I liked Andi Fisher before I even read her blog. My childhood babysitter was named Andi and one of my closest friends from grad school sports the same. Andi is the Senior Manager for Social Media at Dolby Laboratories and the master blogger on Misadventures with Andi where she posts almost daily about France, travel, blogging, life and getting older. In October, she stopped in Paris with her French husband and organized a meet-up with a few of us Paris bloggers. It was a pleasure to meet her and see how faithful she is to her online persona – just as down-to-earth and charming as I had imagined. She has traveled extensively through Europe and Asia but waxes nostalgic for the French lifestyle.

Describe what you love most about France in 3 words.

Food, passion and style.
Aside from Paris, what other French city could you call home?


Interesting that you should ask, that is something I am currently trying to figure out. I love Amboise in Loire. I also like the region I lived in before l’Ain, it was only five hours from Paris and had access to the mountains for skiing, lakes for swimming and biking around and easy access to the Geneva airport where I could grab any number of hour-long flights to multiple destinations throughout Europe. But this past October I really fell in love with the Brittany coast, so I guess the answer would be, I don’t know yet!


What is the biggest similarity and difference between San Francisco and Paris?

You may not know this, but in the 1870’s there were more Frenchmen in San Francisco than any other city in the U.S. except New Orleans. This had an impact on the architecture, the food and the culture. There are tons of French restaurants and coffee houses to make you sometimes forget where you are. But a big difference, and one I miss quite a bit, is outdoor eating. There are very, very few places in the city to eat outside and that is a shame!


What is the one purchase you never leave France without making?


Just one huh? Well truth be told, if I could only bring one item back I would be stuck between the two items I can’t live without. They are somewhat mundane and boring but they sure do make my life a better place. They are Efferalgan, which works wonders on my migraines; and boules quies, which I couldn’t sleep without. After that, there is La Roche Posay lip balm. And then we get into food, must have food stocks from Le Comtesse du Barry, oops, I got excited, I guess I can’t make just one purchase!


Favorite French film and/or novel?
Wow, another toughie! I am a total movie nut and my husband and I watch French films all the time, so narrowing it down to one is really difficult! I love old Gabin and Ventura movies, I think one of my favorites is “Les TontonsFlingueurs.” I also love “Le Coeur des Hommes” and nearly everything that Luc Besson does. I could name more, but I will switch to books. I am a big fan of Marc Levy (but hate when they turn his books into movies!). I have read all his books and also check Fnac when I am Paris in case I have missed any. I also like Josiane Bolasko’s “Cliente.”
Living in San Fran while frequently getting to travel to Europe sounds like the best of both worlds to me!
Follow Andi’s travels and reviews over on Misadventures with Andi, follow her on twitter @Andi_Fisher and stay tuned for the next installment of Franco File Friday. Bon weekend!


{Photos: Andi Fisher}