• While fantasizing about a trip to the South of France, I realized it would be more fun with friends.
• I dropped my dream itinerary in a group chat with three friends I'd known for just a few months.
• To my surprise, they all wanted to go, and we had the trip of a lifetime.

I found myself crafting the perfect itinerary to the South of France, envisioning pristine beaches and dazzling scenery from Provence to the glamorous St. Tropez and Monaco, The dilemma? Though I was planning a solo trip, I realized it was actually the perfect destination for a glitzy girls' trip. The kind you make memories you'll still laugh about years down the line. Yet, as I'm nearing 40, the number of friends I have who can take time to travel as their lives move in the direction of marriage and growing families is dwindling.

So, I took the plunge and tossed my itinerary in a group chat a friend created after we all had a blast together at my birthday brunch, where they initially all met. I was nervous about the possible chorus of, "Love this but can't… maybe next year?" replies. But seconds later, responses like "I'm down!" and "I'd be interested" came rolling in.

Following the enthusiastic replies, we started seriously planning our trip to the French Riviera in another dedicated group chat.

Planning a trip with women I didn't know well had some challenges

That's when the frustrations kicked off. We were four women with vastly different vacation styles who were now planning a seven-day trip to the Côte d'Azur.

The first issue was the budget. The pings from the group chat were never-ending as we attempted to merge various travel practices and budgets to fit the group.

Initially, it was suggested to fly into a cheaper city and completely rearrange the original itinerary. It became overwhelming, and to avoid headaches before takeoff, we ultimately settled to move forward with what I initially proposed to the group. Once we all agreed on expectations, the next step was to finalize bookings.

From there, we leaned into each other's strengths to round out the finishing touches of the planning. I assumed the heavy lifting in finding the perfect places to stay. Because we didn't know each other well, we all agreed to look for accommodations that would allow everyone to have their own room — and if that didn't work, at least their own bed. We were excited to go on the trip, but also wanted to give each other space to unwind and recharge.

My method was simple: I looked around for spaces that fit the bill, selected my two favorite, and created a poll in the group chat for everyone to vote. It eliminated unnecessary back-and-forth and decision fatigue.

Chelsea, whom I had met in a group for girls who love fine dining, was the group's resident foodie. In a location as splashy as the South of France, it's easy to get lost in the ritzy beach clubs and restaurants and rack up unnecessarily expensive tabs for every meal. To help us avoid this, she did some digging on both the hot spots and local affordable gems. We didn't go a day wondering, "Where should we eat?"

Then, Jen and Michaela — who I had met individually, at a late-night museum event and art gallery, respectively — took on the responsibility of organizing travel during the trip, which included renting a fabulous convertible, perfect for navigating the beautiful coasts and charming towns.

We wanted the freedom that comes with renting a car but also needed someone who could maneuver the endless winding roads, which Jen agreed to tackle for the entire trip. And with Michaela coordinating plans for flights, trains and yachts when needed, the group trip made it out of the chat in less than a month.

We all pitched in and planned an amazing trip

Everyone pitched in, which ensured no one was burdened by an unfair amount of responsibility. I occasionally chimed in with restaurant suggestions, and we designated a second captain to assist Jen while navigating unfamiliar roads.

Additionally, we all gave each other freedom to explore while still relishing each other's company, whether it was sharing a bottle of wine with the freshest fish as the sea stretched ahead, partying at a beach club, or having a siesta on our sun-drenched balcony before a night out.

A key to a successful group trip is also accepting everyone does not have to be attached at the hip. While in Monaco, two of us spontaneously decided to splurge on a helicopter tour while the other two settled into a fabulous lunch with glasses of rosé. That kind of flexibility ensured everyone walked away satisfied at the end of the trip.

You often hear the true test of friendship is if you can travel together. For us, our stay in the South of France was just the beginning of our friendship. We all took pieces of each other home. Thanks to Chelsea, I'll always remember to look for hidden gems away from tourist traps, and I've expanded my wine lists thanks to Jen, who often said, "Why not just order a bottle?" I also came home with an appreciation for jumping off yachts with Michaela. While still laughing from memories we just made, we departed already throwing out potential ideas for our next getaway.

• When Victoria Lamson's son was 10 months old, she took him on a trip to Ireland, the UK, and France.
• She and her husband planned ahead, investing in a sturdy stroller and calling hotels in advance.
• For the most part, they felt Europe was more child-friendly than the US.

When my husband and I first announced that we were bringing our 10-month-old son with us on a two-week European vacation, we got very mixed reviews.

Some friends and family said our timing was perfect: Deacon wasn't walking or talking yet, so it'd be easier to travel with him. Others thought it was a big mistake. Lugging around a stroller and dealing with tantrums — all while navigating unfamiliar cities — seemed miserable to them. Plus, they told us, Deacon would be too young to remember any of it. What was the point?

But even before I became pregnant, Mike and I agreed that we didn't want to isolate ourselves like so many newborn parents do. While we didn't know what to expect with our first child, we wanted to include him in our normal travel plans rather than living a strictly child-focused lifestyle.

We started small. One of our first excursions was a road trip from our home in San Francisco to visit family in LA when Deacon was two months old. As he got a little older, we saw that Deacon is a very chill individual. He rarely fussed and easily napped in his stroller.

So in 2019, we planned a trip to Ireland, the UK, and France. While it required a little more planning and was slower-paced than vacations before parenthood, it became one of our favorite ones.

A little prep made the trip smoother

When we went on our LA road trip, we invested in a Babyzen Yoyo stroller, made by a French brand. While it cost around $450, which is on the pricey end, it was worth it: it smoothly rolls over cobblestone streets and easily fits into an overhead bin. Six years later, we still use it with our second baby.

To set us up for success, I called some services in advance. Most long-haul flights offer limited bassinets for babies in rows with extra space, but those seats usually need to be reserved ahead of time. I also reached out to our hotels to make sure they had cribs they could bring out, and a car service in Dublin — our first destination — provided us with a car seat suitable for an infant.

The only unexpected snag was using my breast pump abroad. Because Deacon was older and already eating solid foods, my milk supply was lower and I didn't really need the pump as much. Still, as a first-time mom, I brought it because it's recommended by pediatricians to continue pumping for a full year and I wanted to do everything right.

I had a European outlet adapter, but I forgot about the wattage differences. When I plugged the pump in, it got completely fried. Luckily, I had Deacon with me for those few weeks and could make more stops to breastfeed him.

Europe was more child-friendly than home

Overall, Europe was very kid-friendly. London was easy to stroll through and full of parks we could stop at with Deacon.

We also didn't feel out of place bringing a baby to an Irish pub, even on St. Patrick's Day. Culturally, it's more of a norm to bring kids to bars and other "adult" spaces in Europe than it is in the US.

Out of everywhere we went, Paris was the hardest place to navigate; due to the city's style of architecture, we had to climb spiral staircases in bistros and brasseries when changing diapers. Still, the culture made us feel welcome. Our hotel surprised us with a beautiful crib and a teddy bear for Deacon.

