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Our move to Tahiti (French Polynesia): first impressions
When I settle somewhere new, I write a “first impressions” post, and usually there are no “second impressions”—we just skip straight to the “wrap-up.” I hope this time it’s different and I’ll actually have things to share about Tahiti. We’ve only been in Tahiti for 10 days, but it feels like a month. We have an Airbnb in downtown Papeete. For some context, French Polynesia is made up of 118 islands (76 of them inhabited) spread over an area the size of Europe. The largest island, and home to the international airport, is Tahiti Nui. Tahiti Nui connects to the peninsula of Tahiti Iti. Papeete is the capital of Tahiti—it’s…
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My Current Favorites – [April 2026]: Books, Curator, Lord of the Rings
April marks our move to Tahiti (French Polynesia), so I’ve been more into boxes than books, but I still managed to carve out some time to recharge. Books Calligraphy: The Complete Guide by Julien Chazal After borrowing several calligraphy books from the library, I came to the conclusion that this one was the best for beginners. It has few fonts, but the info is super comprehensive for learning. There’s a lot of information on the different types of pens, papers, and historical contexts of each font. I brought very few hobbies with me to Tahiti, but calligraphy is one of them because it doesn’t require much space or weight, and…
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My Review of the Film ‘Materialists’ by Celine Song
I rewatched this film on a plane and enjoyed it much more than the first time. It starts as a classic romantic comedy, then goes in a completely unexpected direction and it’s total chaos. I’d say the film works really well for about an hour and 20 minutes, and after that it’s a complete mess. I’m going to critique it for those who’ve seen it, because I can’t skip the spoilers. What I really loved was the film’s aesthetic: the framing, the atmospheres, the colors. And the characters’ wardrobe is top-notch, especially Lucy’s. The film is a critique of dating apps and how we look for a partner with criteria…
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[Reflection] #35: Financial Independence & the Law of Attraction
Before leaving for Tahiti, I had lunch with two friends who are working toward financial independence (FIRE), and we talked at length about the FIRE strategies of those we know, near or far, and their own. Real estate, the French’s favorite strategy Most bet on real estate to generate passive income. The classic pattern: buy old apartments that need major renovations, not too far from universities, renovate them while controlling costs, then rent them out as shared accommodation to target a yield of at least 4%. Others prefer tourist areas; a not-too-expensive apartment 30 minutes from the sights, and voila, onto Airbnb. The French love of real estate comes down…
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How to replace a shower door seal?
If there’s one thing I regret, it’s taking months to replace a shower door seal. I thought I’d need to call a plumber, but it’s much easier than I expected—I managed to do it myself. For this, you’ll need: Then, follow the steps in this video: All in all, it took me 10 minutes. I should’ve done it sooner. You don’t need any glue—if you’ve measured the thickness of your glass correctly, the seal will just snap onto the glass like magic.
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Club Tidy referral: €50 off house cleaning with code DEUEVU367
When we got the keys to our apartment, the urge to clean it from top to bottom took over, and I quickly realized I’d need a professional hand. On several people’s advice, I tried Club Tidy. Result: signed up in minutes, and a cleaning lady confirmed for the next day. Pretty efficient! Club Tidy referral code: DEUEVU367Enter it when you make your request and get €50 off for any subscription to a regular cleaning contract. How does it work? You submit a request specifying your needs, a date, and a time slot (I recommend starting with a one-off job to test the cleaner). Several profiles then appear, with hourly rates,…
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Paris to Tahiti Flight: What to Expect During the Los Angeles Layover
There are no direct flights between Paris and Papeete, so you’ll inevitably have a layover in the US, either in Los Angeles or San Francisco. This stopover serves several purposes: I’ve received conflicting information about this layover. The Air France agent who handled our check-in in Paris even insisted that we’d have to stay on the plane during the stop! So here’s my firsthand experience. First crucial point: even though it’s just a ~2-hour stopover, you’ll technically be entering US territory, so you absolutely must obtain a visa before you leave. For the French, the process is made easier thanks to ESTA (a sort of electronic visa) and is done…
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From Paris to Papeete: a 27-hour door-to-door journey
I’m detailing this trip because it might be of interest to those making the same journey for a move, and also to preserve the memories of this epic trip. FYI, JB has been transferred to Tahiti, and we’ll be staying there for 9 months. Our move to Papeete took several days because JB insists on being in Paris two days before departure to handle any unexpected issues. Since everything is expensive on this island at the end of the world and product choices are limited, we decided to bring as much as possible from France. So, we decided to bring JB’s computer monitor, our Cookeo, and our rice cooker, even…
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Our Settled Life in Lille: A Review (2025–2026)
We moved to Lille in January 2025, and it’s already time to leave (April 2026) because JB was just seconded by his employer… to French Polynesia. Time for a quick review of our life in Lille. JB chose to come to Lille for his career change into cybersecurity, and he picked his current employer knowing there would be opportunities for international mobility. We always hoped and thought our time in Lille would be temporary, but we weren’t sure if mobility would be possible since JB is still a junior in cyber. As I’ve explained before, we managed to rent a fantastic apartment fully furnished and decorated by meticulous, well-traveled owners.…
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Trips to Paris [2026]
I’ve made several very quick trips to Paris over the past two months (sometimes same-day round trips from Lille) and took the opportunity to visit some museums, exhibitions, and see suppliers. Let’s start with the Boulevard de Bonne nouvelle area. I went there to pick up some tailoring sewing supplies from Lafayette Saltiel. And I took the chance to visit Maison Sézane for the first time. It’s a brand I really don’t like, because their fans follow blindly like sheep. I found the place gorgeous, with beautiful ceiling height, plenty of space to move around, look, take photos. I don’t know if the purchase is satisfying, as there seems to…
