A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse
This week I opened my mailbox to find the latest issue of France Today. Inside was an article I’d written about the Canadair—that cheery red-and-yellow airplane that skims the Mediterranean, scoops up thousands of liters of seawater, then races off to battle wildfires.
When I turned in the story a couple of months ago, I remember wondering if it would still be timely for the September/October issue. Surely the worst of fire season would be behind us by then.
Instead, within a day of the magazine arriving, wildfires began making headlines across France. Soon, I began receiving emails from family and friends worried about us. Longtime reader, Janine wrote:
Dear Kristi,
I hope you, your family and house are safe. If you have time please reassure me. Thinking of all of the French people involved. 💕 Janine
Here in La Ciotat we are fine (even if a persistent breeze is a reminder of how fast flames can spread). But messages soon began arriving from neighbors in Les Arcs-sur-Argens, a medieval village where Jean-Marc and I raised Max and Jackie and, incidentally, where this blog began back in 2002.
One photograph made my heart skip a beat. At first I didn’t recognize what I was looking at. Then I saw the familiar stone façade in the background.
It was our old driveway.
The image was taken by our friend, Brigitte. Beyond the ashes, I searched for our kids’ swing-set, beside the old boules court, but couldn’t see it.
The car parked in the front had been reduced to a blackened skeleton, and part of the chain-link fence surrounding the property had burned. I showed the photograph to Jean-Marc, who studied it quietly before sharing a bittersweet memory.
When we first bought that villa, the yard was filled with pine trees—perhaps a dozen of them. Jean-Marc wanted to remove them to create a little soccer field for the kids and a mini dog park for our newest family member, Breizh.
As for the tree project, one of our neighbors was furious. He couldn’t understand why anyone would cut down such beautiful trees. Looking again at the photograph, Jean-Marc shook his head.
“If those trees had still been there,” he said, “the house would have burned!”
I could hear a mixture of bitterness and pride in his voice. More than anything, though, there was sadness.
I remember how difficult it was to leave that house all those years ago, when Jean-Marc began his first winery and we packed up the kids, our dog, and moved to Saint Cécile-les-Vignes.
That move brought many blessings, including a new family member, the only boy in a litter of five goldens, our dear Smokey. (No, we didn’t name him—or his mama “Breizh”—after some sort of fascination with BBQs, flames, or fire! The first was named after Jean-Marc’s boyhood cat. And darling Smokey was named par hasard.)
As for the random nature of things, we may never find out whether these recent fires are random or not. The thought that anyone would purposely set one, c’est inimaginable. That may explain my husband’s recent outrage….
During breakfast here with my niece and nephew (my sister and family have arrived for a visit) we overheard a loud altercation—an intense prise de bec!—out on the street. We all hurried to the fence. And there, arms flailing, was my husband—chewing out a driver. The woman had her arm hanging out the car window, a cigarette dangling. She had just tapped the mégot, scattering a few smoldering ashes onto the roadside.
I don’t know exactly what Jean-Marc was shouting to the passerby. My own thoughts were racing.
La France est en feu, Madame! Faites attention! Utilisez votre cendrier!
FRENCH VOCABULARY
le Canadair = amphibious firefighting airplane
la boule = metal ball used in the game of pétanque
le terrain de boules = boules court
Breizh = Brittany (the Breton name for the French region of Brittany)
par hasard = by chance; randomly
le mégot = cigarette butt
être en feu = to be on fire
C’est inimaginable. = It’s unimaginable.
la prise de bec = argument
Faites attention ! = Be careful! / Watch out!
utiliser votre cendrier = use your ashtray
La France est en feu ! = France is on fire!
REMERCIEMENTS
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Thank God you and your family are OK, Kristi! I am keeping you and your family in my heart and prayers and all the people in France and Spain who are suffering through these terrible fires.
So sad to think about losing places which are held dear in our memories but itis a reminder that our time is limited and should not be spent so much on things as on connecting with and enjoying the blessing of the people in our lives. Am praying for all those affected by fire and as to Jean-Marc’s altercation – I have had a decades-long battle with cigarette smokers who treat the world as their ashtray. While I understand it is their choice to take up this toxic habit, in general smokers should be more mindful that a) if they smoke around non-smokers, they will be overriding the non-smoker’s choice to NOT damage his/her lungs with smoke and b) the world is NOT their ashtray. Every time I walk my dog and see the footpaths and gutters littered with cigarette butts, I lament that this causes not only visual pollution and environmental harm but it will also be washed into the stormwater system where it will eventually put toxic chemicals into our waterways and poison the marine environment and marine life.
Kristi — I’ve been wondering if you were affected by the fires and I’m relieved that you, your family, and home are safe.
I’m glad the house is still there Kristi. Yesterday, quite at random, I drove through my old neighborhood only to discover the house I grew up in is no longer there. It has been replaced by a McMansion. While disorienting to see a new house on the street, the memories I hold of “my” house will never fade. Thank you for sharing your life, memories, and future with all of us.
Grateful you are all safe! Praying for France…..
so glad you and your family are safe. big hugs and love
I’m so glad to hear you all are safe!
It was a close call for your old home. I was sad hearing that you cut the pine trees, but as you say, that may have spared the house. I have fond memories of all my old residences too.
Great magazine article! Thanks for sharing it.
My husband Craig did fire attack in the western USA for many years. He managed wildland fires from an airplane, including guiding water tankers, scoopers, ground crews, etc. on large fires.
We sold our home in Montana and currently have a boat in France. We got back to it yesterday in Toulouse and had temperatures of 102 degrees (F). Yes, there’s a nice breeze here too, but between it, the high temps, and low humidity, it’s contributing to all these blazes. Hoping this will be the last of the four heat waves in France this year!