It was such a stark difference from San Francisco. More often than not, there isn't a changing table in the bathroom. And when you can find one, it's only in the women's restroom, as if it's not also a father's responsibility to care for his child.

In contrast, we went to a very old restaurant in a small Irish seaside town. When I walked into the tiny bathroom, I was surprised to find fold-away changing tables in all the stalls.

Europe's positive attitude toward children and families is such a big draw. Even slight accommodations make such a huge difference when we travel.

We did everything we wanted

The experience taught us that we don't have to put our lives on hold with kids. When Deacon got sleepy on the trip, we just bundled him up in his stroller and used the opportunity to relax at a cafe.

After Europe, we went to a family timeshare in Tulum, Mexico at the end of 2019 — another wonderful vacation. In 2022, we took Deacon with us on a road trip around Atlanta, Savannah, and Charleston.

While it's tougher to travel with two kids now — our 17-month-old daughter is less easygoing than Deacon was at that age — we still take staycations and go out with our children.

Looking back, going to Europe was more fun because Deacon was with us, not in spite of it. It felt so special to have him with us, and we'll always hold on to those memories of early parenthood very fondly.

President-elect Trump attended the reopening ceremony of the Notre Dame Cathedral alongside First Lady Jill Biden and several other prominent world leaders.

Notre Dame was reopened on Saturday, five years after a fire caused serious damage to the landmark Gothic cathedral.

Trump was seated between French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, during the ceremony, which was also attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prince William.

Also in the same row as Trump was First Lady Jill Biden, who attended the event with her daughter, Ashley. President Joe Biden was not present.

TRUMP MEETS WITH MACRON, ZELENSKYY AHEAD OF NOTRE DAME REOPENING CEREMONY IN PARIS

Trump and the first lady greeted one another ahead of the ceremony.

Tesla CEO and close Trump ally Elon Musk also attended the ceremony.

The president-elect met privately with Macron and Zelenskyy ahead of the ceremony and was expected to meet with Prince William following the event.

The $740 million restoration project was funded by donations from 150 countries and involved the application of carpentry methods dating back to the 13th century. 

NOTRE DAME RISES FROM THE ASHES AS A SYMBOL OF HOPE

Sources familiar with the president-elect's plans told Fox News that Trump's attendance was at the invitation of Macron, who was the first foreign leader to congratulate Trump after his election win over Vice President Kamala Harris in November, CNN reported. 

About 50 heads of state were expected to be in attendance, Paris Police Chief Laurent Nuñez said in an interview published by French media outlet Le Parisien, but he did not specify who or from which countries. 

Social media users erupted over President-elect Trump's "dominating" handshake with French President Emmanuel Macron at their meeting in Paris Saturday.

Trump traveled to France to attend the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, his first international trip since winning the 2024 presidential election. Ahead of the event, Trump met Macron, and the two shook hands in a gesture that quickly went viral online.

"President Trump is back to dominating world leaders with his handshake," one user, George, wrote in a post on X. "Macron is going to need a hand massage after all that twisting and pulling Trump did to him."

TRUMP MEETS WITH MACRON, ZELENSKYY AHEAD OF THE NOTRE DAME REOPENING CEREMONY IN PARIS

"President Trump manhandles French President Emmanuel Macron with one of the most dominating handshakes I’ve ever seen," said commentator Drew Hernandez. "We are so back."

DAVID MARCUS: TRIUMPHANT TRUMP AT NOTRE DAME SIGNALS AMERICA AND THE WEST ARE BACK

Colin Rugg wrote, "7 years later and the handshake battle continues between Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron."

During a meeting in 2017, during Trump's first term in office, the two world leaders had a 29-second handshake and appeared to be tugging back and forth as they walked with their wives.

"The Trump-Macron handshake is hilarious," author John Lefevre said in a post on X. "Because it happened twice. And you know Macron was told to prepare and probably practiced and then still got dominated."

Trump's handshakes with world leaders have gone viral over the years, including when he pulled in Russian President Putin's arm during a handshake at the G-20 Summit in 2019.

Trump attended the reopening ceremony alongside political figures, including first lady Jill Biden and Prince William.

President-elect Trump met with world leaders ahead of the reopening ceremony of the Notre Dame Cathedral as he steps back onto the global stage following his election victory.

Trump traveled to France on Saturday to attend the reopening of Notre Dame, the famous cathedral that suffered serious damage during a fire five years ago. The trip marks Trump's first international trip since he was elected to a second, non-consecutive term in office.

Trump's diplomacy was on full display during the trip as he met with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Presidential Palace in Paris. The pair was later joined by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"It's a great honor for French people to welcome you five years later," Macron said of Trump. "And you were, at that time, president for the first time. And I remember the solidarity and your immediate action. So, welcome back again. We are very happy to have you here."

‘BREATHTAKING SPEED’: TRUMP'S PARIS TRIP MARKS RETURN TO GLOBAL STAGE AS LEADERS TURN ‘THE PAGE’ ON BIDEN

Ahead of the meeting, Trump said the world leaders would be talking about how "the world is going a little crazy right now."

"We have a great relationship. As everyone knows, we accomplished a lot together," Trump said of Macron. "And the people of France are spectacular."

DAVID MARCUS: TRIUMPHANT TRUMP AT NOTRE DAME SIGNALS AMERICA AND THE WEST ARE BACK

Trump is expected to meet with Prince William, who is attending the event in place of his father, King Charles III, after the ceremony, according to Kensington Palace.

President Biden is not expected to attend the event, however, First Lady Jill Biden will be present.

William was scheduled to meet with the First Lady at the UK residence in Paris, but due to weather, the meeting was canceled, and the two will meet at the ceremony.

President-elect Trump is in Europe this weekend for his first overseas trip since his convincing victory in last month's presidential election.

Trump will meet with Emmanuel Macron after the French president invited him to attend Saturday's star-studded VIP event for the official reopening of the newly restored Notre Dame Cathedral, five years after a devastating fire wrecked the centuries-old Paris landmark.

First Lady Jill Biden will also attend the ceremonies, but it's Trump who will be holding court with world leaders.

The president-elect's appearance will serve as Trump's unofficial return to the global stage, and it is another reminder that he is quickly becoming the center of the world's attention.

TRUMP RETURNING TO EUROPE FOR FIRST TIME SINCE ELECTION

"This is without question a major moment in French history and the fact that Macron wanted to share it with Trump speaks to the significance of what Trump is achieving even before he gets to the Oval Office again, said Brett Bruen, a public affairs and strategic communications veteran, and former U.S. diplomat who served under both Democratic and Republican administrations.

"He is being feted quite literally in Paris with all the glitz and glamour," Bruen, president of the Global Situation Room, added.

WHY BIDEN'S PARDON OF HIS SON HUNTER IS A POLITICAL GIFT FOR TRUMP

And Bruen and other analysts give credit to Macron for inviting Trump to this weekend's festivities.

