France, a travel blog dedicated to helping others explore & discover all that France has to offer. On the blog, you’ll discover sections covering:

• City Guides - everything you need to know about visiting cities such as Paris, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Rouen, La Rochelle and many more.
• Moving to France - lots of resources to help you plan your move from visas and insurance to sim cards and watching TV.
• French Travel News - discover what’s happening in France, from festivals and events to the latest deals and offers.

If there is anything you’d like to know about living in France, the French culture or the history of this wonderful country, feel free to DM me on Instagram @lifeinruralfrance

If you’re looking for a fairytale castle in France, look no further than Chateau de Chenonceau. Stood on an arched bridge across the Cher River, its reflection perfectly captures the magic of the building within. From being the residence of some of France’s most powerful women to playing an active role in the French resistance, its walls have many stories to tell.

A visit to the chateau will take you back to 16th-century France when it was built. You’ll travel slowly back to the 21st century, meeting a King’s mistress, a Queen, a French salonist, and a socialite, to name but a few.

Its Renaissance architecture and medieval roots have earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It’s instantly recognizable and is one of the most photographed chateau in France. So, let me take you on a trip back in time when a fortified castle and mill were demolished, and a chateau was built.

• The Secrets of the Ladies Chateau, Chateau de Chenonceau

I’m Kylie Lang, owner of Life in Rural France, a travel blog dedicated to helping others explore & discover all that France has to offer. On the blog, you’ll discover sections covering:

• City Guides - everything you need to know about visiting cities such as Paris, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Rouen, La Rochelle and many more.
• Moving to France - lots of resources to help you plan your move from visas and insurance to sim cards and watching TV.
• French Travel News - discover what’s happening in France, from festivals and events to the latest deals and offers.

If there is anything you’d like to know about living in France, the French culture or the history of this wonderful country, feel free to DM me on Instagram @lifeinruralfrance

From an illegal underground party complete with an orchestra and 100 guests in the 19th century to secret meetings of the French Resistance during World War II, the Paris Catacombs have more than their fair share of history surrounding them.

The bones of 6-7 million people are stored down in this network of tunnels, but did you know that before the catacombs were used to store bodies, they were mined for limestone to build attractions such as the Louvre? It was, in fact, an underground quarry.

Or that there is a group of people known as “Cataphiles” who live, or more accurately squat, down in the tunnels. It’s quite the story. There are police who patrol the tunnels, dubbed the “Cataflics,” who chase the “Cataphiles.” If those tunnels could talk, they’d have quite the story to tell, so join me as I go below the Paris streets to reveal the stories of the Paris Catacombs.

• Discover the secrets of the Paris Catacombs
• The Private VIP Tour I did of the Paris Catacombs

I’m Kylie Lang, owner of Life in Rural France, a travel blog dedicated to helping others explore & discover all that France has to offer. On the blog, you’ll discover sections covering:

• City Guides - everything you need to know about visiting cities such as Paris, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Rouen, La Rochelle and many more.
• Moving to France - lots of resources to help you plan your move from visas and insurance to sim cards and watching TV.
• French Travel News - discover what’s happening in France, from festivals and events to the latest deals and offers.

If there is anything you’d like to know about living in France, the French culture or the history of this wonderful country, feel free to DM me on Instagram @lifeinruralfrance

When I first moved to France, my French left a lot to be desired. It is still far from perfect, but I can get by now and have a little book of phrases that help me get out of all situations. So today, I thought it would be fun to introduce you to Virginie, a French teacher who helps expatriates who live in France improve their level of French and integrate successfully so that they feel confident and more at ease.

She’ll be sharing some fun tips on how to improve your French and some common mistakes all English speakers make, as well as some of those hilarious faux pas where a direct translation means something quite different from what we think it does - this includes me telling my post lady I was feeling horny.

No, of course, that’s not what I thought I was telling her; I thought I was telling her how hot I was, weather hot, not that type of hot. So buckle up, as it’s back to school time today, and together, we learn a few key French phrases to make your next trip to France smoother.

• My French Booster Course (€7 Discount built in)
• Join Virginie's Newsletter
• Follow Virginie on Instagram
• Listen to Virginie's Podcast

I’m Kylie Lang, owner of Life in Rural France, a travel blog dedicated to helping others explore & discover all that France has to offer. On the blog, you’ll discover sections covering:

• City Guides - everything you need to know about visiting cities such as Paris, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Rouen, La Rochelle and many more.
• Moving to France - lots of resources to help you plan your move from visas and insurance to sim cards and watching TV.
• French Travel News - discover what’s happening in France, from festivals and events to the latest deals and offers.

If there is anything you’d like to know about living in France, the French culture or the history of this wonderful country, feel free to DM me on Instagram @lifeinruralfrance

Halloween isn’t as big in France as in some countries. I’m yet to have a trick-or-treater at my door. Instead, it's all about All Saints' Day, the day after Halloween, a time of remembrance deeply embedded in French culture. From eerie tales to historical lore, I’ll be revealing why, in France, this time of year is about more than just tricks and treats.

But that's not all. We’ll wander through the winding paths of Père Lachaise Cemetery, the final resting place of legends. Often shrouded in the autumn mist, this cemetery isn't just about who's buried there; it's about the stories that linger like whispers among the mausoleums and monuments.

So, join me as we discover how these traditions resonate with the French, the eerie allure of Père Lachaise, and lift the veil on the mysterious, historical, and deeply cultural aspects of Halloween and All Saints' Day in the heart of France.

• The History of Celebrating Halloween in France
• The Story Behind All Saints Day
• A Visit to Some Famous Graves in Pere Lachaise Cemetery
• The French Romeo and Juliet, Heloise and Abelard

I’m Kylie Lang, owner of Life in Rural France, a travel blog dedicated to helping others explore & discover all that France has to offer. On the blog, you’ll discover sections covering:

• City Guides - everything you need to know about visiting cities such as Paris, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Rouen, La Rochelle and many more.
• Moving to France - lots of resources to help you plan your move from visas and insurance to sim cards and watching TV.
• French Travel News - discover what’s happening in France, from festivals and events to the latest deals and offers.
• Héloïse And Abélard the French Romeo & Juliet

If there is anything you’d like to know about living in France, the French culture or the history of this wonderful country, feel free to DM me on Instagram @lifeinruralfrance