My name is Jacqueline Mirtelli, I am Head of PR at ATOUT FRANCE UK, and the editor of this blog.

I have been in London for 7 years now and I love this city. For me, it is a sort of mix of the main European capitals and NYC. I also love the countryside and one of my favourite places is Bantham in Devon.

The only thing I miss here is the light and the flavours of the city where I was lucky enough to be born and spend most of my life, NICE, on the French Riviera.

I have been travelling a lot around the world, but I can tell you this region brings you all you can wish for: the mountains, the seaside, the soft hills, the glamour of Cannes, Nice, Monaco, the delicious charm of the small hilltop villages and last but not least an exceptional quality of life…if you know where to escape the crowds!

Why did I create this blog? Why this name?

The idea came to me long before I joined Atout France as I have always thought there was so much more to say about my country than the usual clichés: the real France, the France far away from the main streams, the France of the “je ne sais quoi” that only locals know through the colours, flavours and savours of each region.

Through this blog, I would like to share with you the passion I have for my country. My team around me is also as passionate as I, and we aim to build a real network with you all.

Today the blog is taking a step forward. Get on board and send us your articles, your feelings about your own experiences and discoveries.

Let me now introduce my team…and surprise, surprise, they are not all French!

First is Hannah, the Senior Press Officer. Such a kind and pretty young woman, born in Nottingham, Durham graduate, who has lived for some years in Toulouse (she has even got the accent!). She definitely deserves our recognition for correcting all our articles!

One of the other authors who writes articles, is Tiffany, Press Officer. She is half American and half French, Austin University graduate. Always on the run, she brings so much charm, elegance and fun to those around her with her nice little “minois” and her long hair!

There are also the trainees you will see on the photo below, in and out like Pierre Louis, Cynthia, Ayrton…