"This is a really smart move by Macron to get things rolling in the right direction when it comes to U.S.-French relations under Trump," he said. "But let's also not forget the fact that Macron is both badly weakened in his own country and on the European continent…[Macron] may see in Trump an opportunity to restore his lost luster as the European leader who can most effectively engage with the new American president."

Trump has taken a slew of calls in the weeks since the November election from international leaders congratulating him on his White House victory. 

The trip to Paris comes a week after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hastily made an unannounced stop in Mar-a-Lago to dine with Trump after the president-elect threatened a trade war with Canada and Mexico. 

DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS SAY THEY'RE THE ‘LAST LINE OF DEFENSE’ AGAINST TRUMP

Trump argued that Canada had failed to prevent large amounts of drugs and undocumented people from crossing the northern border into the U.S. and also pointed to America's massive trade deficit with Canada.

According to reporting from Fox News' Bret Baier, Trump suggested to Trudeau that Canada could become the 51st state.

Trump has also weighed in recently on a number of international conflicts. In the volatile Middle East, the president-elect warned this week in a social media post that there would be "ALL HELL TO PAY" if Hamas does not release all the hostages held in Gaza before he is inaugurated on Jan. 20.

News of Trump's invitation to Paris came earlier this week as President Biden was on a history-making trip to Angola, as he became the first American president to visit the sub-Saharan African nation.

But Biden, likely on his last overseas trip before Trump takes over in the White House next month, is already being overshadowed on the world stage by his predecessor and successor.

"While President-elect [Trump] is still weeks away from taking the oath of office, loyalties and the attention of world leaders has shifted to the incoming President and from Washington to Mar-a-lago with breathtaking speed," Wayne Lesperance, a veteran political scientist and president of New England College, told Fox News.

Matt Mowers, a veteran GOP national public affairs strategist and former diplomat at the State Department during Trump's first administration, made the case that "Biden’s essentially been a lame duck" for months and that "world leaders have been shifting their gaze to the next administration.

While members of the Biden White House would likely disagree with such sentiments - especially after the current administration played a large role in hammering out the cease-fire that halted fighting in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah - it is undeniable that world leaders have already started to engage directly with the incoming president and administration.

While the spotlight traditionally shifts from the outgoing to the incoming president, Mowers argued that "it is more pronounced this time because the difference in the Biden and Trump approach to foreign policy is so different."

Mowers emphasized that Trump is already aiming "to shape world events" by "being bold, not timid, in the statements he’s putting out, and the world is already reacting to that kind of American strength."

"World leaders that want to get something done… have to engage with Trump," he added.

Matthew Bartlett, a Republican strategist who served at the State Department during Trump's first term, told Fox News that "the world is demanding leadership" and that "the Oval Office has been replaced by Mar-a-Lago."

Lesperance, pointing to Biden's swing through Africa, noted that lame duck presidents' final weeks are "usually filled with celebratory moments and efforts to cement one’s legacy. Often the focus is on their role on the world stage on behalf of America and its allies.'

However, he argued that "Biden’s pronouncements on Ukraine, Gaza and the importance of climate change go largely ignored by world leaders. Instead, they focus on Trump’s picks for his foreign policy team and pronouncements about changes in U.S. foreign policy position. It’s pretty evident that while Biden attempts a victory tour, the world has turned the page."

• French Prime Minister Michel Barnier lost a confidence vote on Wednesday.
• The vote was triggered after he forced through part of the 2025 budget using an executive decree.
• It was France's first successful vote of no confidence in more than 60 years.

Michel Barnier, the French prime minister, lost a no-confidence vote in the National Assembly on Wednesday after left and far-right parties voted together.

The collapse of the 3-month-old government makes Barnier France's shortest-serving prime minister and could bring further upheaval to financial markets.

What's going on with France's public finances?

France's government deficit has ballooned in recent years after it spent billions on COVID-19 subsidies, tax cuts, and subsidies for energy bills, which soared following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.

The European Union expects France's government deficit to reach 6.2% of GDP this year — more than double the EU limit — before declining to 5.3% in 2025. France is facing an EU review over its deficit, though that's also the case for other member nations, including Italy and Poland.

France is set to spend more on servicing government borrowing this year than on defense.

Late last month, French government-borrowing costs briefly exceeded those of Greece, underlining investors' concern about its economic trajectory. It was a notable moment because Greece was at the center of the eurozone debt crisis less than 15 years ago.

Why was the budget a big problem?

Emmanuel Macron, the French president, appointed Barnier as prime minister in September in hopes of breaking a political deadlock following elections in July that left him without a parliamentary majority.

Macron hoped Barnier, who led the EU's negotiations with Britain after its decision to leave the bloc, could overcome differences with opposition parties and pass the 2025 budget.

It would have raised taxes and cut spending to the tune of about 60 billion euros, about $63 billion, to help restore the public finances.

However, after weeks of negotiations, amendments, and concessions to opposition parties, Barnier used an executive order on Monday to force part of it through without the approval of lawmakers in the lower house.

In response, the far-right National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, vowed to support a no-confidence motion brought by the left-wing New Popular Front.

On Tuesday, Barnier said he was open to negotiations with all political parties amid a "serious" and "difficult" situation.

However, his pleas fell on deaf ears and the motion was passed by 331 votes — the first time a no-confidence vote has succeeded in France since 1962.

What happens next?

Barnier is expected to resign but may continue as a caretaker until a new prime minister is appointed.

Macron, whose popularity has been on the slide, is under rising political pressure to appoint a replacement. Finding someone to do the job could prove difficult, however, and whoever takes over is likely to encounter the same obstacles as Barnier.

Next year's budget is now unlikely to be passed, although that does not mean there will be a US-style government shutdown in France. Instead, a provisional budget mirroring this year's document is likely to be implemented, economists at ING wrote.

UBS analysts wrote on Thursday: "Since there is little experience with the special laws to roll over a budget into the next year, uncertainty remains at this stage."

Antonio Fatas, a professor of economics at INSEAD, a French business school, told Business Insider ahead of the vote there was no reason for the rest of the European Union to panic as he didn't expect "contagion" to spread.

Fatas said the bloc could do without such a headache, given its anemic economic growth. Germany, the EU's largest economy, is also facing political instability after the collapse of Olaf Scholz's coalition government, with a snap election to be held in late February.

The euro was largely unaffected by the events and was trading at about $1.0517 on Thursday, while the Cac 40 was trading 0.3%.

Market strategists surveyed by Reuters on Wednesday expected the euro to remain weak due to the political turmoil in France and the threat of new US tariffs next year.

Under French law, new elections cannot be held until mid-2025. The political uncertainty France now faces could trigger a spike in borrowing costs and worsen its already-strained public finances.

• An Air France passenger is suing the airline for over $100,000, saying he was injured on a flight.
• Sofiane Licir said he sustained "serious" injuries when his business-class seat broke during takeoff.
• The suit says he was "propelled into the confines of his seating area" when pilots aborted takeoff.

