We've Always Had Paris...and Provence: A Scrapbook of Our Life in France by Patricia Wells

We've Always Had Paris...and Provence: A Scrapbook of Our Life in France Reviews

• 
  J.

  An easy read...Patricia is definitely the better writer. This is not a compelling book. But if you are an expat, it is always interesting to read how others adapt to their environment.
• 
  Pat

  I've always enjoyed the books and cookbooks that Patricia Wells has written. This is a memoir by she and her husband (an editor at the International Herald Tribune) of the thirty years they have lived in France. Interestingly enough, they have lived in France for so long, and they obviously have a deep affinity for the country and its people, but they have never become French citizens. You get the feeling, however, that they'll retire to the home they have in Provence so it's interesting that, while they make passing comments about the fact that they've always kept their American roots, it's not really clear to me why they haven't fully adopted the country they so obviously love.
  
  The memoir is told by both, each writing different slants on similar topics. There are interesting anecdotes and a lot more history of how Mrs. Wells came to change from a freelance writer into a cook herself who now also offers cooking lessons in both Provence and Paris than there is much in-depth on Mr. Wells' work life. It is also clear that the Wells' appear to have a healthy respect and love for each other. Lots of recipes, of course, but many of them can be found in some of her other books.
• 
  Susan

  I didn't think this book would interest me - just another book by expatriates to France. But I didn't know or remember that both Patricia and her husband had been writers all their lives. This turned out to be a surprisingly pleasurable read and it was inspiring how two people could follow their passions, and with a lot of hard work, have lives that make them happy. They also had the good fortune of living in France at a time when the US's gourmet culture was still young and Americans hungered (ha ha, I had to put that in there) to know more about French food.
• 
  Lua

  It was a bit depressing to compare myself (unfavorably) to Patricia Wells, who lives a version of my fantasy French life. She's an incredible cook and her "work" is traveling and reviewing delicious meals all over France. Her talents also include renovating houses, gardening, and even running her first marathon at age 60.
• 
  Casey

  Random quarantine read--nostalgic musings of purportedly humble, but otherwise outlandish culinary living in France.
• 
  JodiP

  This was so delightful--written by Patricia and Walter Wells. I always find it fascinating when people manage to creat the lives they want, and how they go about it. The recipes throughout the book were fun to look at as well. They are both quite funny and the years flew by.
  
  One quibble: they both complained quite a bit of being poor, but in their late 20s had bought a NYC apartment, then rented one in Paris, eventually buying one there as well as the farmhouse in Provence, and the de la Renta dresses and the Porsche. Some people have different definitions of broke, I guess!
• 
  Rose

  Interesting recounting of Patricia Wells' experiences during her years in Paris, as well as those of her husband.
• 
  Mripma

  If you’ve lived in France you will love this and if you haven’t, reading it will make you want to.
• 
  Travelmaven

  What adventures! Interesting stories. Fun read.
• 
  Amy

  ok
• 
  James

  The authors of this book set out on a professional adventure in the late 1970s when they both had opportunities to work in France for a couple of years. Patricia Wells had been working as a food writer for the New York Times and her husband Walter had senior editorial experience when they got the chance to re-locate and do their work in Paris. They thought the duration of their stay would be for 2-3 years, but when Walter retired 25 years later, they were still living and working in France. I've always enjoyed Paris as a visitor, but Harriet and Walter give us the view of Americans who found very interesting career paths that kept them is Paris. The couple loves food and Patricia became a noted restaurant critic, so the book overflows with stories about memorable meals and wine at numerous restaurants. Patricia loves to cook herself and she's included many of here favorite recipes.
  
  If you love French food and wine and imagine what it might be like to actually live in France, this book offers a glimpse of one couples' experiences. As noted in the title, they eventually split their time between Paris and Provence, so we get perspective on both Parisian and Provencal ways of life. Patricia's style is exuberant whereas Walter writes with the cool professionalism you'd expect from a man with many years tenure at both the Times and the International Herald Tribune. This is a fun book, particularly if enjoy hearing tales about fine cuisine, generous restaurant owners and a joie de vivre that can't be faked.
• 
  Helen

  Leading American food authority on French food.
  
  She and her husband live in France where she teaches cooking to tourists, foodies and anyone interested in local cuisine. She has written numerous cookbooks.
  
  This is their (she and her husband Walter) memoir of their 'new' home and how they arrived there. Told from each point of view it is highly entertaining and captivating.
• 
  Meg

  Two of our most famous Francophile expatriats muse of the good life they've created for themselves both in Paris and Provence. Patricia's narrative was much stronger than Walter's, but like any good working partnership, they clearly are in love with their work, with France, and with one another. We are merely along for the ride.
• 
  Linda

  I found it very interesting to read what was behind Patricia Wells interest in food-how she started writing about it, wrote the books and started giving cooking lessons. I liked reading what her husband had to say as well about their lives in both Paris and Provence.
• 
  Danie P.

  I really enjoy travelogues and this expat couple memoir about moving to Paris,France and then to Provence and building a life was wonderful. I didn't want it to end. Patricia Wells includes some of her favorite recipes and tons of pictures.
• 
  Melanie Rightmyer

  I found the first half of the book rather boring but enjoyed it a bit more when they bought the house in Provence. Even so, it is not a book I would own or read again so that is why I only gave it 2 stars.
• 
  Shannon

  Rather boring and not enough photos of their life in Paris.
• 
  Andrea

  I got this as a freebie, and I'm enjoying hearing about their trajectory that brought them to France - and getting a few new recipes too.
• 
  Junita

  Charming and funny, if a little self-indulgent (not that you wouldn't have guessed that from the title).
• 
  Tammy

  B Wells
• 
  Rissi

  Slow start, but did get interesting. Some good recipes.
• 
  Megan

  Ended up skimming most of it, but they seem like wonderful people who have had a wonderful life!