Fact Sheets & Video - Paris

An Aussie Abroad in Paris

Ex Sydneyite Debbie Pitt relocated to Paris with her husband around four years ago. Prior travels to France revealed that it could be a challenging country - especially when everyone speaks French and very little English.

Living in an apartment in Montmartre, or "the village" as it is frequently referred to, provides an endless source of little surprises near the Pitts' doorstep. With their apartment overlooking the picturesque Square S. Buisson Park, Debbie is blessed with a picturesque outlook while painting.

One of Debbie's favorite eateries for lunch in Montmartre is the quaint Lepic Assiette (Lepic Plate). Located on rue Lepic, its signature dishes are savoury (galettes) and sweet crepes. It also holds art exhibitions, where Debbie has had the opportunity to have her own photographic exhibition. A little known, less crowded and favoured vantage point of the Eiffel Tower is from Butte (Hill). It's a particularly good spot to watch the fireworks on Bastille Day when the entire nation celebrates.

Debbie is a member of the "Societe d'Histoire et d'Archaeologie" otherwise known as "Le Vieux Montmartre", which owns and operates the Musee de Montmartre. This little hidden museum is crammed full of art and history. Apparently the highly acclaimed Renoir once lived in the building. Another artist, Steinlen, who is famous for including cats in his paintings, also lived there for a time, while the artists who live there today are continuing the trend by keeping cats there.

To truly enjoy Paris, Debbie has learnt that it is essential to get to know the local language and protocols. For example, in order to be served in a shop it is always important to greet the shop attendant with "bonjour". Debbie first started to speak French by learning the names of fruit and vegetables at the local shop as this was the only way she was able to buy them. The main shopping area in Montmartre that she likes to frequent is rue Lepic and rue des Abesses - an interesting area brimming with colour and life, where the boutique shops are more like the traditional, classic Paris.

Another way to acquire the French tongue is by attending a language course at the British Commonwealth Women's Association (BCWA). Located near the infamous Arc De Triomphe, it is regarded as an expat's home away from home. The organisation runs a range of activities for women who are of British Commonwealth background, and have relocated to Paris. Courses include learning French, scrapbooking and yoga, to name a few.

Today, not only is Debbie known as "l'Australienne" by most of the shopkeepers and some of the residents there, after much effort and persistence to adapt to the French way of life she is now accepted as a "Montmartrianne". But one of the 'pitfalls' of Debbie and her husband moving to Paris has been the number of phone calls received from fans of famous Hollywood actor Brad Pitt, believing they have stumbled on his Parisian apartment!

Further Information

BCWA - British and Commonwealth Women's Association

http://bcwa.paris.online.fr/