An Air France passenger is suing the airline, saying he was injured when his business-class seat broke during takeoff.

Sofiane Licir's attorneys filed the suit, which Business Insider has seen, on November 20 in the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas.

The Texas resident is seeking over $100,000 in damages from the complaint.

It says that Licir was flying from Paris to Houston in December 2022. when he "sustained serious and permanent injuries." Exact injuries are not detailed in the lawsuit.

The Airbus A350 was apparently close to reaching takeoff speed when the pilots decided to abort their takeoff attempt, the suit says.

It adds that Licir's business-class seat then broke from the railings it was fastened to — causing him to be "propelled into the confines of his seating area."

The suit says that the Air France-KLM group's maintenance service failed to prevent the seat's mechanical failure.

Licir's attorneys are asking for damages under the Montreal Convention, an international treaty that stipulates airlines are liable for passenger injuries on board an aircraft unless they can prove the passenger was negligent.

The suit adds that the requested damages would exceed the Montreal Convention's minimum of $128,213.

Air France did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by Business Insider.

Seat issues on airlines are not unheard of, with frequent flights and fast turnarounds on planes sometimes meaning issues cannot be immediately resolved.

In May, a British Airways passenger said he endured a seven-hour flight with no headrest and an exposed bolt.

And last year, an Emirates passenger sued the airline saying his business-class seat was "absolutely disgusting" and didn't recline.

President-elect Trump will travel to Paris this weekend to attend the re-opening of the Notre Dame Cathedral, five years after a devastating fire damaged the 12th-century structure. 

Trump announced the Dec. 7 visit on social media. 

"It is an honor to announce that I will be traveling to Paris, France, on Saturday to attend the re-opening of the Magnificent and Historic Notre Dame Cathedral, which has been fully restored after a devastating fire five years ago," he wrote on Truth Social. "President Emmanuel Macron has done a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so."

NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL TO REOPEN, BRACES FOR INFLUX OF TOURISTS AFTER DEVASTATING FIRE 

"It will be a very special day for all!" he added. 

The invite-only ceremonies on Saturday and Sunday are expected to attract about 50 heads of state and governments. Aides to Trump were in talks with French President Macron’s office regarding the visit, sources confirmed to Fox News. 

Nearly $1 billion was raised to rebuild the iconic site after a catastrophic fire swept across the landmark in April 2019. Around $148 million of that sum remains. 

The blaze caused the collapse of the cathedral's roof and part of its exterior while destroying the interior.

HUMAN REMAINS AT NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL MAY HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AFTER MORE THAN 450 YEARS 

At the time of the blaze, Trump encouraged France to use "flying water tankers" to put out a raging fire. 

"So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris," he wrote. "Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!"

The cathedral was visited by more than 12 million people every year before the fire, according to the Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris' site.

French President Emmanuel Macron toured the site ahead of its reopening to the public on Dec. 8, describing the experience as "overwhelming," 

An estimated 15 million annual visitors are expected to book time-allocated slots upon the reopening, according to the cathedral’s website.

President-elect Trump has nominated Charles Kushner, the father of Jared Kushner, to serve in his new administration as the U.S. ambassador to France.

"I am pleased to nominate Charles Kushner, of New Jersey, to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to France," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Saturday. "He is a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker, who will be a strong advocate representing our Country & its interests."

In 2020, Kushner was pardoned by Trump 15 years after being found guilty of falsifying tax returns, witness tampering and illegal campaign contributions.

Kushner, the founder of Kushner Companies, served a two-year sentence for his conviction. The witness tampering charge stemmed from an incident where he paid a prostitute to seduce his brother-in-law into an encounter that was recorded on video. Kushner then sent the footage to the man's wife, Kushner's sister, in order to prevent her from testifying before a grand jury.

NEW YORK JUDGE GRANTS TRUMP REQUEST TO FILE MOTION TO DISMISS CHARGES, CANCELS SENTENCING INDEFINITELY

Kushner was prosecuted by then-U.S. Attorney General Chris Christie in 2005. Christie later called the case "one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes that I prosecuted when I was U.S. attorney," during a 2019 PBS interview.

Trump touted Kushner's accomplishments in his statement on Saturday, calling Kushner Companies "one of the largest & most successful privately held Real Estate firms in the Nation."

"He was recognized as New Jersey Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young, appointed to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, & served as a Commissioner, & Chairman, of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, as well as on the Boards of our top institutions, including NYU," Trump said.

TRUMP APPOINTS TULSI GABBARD AS DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE: 'FEARLESS SPIRIT'

"His son, Jared, worked closely with me in the White House, in particular on Operation Warp Speed, Criminal Justice Reform, & the Abraham Accords," his statement concluded. "Together, we will strengthen America’s partnership with France, our oldest Ally, & one of our greatest!"

In 2018, Jared Kushner worked to get the First Step Act passed by Congress, which focused on reforming federal prisons. Kushner became passionate about the issue after witnessing how his father had been treated in prison.

"President Trump promised to fight for the forgotten men and women of this country — and that includes those in prison," Jared Kushner wrote in the Wall Street Journal at the time.

Fox News Digital's Ronn Blitzer contributed to this report.

• Paris is great, but I prefer Bordeaux in the winter because it's less crowded and magical.
• The city is two hours south of Paris and has incredible holiday markets, shops, and food.
• Bordeaux has great wine and is a day trip away from famous spots like Saint-Émilion or Margaux.

As the oft-repeated saying goes, Paris is always a good idea. And although that's true, it can feel crowded and congested, especially during Christmastime.

That's why I now prefer to go to Bordeaux, the wine capital of the world, during the busy winter season.

This elegant city, just two hours south of Paris by train, is a real stunner filled with classic Haussmanian buildings, dramatic 18th-century neoclassical architecture, and picturesque cobblestone streets.

At less than half the size of Paris, Bordeaux gets a fraction of its millions of tourists a year, which makes it the perfect place to enjoy French esprit de Noël without feeling overwhelmed.

Bordeaux starts to get fully festive in November

In late November, Bordeaux transforms into a winter wonderland with festive lights and illuminated backdrops.

The season officially kicks off with a concert at the Opéra National de Bordeaux on Place de la Comédie, followed by the lighting of a 36-foot-high Christmas tree made of steel and glass.

For a breathtaking 360-degree view of the city, start your trip with the Les Caneles Cruise, an hour-and-15-minute ride up and down the Garonne River.

You'll learn about the city's fascinating (and troubling) history, architecture, and culture while sipping wine and munching on canelés, a famous local pastry. It's the perfect way to acclimate to Bordeaux.

The city has great seasonal shopping and eats

If holiday shopping and sampling local culinary specialties tops your list of must-dos, grab a cup of vin chaud (mulled wine) or chocolat chaud (hot chocolate) and wander through over 100 petite wooden chalets at the Grand Marché de Noël in Bordeaux's city center.

At this holiday market, local purveyors sell everything from hand-poured candles to grilled chestnuts. This year, the market has several workshops where you can make your own candles, maple butter, cosmetics, and more.

