In Paris, it's la rentrée time

Farewell summer, we are back to the rhythms of normal life.

Hi, I’m Cheyanne and welcome to A Traveled Table! I’m sharing my journey living abroad while navigating out of burnout. After quitting my job in tech, I moved to Porto, and now Paris, with my husband and two children. I’m excited you’re here!

A glimpse of Sacre Coeur

In France, la rentrée marks the end of summer with suntanned Parisians returning to the city in droves. La rentrée directly translated means re-entry, but casually its known as the time to go back to school/work after leaving the city for August vacations. This is the time I've most anticipated since moving to Paris, not only because my oldest son will head off to school. But, mostly it's because it's the time when the city comes alive again. Bonne vacances notices are torn down from shop and restaurant windows.

This wine shop is closed July 28-August 26!

We moved to Paris during a bewildering time - July 24th. Two days before the Olympics Opening Ceremony and the height of summer vacation for the French. In a normal year, Paris in August is best described as sleepy and empty. Throw in the Olympics with majority of locals running from the anticipated chaos as fast as possible, you’re left with a ghost town. Venturing out for my birthday on a Sunday, in the middle of August, was met with closed boulangeries, restaurants, markets, and shops. A quiet, lazy way to explore the city, but not exactly exciting. On one hand it's been a truly unique introduction to Paris - unbelievably quiet and spacious, but also empty.

Empty roundabout at Arc du Triomphe

So you might understand why I'm thrilled to experience typical Paris in the fall. Even a serene month didn't stop me from exploring the city. As I look back, these are a few of my favorite moments:

Y'all my date nights are in Montmartre! Casual date nights in sleepy neighborhood wine bars, pinch me.

Devouring peaches, the quintessential market summer fruit, pridefully branded by the farmers who grew them

Solo stroll and lunch along the Seine - all the more peaceful without a troop of toddlers

Befriending the neighborhood fromagère (cheese monger) and getting the scoop on unexpected cheese/wine pairings

Even kids have their own huge cheese selections in play kitchens… only in France.

Feeling like a local watching the Olympics Opening Ceremony at a neighborhood viewing party with dear friends from Seattle.

Flat, wide sidewalks that feel so luxurious after Porto's cobblestone hills

Pain au chocolat — pure bliss (not pictured, they never last long enough). If you've never understood the hype and you've only ever had a "chocolate croissant" in the States AKA a greasy butter bomb with a stick of chocolate in the center … trust me when I say, it is not the same!

Perhaps I'm not only excited about the city coming alive, but also defining what's next. To grasp onto the possibilities, adventures, and exploration of yet another international move and closing our family's sabbatical chapter. I don't want to wait anymore to see what's next.

Thankfully, it's time to start writing my next chapter.

Anyone else looking forward to the start of sweater weather and the start of something new? Or are you savoring the last moments of summer?

P.S. If this post has you dreaming of France, check out

Rebekah Peppler

’s newest cookbook Le Sud: Recipes from Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. I’m obsessed with Rebekah’s recipes, photographs, and story-telling. (Amazon affiliate link)