I was a young (ish!) staff writer on French Magazine when it launched back in 2001 and became Editor after a few years at the editorial coalface. FrenchEntrée then acquired the magazine in 2010, when I also became editor of the website.
We have a huge database of properties for sale, so lots of readers enjoy browsing for their dream French property. We also have a very active and popular forum full of passionate Francophiles. They are great at providing advice to fellow members and enjoy a lively debate!
I love films – as well as for my own magazine, I also review them for our sister title France Today – and enjoy a good cookery session with a glass of wine or three.
We’ve gone through two major redesigns online since then, the most recent having been completed in September 2014, when we also launched our Community Contributors initiative. http://www.frenchentree.com/community-area/frenchentree-community-contributors/This allows amateur and unpublished writers and bloggers to share their articles on all manner of subjects about their life and visits to France – so many people have interesting things to say so we are happy to give them the platform. If any TAG members would like to write for us, they can email me at justin@francemedia.com.
The magazine, meanwhile, is also going from strength to strength, inspite of naysayers deeming print publishing to be on its last legs. Subs and readership are up and we have many tourist boards and other great advertisers who continue to support us.
Do you live in France or would you consider living here?
No, I live in Bath where the France Media offices are. I would love to live in France one day - I dream of my own piece of paradise, perhaps in Provence or Vendée.
Who do you consider your readership to be?
Our readership is vast (over 250,000 people visit the site every month) and varied. Some readers enjoy our website and magazine for pure escapism - they love French holidays, gastronomy and culture - while others are keen to learn all about the property buying process or seek advice on a multitude of aspects of living in France. We have a huge database of properties for sale, so lots of readers enjoy browsing for their dream French property. We also have a very active and popular forum full of passionate Francophiles. They are great at providing advice to fellow members and enjoy a lively debate!
Which area appeals to you most in France?
I’ve been all over France (well, nearly all over - Alsace remains on my must-see list) and I find something to love everywhere. I swoon in Paris, I love the light and glamour of the Riviera, the markets of Provence are a joy to behold... there are too many favourites to mention!
One thing that remains constant is people’s passion for their terroir – you will always find local ingredients and recipes on the plate and local wine in the glass – no matter where in France you happen to be.
What are your interests outside work?
I’m very keen on sports, playing badminton and watching lots of rugby (par for the course in a rugby town like Bath – Toulouse were over recently, and I watched them beat us). I love films – as well as for my own magazine, I also review them for our sister title France Today – and enjoy a good cookery session with a glass of wine or three.
Do you have pets?
No, I have to make do with visiting my Mum’s zany golden retriever, Rebus!
Do you speak French and is it needed in your work?
I would say it’s fairly essential, yes - I need to be able to read lots of tourism information in French and speak to people to get photos, plan trips, go on guided tours, etc.
I did a degree in French lanaguage and literature twenty odd years ago and speak or write French most days. I’m fairly fluent, though I struggle to keep up with slang, effing and jeffing or some strong local dialects! And whenever I’m off in France looking at things with a guide I’m ususally exhausted after a day of translating in my head!
Val says interesting getting feedback from a " real " editor. TAG has aprox 19,000 readers a month.
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