Or head to Darwin, the right bank's eco-district, for an alternative Christmas market featuring handcrafted goods, art, live music, organic food, and more. It's where all the cool kids hang out.

You can also wander along Rue Sainte-Catherine, Europe's longest pedestrian shopping street.

Maybe visit the posh Chartrons district north of the city center, where you'll find Rue Notre Dame, one of my favorite streets in Bordeaux.

It's filled with hip boutiques like the Do You Speak Francaise concept store, antique shops, restaurants, and my favorite place for canelés — Micheline and Paulette Bakery.

Warm up with wine, culture, and art

Bordeaux isn't called the wine capital of the world for nothing. There are wine bars are everywhere, serving the best vintages from the region.

Two of my top picks are Yarra Wine Bar and Le Bar à Vin. The latter is in a magnificent 18th-century building across from the Bordeaux Tourism office.

Here, you can order affordable regional wines by the glass and cheese plates, charcuterie, and other snacks. A top-notch glass of bubbly will only set you back about four euros.

If the weather isn't cooperating, you can always wander through the city's many museums, including the must-see Cité du Vin, an immersive wine museum, or Bassins des Lumières, the largest digital art center in the world located in a former submarine base.

Plus, it's in a prime location if you want to explore other parts of France

Another reason to spend the winter holidays in Bordeaux is you can easily visit nearby villages without having to elbow your way through hordes of tourists.

Weather and time permitting, you can take a half-day or full-day chateaux or winery tour to Saint-Émilion or Margaux, two of the world's most famous wine destinations.

I look forward to returning to Bordeaux this year to experience even more holiday joy and the city's many charms. Maybe I'll see you there?

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo joined Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s legal defense team this week, as the Jewish leader and his former defense chief Yoav Gallant face arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court (ICC) over their ongoing response to Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack.

Cuomo, a three-term Democrat who resigned in 2021 amid harassment allegations he has personally denied, also railed against antisemitism at a recent dinner with leaders of New York’s Jewish community.

Cuomo condemned what he characterized as whitewashing Hamas kidnappings and murders in Israel, telling the National Committee for Furtherance of Jewish Education he is proud to join Netanyahu’s defense.

He condemned the "denial" that too many people and "institutions" have about the scourge of antisemitism.

Cuomo said one Jewish leader, Rabbi Zvi Kogan, who had been reported as "missing" in the United Arab Emirates was not so, and instead was kidnapped and murdered by Hamas. Cuomo suggested such incorrect characterizations should be considered antisemitic.

CUOMO TESTIFIES ON NYS COVID ORDERS AND NURSING HOME DEATHS

"This is the moment that is going to be in the history books. This is a pivotal moment and this is the moment when true friends stand shoulder to shoulder and fight for the state of Israel," Cuomo said.

"I am proud to be on the legal defense team of the prime minister against the arrest warrant at the ICC – and I’m proud to stand against antisemitism."

The ICC charged Netanyahu and Gallant with crimes against humanity and war crimes, setting off a global firestorm as signatories to the court’s jurisdiction found themselves at odds with non-party allies like the U.S.

In recognizing the ICC, member nations have a sworn duty to uphold its edicts. Netanyahu’s warrant therefore presented the swath of Western nations – including the entire European Union – with a predicament that placed them counter to the U.S. and Israel.

Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts told Britain's GB News there would be "hell to pay for any international leader buying into this bulls---." That nation's leader, left-wing Prime Minister Keir Starmer, faces pressure from some members of his Labour Party who have cited an "obligation" to arrest Netanyahu, according to the outlet.

The Macron administration in France signaled Netanyahu will be treated as immune to the ICC because – while the French are signatories – Israel is not. 

CUOMO RESIGNS FROM NEW YORK GOVERNORSHIP

Separately, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot was asked if France would arrest Netanyahu, and responded that Paris is "very committed to international justice and will apply international law," according to the Jerusalem Post.

The warrants caused bipartisan outrage on Capitol Hill as Sens. John Fetterman, D-Pa., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and Reps. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., and Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., found rare agreement.

Graham told "Hannity" that he and Cotton seek to pass a law sanctioning any country aiding the ICC in arresting Netanyahu, while the other listed lawmakers all condemned the warrant.

Cuomo is also rumored to be considering a 2025 mayoral run in New York City – which is home to the largest Jewish community in the U.S. 

During his remarks, he cited the 1.6 million Jews in the Big Apple and said Hamas is demonstrating in the streets with masks while Jewish people are afraid to wear yarmulkes or Stars of David in public.

"That cannot happen in the state of New York," he said, adding a relevant law he signed as governor should be properly enforced.

In 2019, Cuomo approved antisemitic-hate-crimes legislation sponsored by state Sen. Todd Kaminsky, D-Long Beach, and launched a "No Hate In Our State" campaign soon after.

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A Cuomo spokesman directed Fox News Digital to video of the governor's speech and said in a statement the Democrat is proud to be part of a legal "dream team" for Netanyahu.

"As governor, Cuomo made fighting antisemitism and supporting Israel a top priority, passing landmark hate crime legislation, prioritizing security upgrades to religious institutions, creating a new hate crimes unit in the State Police and leading a state delegation to Israel when it was under attack," he said.

The ideological potpourri of the U.S., Russia, Cuba, Turkey, Vatican City and Malaysia are some of the more major nations who do not recognize the ICC.

Major U.S. allies Canada, Mexico, Australia and the United Kingdom recognize the Holland-based bench.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Netanyahu administration for comment.

Three years ago, when Mark Goff and Phillip Engel had their first viewing of Château Avensac in the south of France, only one thing prevented the California couple from putting in an offer: Was it old enough?

The gate tower, supporting walls, and stone bridge at the estate's entrance date back to the original medieval castle built in 1320. But the main building — a 48-room château with sweeping views of the Gers, the rural, foie-gras-producing region of southwest France — was rebuilt in the 1820s. "The idea of the royals and the nobles, to us, is a very romantic idea," Goff says. "That's why we love 'Bridgerton.'"

In the end, they decided there was "just enough 14th-century château stuff going on" to fulfill their fantasies and make it their new home. The place was certainly big enough to host weddings and artist retreats, a business the couple was counting on to help pay for the extensive renovations that would be required. By the fall of 2021, Château Avensac was theirs for $1.2 million.

That's when reality set in.

The château had exposed electrical wiring, "nonexistent" plumbing, and stone walls that retained moisture. Everywhere they looked, there was something in need of work. So far, they've spent $500,000 updating the château's electricity, heat, and plumbing, fortifying the foundations, and replacing the roof. They've budgeted for $500,000 more. "Everyone said, 'You have to assume everything is going to be double what you expect.' And they were kind of right," Engel says. "We didn't really listen to that part."

All across France, there's a glut of châteaus for sale. While the average asking price is $2 million, smaller châteaus can go for a couple hundred thousand. A few, like the palatial mansion nicknamed the "Little Versailles of the Pyrenees," are even being given away. But there's a reason they're on the market: The properties are huge money pits.