Take care, and thanks for the stories.
-Lori
A lovely story of past memories. I’m happy that your family is safe and together. A great birthday picture. Happy # 80 Julie and many more.
Dear Kristi,
I’m so glad to hear that your home that hosted so many fond memories survived the blaze. !! I love that photo of Max and Jackie with the puppies! 🐾💕
Happy early birthday Jules, and have a great visit with Heidi, Regan and Payne. It’s so hard to believe that Regan has graduated university! The first time my daughter Emma babysat those kiddos, Regan was just a little bug who was still in diapers. Time flies!!
Amicalement,
Sue Lathrop
PS. The western United States is ablaze as well! 😩
My heart is breaking for my lovely France. I spent a few months in and around Bordeaux in my 20s. Unfortunately we are on fire here in Canada too. Fire fighters are here from as far away as Australia and Mexico to help us. I always thought the USA were own close friends. Sadly all we get from them lately is vulgar politicians wanting to destroy us.
Jerry, there are over 2,000 U.S. firefighters helping Canada right now and happy to do it, just as Canada has helped the U.S. numerous times. Please see this article: https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/news-releases/us-firefighters-continue-support-canada-during-record-breaking
Oops, sorry, Jerry, that is an old post from 2023. There are U.S. firefighters in Canada right now, but not as many as in 2023. https://www.facebook.com/CanadaFP/posts/we-sincerely-thank-our-american-neighbours-for-their-valuable-assistance-firefig/1483403250492648/
Dear Kristin — So glad you are ok. Thank you for sending this update. The reports from France are so scary and distressing. Since I am a longtime subscriber, I do remember the first house and your move. Hard to believe it was so long ago. Love the pictures of the kids, too. Beautiful memories of the great life you two have built. Happy Birthday to your mom.
Toutes mes amities.
Ophelia
This situation is dire in many areas…so heartbreaking to see the damage. Just so glad you’re safe where you are now. Stay safe and keep cool. Amities, Gayle
Stay safe! I hope the fires do not reach you, and I wish they are soon under control!
Our dear Kristi,
What a gifted writer you are! I was so moved by your wonderful article in France Today!( I always look for your articles and always applaud your talent!)
Unending prayers of gratitude that you and your beautiful family are safe!( Unending prayers,too, for all the people in France who are affected by this !) We felt the chills you experienced lookingbatbyour gormer house and property! I can only truthfully say that It is difficult for someone to truly contemplate the horror involved unless you have lived through it.Several years ago, fires broke out all around Santa Barbara, and surrounded everyone’s homes and properties, including ours.We witnessed flames and smoke .across our street.Ultimately, we had to evacuate three different times.First time there wasn’t much warning; trying to keep a clear head of medecines and necessities needed to grab and take was an enormous challenge. Grateful to God for sparing us but unable to overcome emotion as we were forced to drive away is absolutely something we will never forget.Even more apparent in retrospect now is His mercy –omnipresent and unending.
On a brighter note, as always, loved your pictures( they brought your words to life!)– especially gorgeous Jules! Happy early birthday,dear one!!
Blessings always
Arms tight around all of you.
Love
Natalia. XO
Very happy to hear you all are safe. In June I spent a week in Aix to retrace footsteps where W and I spent so many summers. Wonderful memories. As always I enjoy your articles.
The fires in France and Spain are horrifying. I heard today that they think they have contained the fires near Bordeaux, and I hope this is true. However, so much has been lost, and many lives both humans and animals have been threatened.
We live in Napa, CA, and we understand the devastation fires can bring as we have had some horrible ones here. There are so many fires in Canada right now that the smoke is drifting over Canada and many of the US states ruining the air quality.
Thank you for letting us know you are OK, and that your first home is still standing.
I live in Florida, but I visited several places in France one in and around Bordeaux where the wine is Magnifique last summer my family of eight spent several days in Hozier on Atlantic Ocean on that beautiful golden Sandy Beach so I know where the cape is that has been evacuated. We did not go there, but we love that area and could possibly live there someday stay safe. and use your ashtray😵💫☮️🥲
Im so glad that you’re all OK! It’s been such a scary summer. Of course 110 degrees is nothin new in Phoenix! But, I’m happy in Flagstaff right now. Gosh, I’ve been reading your blog for so long – I remember both beloved dogs!
Prayers of protection for the whole world 🌏
Love Love Love
🙏 So much to be grateful for …
I am glad you are all ok Kristi . So sorry
for the rest of France xxx
So glad you are safe and merci for your activist husband “enlightening”the truck driver. Unbelievable that humans are so incredibly dumb sometimes with their cigarettes. Beautiful article, but aren’t they all?
It is so heartbreaking to see the headlines in the news, about the raging fires in France and Spain. It brings tears to my eyes, I pray for the firefighters, 🙏 And pray that it will end soon.
Several years ago, we were on the verge of evacuation here in Oregon city, Oregon, just outside of Portland, due to the wildfires. I still have my evacuation list on the side of the Frigo.
Thanks for bringing us your lovely updates, once again. 🤞❤️
Glad to know that you are safe. Such a sad time for France.
So thankful you and yours are ok. Thanks for the memories and photos from Les Arcs Sur Argens, esp the puppies. Can’t believe how close the fire came. We are praying for France 🙏🏻
Happy Birthday, Jules! You are gorgeous ❤️
Yay! Jean-Marc is smiling (laughing)
Thinking of you all during this time of devastating fires – so glad you are okay, but understand the heaviness in your hearts.