Real estate agents say buyers should expect to set aside as much as 1.5% of the purchase price for annual maintenance, and significantly more if the château requires extensive renovations. And if the place is classified as a historic monument, as some 15,000 are, add to the process a small mountain of French bureaucracy. Plans require approval by the French minister of culture, and work must be done by designated specialists. In all of France, there are just 31 architects accredited to run these projects. What's more, the places tend to be woefully outdated and incredibly isolated.

"It's true, you can buy a château in France for nothing," says Adrian Leeds, an American real estate agent who's been in France for 30 years. "There's a reason for that: because nobody wants them!"

That is, the French don't want them. Americans very much do. "There was a razzia" — a plundering raid — "right after the pandemic," says Gonzague Le Nail, a French real-estate agent who specializes in châteaus. Most of the interest used to come from foreign buyers in the market for a second home, but now, Le Nail says, it's from families looking to relocate to the French countryside and use the château as their primary residence. Half the châteaus around Paris are foreign-owned, and inquiries from Americans are up across France.

The day they signed the deed of sale, Goff and Engel invited over all 74 residents of the town of Avensac and served them Champagne, impressing their new neighbors with the decidedly un-aristocratic sensibility they brought to their aristocratic new digs. A few months later, they hosted a "spooky Halloween" party. "They're very open, very nice, and very low-key," says Mayor Michel Tarrible, who's been a recipient of the couple's homemade cookies.

This was not Goff and Engel's first time taking on an extreme fixer-upper. In 2009, they bought a place in Sonoma County, north of San Francisco, that took a decade to renovate. They did much of the work themselves, much of it at night and on weekends. Goff documented the process on his blog. (Goff is a graphic designer, while Engel works in tech.) They ultimately sold the house for twice what they had put in.

Around 2020, Goff happened upon a #chateaulife vlog on YouTube, where a family was documenting the highs and lows of buying and renovating a château. He couldn't believe how cheap the properties were going for, and he pitched Engel on the idea of moving abroad.

"In California you can flip houses and make a lot of money," Goff says. "I knew going into this that it's not going to be like that. You do it because you want to live this kind of rustic, ruined lifestyle in the south of France."

Another chatelain, Abigail Carter, describes a similar trajectory: She had some experience transforming old, dilapidated homes when, as she puts it, she became "obsessed" with buying a château in France.

Originally from Canada, Carter and her husband lived in a succession of fixer-uppers in London, Massachusetts, and New Jersey as they moved around for work and grew their family. After her husband died in the September 11, 2001, attacks — he was visiting a trade show at the World Trade Center that day — Carter relocated to Seattle with their two kids. By 2021 she was living in a converted firehouse she'd renovated and wondering what was next for her.

She found her answer bingeing #chateaulife vlogs on YouTube. "For less than half of what you would pay here for a house, you can get an entire château," she recalls thinking. "I decided not buying a château in France was going to be more detrimental to my health than buying one."

Carter made two visits to France before finding a property she felt she could handle on her own. Château de Borie, a 12-bedroom château near Agen, had been vacant for four years. "It was almost like 'The Grinch Who Stole Christmas' with all the wires hanging," Carter recalls. But the place had good bones. Carter closed on the place in 2022, paying $610,000 and budgeting another $200,000 for furnishings and renovations.

Panic kicked in almost immediately. "My God," she remembers thinking. "What am I doing? Why am I doing this?"

Last year, an enormous cliff above Carter's property split open and rained rubble down on her property. It will likely take tens of thousands of euros to remove the debris and secure what remains of the cliff. "The cliff has been there for 300 years and it's been fine," she says. "Of course, I've owned it for a year and a half and this thing comes down on me."

But the experience has also been thrilling. "I'm bringing this house up in terms of its elegance again," she says. "French style doesn't change. It's very understated and very elegant."

Recently, a young family from Paris inherited a nearby château and began coming down for weekends. Carter says it's slowly dawning on them what it will cost to maintain it.

"They love it, but it's crumbling — literally crumbling," Carter says.

For many French sellers, what strikes Americans as romantic has come to feel like a curse. Château de l'Espinay, a 15-room manor in Brittany, has been in the family of Williams Henrys d'Aubigny for 250 years. His father, on his deathbed, made him promise never to sell. But at 79, he's overwhelmed by the time and money the property requires. He has no children of his own, and none of his younger relatives have any interest in moving to northwestern France to take over the place.

Henrys d'Aubigny, like many French owners who feel weighed down by history, is desperate to sell. But he's also prone to overvaluing what that history is worth. It's been five years since he listed the château for $2.7 million, and he still doesn't have a buyer. He estimates it needs $100,000 worth of renovations, though his real-estate agent says it's more like $1 million. There's mold, and only one functioning bathroom. The place is so expensive to heat that Henrys d'Aubigny sleeps in a guest cottage during the winter.

"He's very, very attached to his château," his agent says. "It's all he talks about. He thinks you can't put a price on culture."

For years, Henrys d'Aubigny has been holding out for a buyer who will love the place as much as he does. But then a couple from Ohio bought a château up the road; he came to admire their commitment and tasteful renovation. He now says his preferred buyer is "an American who's got a lot of money."

Most of the Americans who take on a château aren't looking for a European life of leisure. Their goal is to start a business. Carter, who just hosted her first retreat at Château de Borie, eventually hopes to generate $60,000 a year by marketing the romance of rural France to Americans and Canadians. She plans to host creative retreats for painters and writers, and "healing" retreats for widows. On her website, she sells château-themed T-shirts and art prints, and she has amassed 48,000 subscribers on her Chateau Chronicles channel on YouTube. In a recent video, she toured the grounds of her château and wondered aloud how this was all "somehow mine."

At Château Avensac, things have turned out to be even more difficult than Goff and Engel bargained for. Two years ago, Goff woke up from spinal surgery paralyzed from the chest down. The condition is temporary, but regaining the use of his legs has been a slow and difficult process, requiring five or six days a week of physical therapy. A wheelchair isn't the best way to move around a 48-room château, but Goff is making do.

Goff and Engel say they're on track to soft-launch their events business in 2025. They've also started selling château swag on their website, and they've set up a Patreon account so their fans can support the work they're doing to reclaim a part of France's history and culture.

"I live in a château," Engel reminds himself when he's feeling overwhelmed. "Yes, it's a crumbling château. But it's still a château. And there's something very romantic about that."

• Victoria Goyet, now 76, saw a post about an adult women's camp in France on Instagram.
• She thought it looked like fun and decided to go in the fall of 2023.
• While she was there, she had a life-changing realization.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Victoria Goyet. It has been edited for length and clarity.

In August 2024, at 75, I attended a six-day summer camp for women in South West France. Although I was hesitant about going the week before I left, the experience was life-changing.

Travel was a key aspect of my life long before I attended Camp Chateau. I'm originally from Witchita, Kansas, and went abroad for the first time after college on a trip to England, but my first love is Italy. I did some postgraduate work there and loved the art. I also loved spending time in France and enjoyed the art and food.

After college, when I was in my 20s, I worked at a retail travel agency. Early in my career, I discovered the women who took trips with me either had husbands who didn't want to travel or were divorced, widowed, or single. I thought it would be a good idea to create something that allowed women to feel safe traveling in small groups to interesting places. About nine years into working in the industry, I started my own travel company, Endless Beginnings.

Over time, clients would ask to bring their husbands, so the trips stopped being restricted to women. Given my age, I mostly organize trips for others based on my specialties: arts, food, wine, private gardens, and villas.

I ran across Camp Chateau on Instagram and was interested

In the fall of 2023, I came across a women's camp in France called Camp Chateau that looked interesting, and decided to go.

There were 50 women attending, ranging in age from their 20s to my age. I was in a room with three other women in their 40s, around my daughter's age. We were told not to overpack because the Chateau has a lot of steps and a circular staircase, and we would have to carry our luggage up. I remember thinking, "Oh boy, I don't do steps that well."

I asked if I could have something on a lower floor and got the ground-floor room. I had a single bed, and the room itself wasn't huge, but the bathroom was incredible. It was enormous with a tub, separate shower, and beautiful tile. My roommates and I laughed and said we could have thrown a huge party in our bathroom.

Each day, we could participate in a wide variety of activities

The first night focused on setting ground rules within your shared room or bunk area. We all went back to our room and laughed because we realized we didn't really need any rules. Everyone was very polite. The only guideline we set was that if the bathroom door was shut, that meant don't go in. Other than that, we could come and go as we pleased.

During the day, there were many activities to choose from. There was kayaking, horseback riding, hiking, cooking, French, art, and wellness activities like massages and early morning yoga classes.

One of my favorite events was an activity called "Spill the Tea." We wrote down something we were grappling with. Our paper was put into a box by a camp staff member who would pull it out and open the floor up for discussion. Someone was worried about leaving her support system for a job offer that would require relocation. I shared that I had to relocate so my terminally ill husband could be close to family. I told her, "You survive, you make new friends, and life goes on." I loved how deep the event dug and how willing everyone was to share.

I had a life-changing realization while journaling

On the last day of camp, I attended a meditative journaling class. We met in the woods and sat at a table under the trees. I felt funny because everyone brought their journals, and I just came with a piece of paper and a pen. I had never journaled and didn't even know where to start. The woman leading the activity suggested topics, such as what you were grateful for or how you felt in the moment.

I kept thinking, "Sometimes life gets in the way," so I started with that idea. I wrote that when you've lived as long as I have, you realize you start life with a plan to do certain things. But as life progresses, you put various things aside, perhaps for the sake of starting a family or getting married. Then, one day, you realize you put your own plans aside to do things for others.

When I returned and told a friend about my experience, I said attending camp made me stop, re-center, and think about my life and what I want to do. I don't know how many years I have left, but I'm closer to the end than the beginning. Camp made it clear to me that it's important I start making time for things I want to do. I'm trying to restructure my work schedule, so I'm not always working so hard. I want to free up time to do more things that are important to me, whether that's picking up a paintbrush or writing again.

• I get monthly professional manicures and have tried everything from Russian to Japanese techniques.
• On a recent trip to Paris, I decided to spring for a $160 French manicure.
• Although the technique wasn't as unique as other manicures I've tried, I was happy with the results.

In preparation for my first trip to Paris, I did the usual itinerary prep — museums, restaurants, and boutiques. However, I also realized this would be the perfect opportunity to experience a French manicure, both in the sense of style and technique.

Unlike the Japanese gel and Russian manicures I've tried recently, French manicures (a solid-colored base with a crescent tip in a different color) aren't necessarily French. They're a US invention coined in the 1970s inspired by French fashion and beauty aesthetics.

Nevertheless, as a nail buff who gets monthly manicures, I'm always curious to see what they're like in other countries. I also personally think it's fun to say I got a French mani in France.

From finding a salon in a foreign country to the actual manicure process, here's what it was like.

I chose Nail Club Paris based on online research.

After scouring online sources, from Instagram to Vogue articles, I came across Nail Club Paris, a New York-inspired salon that offers services including Gel-X and nail art.

Of all the ones I clicked through, I thought this salon's website was the easiest to navigate, and I particularly liked the aesthetic based on the photos.

I made my appointment online two weeks ahead of time. With the help of Google Translate (my grade-school French is quite rusty), I booked a spot for gel extensions and gel polish with a tortoiseshell French-manicure design.

Unfortunately, I broke two cardinal nail rules.

Before getting into the review, I must admit to committing multiple nail offensives before and during this appointment.

I can blame my cold, the stress of traveling, or the confusion of acclimating to a new area, but I definitely should've known better.

My first sin was being about 15 minutes late. Usually, salons offer a grace period for tardiness, but I wasn't sure what timeframe applied to this salon.

I arrived with "Je suis désolé" ("I'm sorry") bubbling up my throat and explained, in English, how the traffic delayed me. Maëlle, my nail tech and the only employee in the salon when I arrived, reassured me and guided me to my seat.

The second sin was not booking a nail removal with my appointment. At the time, I was wearing professional press-on nails and assumed they would pop or fall off easily like the store-bought ones I'm used to.

Not booking the appropriate services can throw off a nail tech's entire schedule and create delays for future appointments.

Maëlle gave my press-ons a small tug and immediately reached for her nail drill. Though she was impressed by how sturdy they were, she was worried about how long the removal process would take because she had another appointment after mine.

Even with the language barrier, the anxiety was evident. I felt guilty for putting her in this position.

My mistakes aside, the salon had a comforting aesthetic.

Maëlle's English was far better than my French, so we intermittently spoke about the politics in our respective countries and our admiration for nail art.

She proudly talked about the salon's New York loft theme, and I agreed that I saw the vision. The exposed brick and funky color palette felt like a subtle love letter to my home state.

As we settled in, Maëlle put on a Kali Uchis playlist and fell into a deep focus as she sang along to the Colombian artist's lyrics. Her hypnotic trance signaled to me that she was about to lock in, and I was prepared to witness absolute magic.

We did Aprés Nail extensions, which aren't new to me.

The manicure technique felt no different than the ones I've gotten in the US. After filing and soaking off my press-on nails, Maëlle prepped my nails and cuticles.

We settled on Aprés gel as a base, a softer extension that covers the entire nail bed. Compared to acrylics, it's supposed to cause less damage to the natural nail as it grows out.

The durable gel should last anywhere from three to six weeks, depending on your nail care. I'm used to getting Aprés in the US, and the process didn't differ just because I was overseas.

After nail prep, Maëlle found the best-fitting extensions for each finger and applied an adhesive before curing them onto my natural nails. She then shaped them into pointed almonds and tested out the best base color to match my nail tone.

I was beyond impressed with my nail tech’s efficiency.

Though the manicure process wasn't unique, I was so impressed with Maëlle's prowess.

She told me she had eight years of experience under her belt — and her expertise was evident in her light touch and speed. Though my tardiness and nail removal set us back, Maëlle's ability to breeze through the manicure was borderline mind-blowing.

Instead of applying extensions and art one nail at a time and switching between hands, Maëlle did the process one hand at a time. This meant she didn't cure the gel polish until she was done with the entire hand, which can be risky as she could accidentally smudge a previous nail along the way.

Much to my surprise, no nails were smudged, nicked, or impacted by the technique.

I opted for tortoiseshell crescents on every nail. The design had to be done in layers, starting with a base of very light brown and eventually creating a pattern with darker shades of brown and black on top.

Maëlle meticulously followed the reference picture I showed her — right down to the charms that she miraculously had in stock.

I'm convinced that nail art is a universal language.

Most of the manicure was filled with Maëlle quietly singing — and me silently holding my breath, hoping I wouldn't delay the next appointment.

However, the conversations we were able to have were fun and lighthearted. We bonded over our love for certain manicure techniques and preferences for almond and stiletto shapes. Even with a limited shared language, our passion for nails bridged the gap.

At the end, I paid 150 euros, about $162. My original appointment was listed as 125 euros, but the nail removal cost an additional 25 euros.

I also left a cash tip of 30 euros because of how incredible and accommodating Maëlle was.

This appointment was in the same time and price range that I'm used to in the US, so I was interested to see how the manicure would hold up. My usual sets sometimes lift by the third week.

After four weeks, I was still receiving compliments.

In the days following my manicure, I noticed a few air bubbles under the extensions, which can be caused by a number of things. Since the bubbles were toward the center of the nail and not the sides, they were sealed in and didn't affect the set's longevity.

Over the next few weeks, I was definitely more rough than I usually am with my manicures. After Paris, I was on a quick trip to Maine, where I hiked and climbed rocky terrain at Acadia National Park.

The fact that no nails broke or even loosened was incredible, and I could only hope they'd fair just as well for the rest of the month.

After four weeks, I was still receiving compliments about how fresh the design looked.

Because of the simple and elegant French tip, I could barely see my natural nails growing under the nude base. Despite the initial bubbles, I also didn't experience any chipping or lifting.

It was beyond evident that this manicure could last both physically and aesthetically, and that's always worth the money for me.

• My beauty routine has changed significantly since moving from Boston to Paris about six years ago.
• French women tend to wear less makeup, so I no longer use foundation or eye shadow every day.
• I've learned to embrace my natural brows and less elaborate hairstyles.

As an American who's lived in France for about six years, I've made some dramatic changes to my beauty regimen.

Though I regularly wore several makeup products back in Boston, I've since narrowed my routine down to four things: a tinted serum, a blush stick, clear brow gel, and mascara.

Here are nine ways I changed my beauty routine throughout my years in Paris.

I no longer wear full-coverage foundation

I've never been the type to wear a full face of makeup, but a mid-coverage option like a BB cream was always a staple in my makeup routine in the US.

Since moving to Paris, I've worn a tinted base (sometimes mixed with moisturizer) on my face five times a month at the most.

One of the first things I noticed in Paris was how little makeup most French women wear.

In Boston, you'd be hard-pressed to find a woman with a bare face at a bar on a Friday night. But in Paris, it's the norm.

In France, I felt I had permission to go natural for the first time. It might sound silly, but seeing so many women embrace their natural beauty motivated me to join the bare-faced party.

I've learned to embrace natural brows

Filling my thin, blonde eyebrows with a pencil was part of my makeup routine in the US.

Because my hair is so light and fine, I felt it necessary to draw on my eyebrows to fit in with the thick, defined-brow trend that's popular in the US.

Since moving to Paris, I simply use a clear Benefit gel to create a laminated look that stays in place.

I no longer use as much product on my lips

I always thought French girls wore red lipstick, but one of the first things I noticed when I moved to Paris was the lack of bright lips.

Though some women will rock a red lip, it's much less common than I expected.

I always wore lipstick or a stain on a night out in the US, but since moving to Paris, I either go bare-lipped or wear a lip oil.

I don't go for super noticeable highlighters anymore

In the US, it wasn't uncommon to see people wearing a shimmery, glowy highlight on a night out.

But now, I can't remember the last time I used a highlighter.

In France, I typically opt for a shimmery face oil, like the one from NUXE Paris, or a multipurpose balm for a subtle but natural glow.

These oils and lotions double as skincare while providing a nice shine.

Mascara is the only product I use on my eyes

Most women I meet in Paris don't wear eyeshadow or eyeliner. Instead, they typically only wear mascara on their top lashes.

Back in Boston, I would attempt heavier eye looks because I was surrounded by women with gorgeous smoky eyes.

Now, I stick to just mascara. Getting ready is much faster, and I have less makeup to remove at the end of the night.

Plus, I can finally stop pretending I know how to do eyeliner.

I prioritize skincare over makeup

Since being bare-faced is the vibe in Pairs, French women seem to prioritize skincare over makeup, and I've followed suit.

My skincare now includes a multistep morning routine and a separate nighttime regimen.

When I lived in the US, my skincare routine included an under-eye caffeine roller, a serum from whatever random brand I found at T.J. Maxx that week, moisturizer, and the occasional sheet mask.

Now, I invest in lots of products from brands I love (my favorites are Typology and La Roche-Posay), and getting ready is focused more on skincare and less on makeup.

I believe my skincare routine has completely improved my complexion, as my face seems plumper, more radiant, and brighter.

I get more high-maintenance treatments than I did before

I'm not sure if it's a direct result of moving to France or a byproduct of aging, but I started doing preventive treatments throughout the last five years.

I get Botox on my forehead twice a year, lip filler every two years or so, Hydrafacials (microdermabrasion-like treatments) every few months, and my eyebrows laminated regularly.

I've found that the French woman's approach to preventive medicine is subtle and discreet and enhances the features you already have.

The work I've had done is very minimal, to the point where most people in my life don't notice a difference.

I hardly ever wear a set of false lashes

Wearing a set of false lashes in the US seems like the most normal thing in the world, as some people wear a set each time they go out.

I'd throw on a set of lashes if I felt spicy on a Friday night and always had a few pairs stocked at home.

Since moving to Paris, I've worn false lashes a total of five times. Natural looks reign king over here, so false lashes aren't common.

I rarely style my hair

Though I've always loved self-care, I'm a big fan of how much time I save doing my hair in France.

In the US, I spent hours curling, straightening, and styling my hair. Here in France, however, a more natural, messy hair look is the go-to.

Now, doing my hair takes about one-quarter of the time it used to.

I either air-dry my hair or put waves in it with the Shark FlexStyle curling-wand attachment and brush my fingers through it.

I've embraced messy hair, and I love it.

This story was originally published on January 8, 2024, and most recently updated on November 19, 2024.