Irvina Lew on Forays in France: A Lifelong Love Affair with Paris, Travel, and Reinvention at Any Age
What if your greatest adventures were still ahead of you—even in your 80s?
For travel writer, author, and lifelong Francophile Irvina Lew, France has been more than a destination. It has been a source of inspiration, creativity, discovery, and personal reinvention for nearly seven decades.
In this episode of La Vie Creative, host Krystal Kenney sits down with Irvina Lew, author of Forays in France, to explore her extraordinary relationship with French culture, her memories of Paris in the 1950s, and why it’s never too late to keep learning, traveling, and embracing life.
From studying at the Sorbonne at 19 to returning to its classrooms in her 80s, Irvina’s story is a beautiful reminder that curiosity doesn’t have an expiration date.
Whether you dream of visiting Paris, love French culture, want to travel solo, or are searching for inspiration for your next chapter, this conversation is for you.
Falling in Love with Paris in 1958
Irvina Lew’s love affair with France began long before her first visit.
Inspired by a high school French teacher, she developed a fascination with French language and culture that would shape the rest of her life.
In 1958, at just 19 years old, she traveled to Paris to study at the Sorbonne.
She lived on Rue Gay-Lussac in the Latin Quarter, surrounded by students, independent shops, and the intellectual atmosphere of postwar Paris.
At the time, Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre were part of the city’s famous café culture, while the streets around Boulevard Saint-Michel remained filled with small neighborhood businesses.
During our conversation, Irvina recalls details of Paris that have largely disappeared, including the days when visitors paid a small fee to sit in the green chairs of the Jardin du Luxembourg.
Today, those same chairs are free, but the surrounding neighborhood has transformed into one of the city’s most expensive areas.
Her memories offer a fascinating glimpse into how Paris has changed over nearly 70 years—and what makes the city timeless.
Returning to the Sorbonne in Her 80s: Why It’s Never Too Late to Learn
One of the most inspiring moments in our conversation is Irvina’s decision to return to the Sorbonne decades after her first experience there.
In January 2025, at approximately 86 years old, she enrolled in a weeklong French literature course.
And she didn’t choose an easy option.
She studied 18th-century feminist poetry in French, surrounded by fellow students and professors, challenging herself intellectually while reconnecting with a place that had shaped her youth.
After class, she spent her afternoons enjoying museums, restaurants, and cultural experiences around Paris.
Her return to the Sorbonne demonstrates something powerful: learning doesn’t have to end when we leave school, retire, or reach a certain age.
Creativity and curiosity can remain lifelong companions.
For anyone thinking about learning French, returning to school, or pursuing a long-forgotten passion, Irvina’s experience is a wonderful source of encouragement.
Forays in France: A Book Born from Decades of French Adventures
When the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted Irvina’s travel plans in 2020, she found herself reflecting on the many extraordinary experiences she had collected throughout her life.
While cleaning out her office, she rediscovered her diary from 1958, along with old menus, photographs, and memories from decades of traveling through France.
Those discoveries inspired her to begin writing Forays in France.
The book brings together personal stories, travel adventures, French food, cultural discoveries, and practical insights accumulated over decades.
Readers travel with Irvina through:
- Paris, including the Latin Quarter, historic cafés, museums, and hidden neighborhoods.
- The French Riviera, from Cannes and Nice to Antibes, Menton, and Saint-Tropez.
- French wine regions, including Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Champagne.
- French culinary traditions, from neighborhood markets to celebrated restaurants.
- Solo travel experiences, offering inspiration and practical advice for women who want to explore the world independently.
Rather than being a traditional travel guide, Forays in France is a personal celebration of the places, people, meals, and unexpected moments that make travel meaningful.
The Hidden Gems of France: Champagne, the Riviera, and Beyond
After decades of exploring France as both a traveler and professional travel writer, Irvina has developed a deep appreciation for places beyond the most famous tourist attractions.
During our podcast conversation, she shares some of her favorite destinations.
Champagne: Reims, Épernay, and Aÿ
One of Irvina’s recommendations is the Champagne region, easily accessible from Paris by train.
While Reims and Épernay are famous for their Champagne houses, she particularly loves the smaller village of Aÿ.
She describes its beautiful countryside, intimate accommodations, and opportunities to discover Champagne producers in a more personal setting.
For travelers looking for a memorable day trip or weekend getaway from Paris, Champagne offers a wonderful combination of history, culture, and French gastronomy.
The French Riviera: Cannes, Nice, and Menton
Irvina also shares her enduring affection for the South of France.
From flying over the Mediterranean coastline into Nice to exploring the colorful streets of Menton, she describes the emotional connection she feels to the Riviera.
As her mobility has changed with age, she has adapted the way she travels, choosing destinations such as Cannes that are easier to explore on foot.
Her philosophy is simple: keep traveling, but find ways to make the experience work for the life you’re living today.
What Americans Can Learn from French Culture
Having spent nearly seven decades visiting France, Irvina has developed a unique perspective on the differences between American and French culture.
One of the biggest lessons she shares is the importance of everyday politeness.
In France, entering a shop, café, or restaurant begins with a simple greeting.
Saying bonjour, merci, and au revoir isn’t just a formality. It’s an essential part of showing respect.
Irvina explains that many Americans misunderstand this cultural expectation, sometimes approaching people with questions before acknowledging them.
Learning even a little French and embracing local customs can completely transform the travel experience.
But the conversation goes beyond language.
We also discuss the French appreciation for food, conversation, beauty, and everyday rituals.
For Irvina, French living isn’t necessarily about luxury. It’s about enjoying simple pleasures, whether that’s preparing homemade vinaigrette, sharing a cheese platter, or strolling through a beautiful neighborhood without a particular destination.
Aging in France vs. America: Feeling Visible at Every Age
One of the most thought-provoking parts of this episode explores how women experience aging differently across cultures.
Irvina shares that, as an older woman, she has often felt more respected and acknowledged in France than in the United States.
She describes feeling valued in everyday interactions, from restaurants and hotels to conversations with strangers.
Although she acknowledges that not every experience has been perfect, her overall relationship with France has remained overwhelmingly positive.
Our discussion raises an important question:
What would change if we stopped treating aging as a limitation and started viewing it as another opportunity for growth?
For Irvina, her 80s have included writing a book, studying French literature, continuing to travel, and discovering new experiences.
Her life challenges the idea that creativity, adventure, and personal reinvention belong only to the young.
Solo Travel for Women: Irvina Lew’s Advice
With decades of experience traveling independently, Irvina offers practical advice for women who want to explore France or other destinations on their own.
Her suggestions include:
- Start with a small group trip. Organized travel can provide confidence and companionship, especially for women who are nervous about traveling alone.
- Add a few days of independent exploration. Irvina recommends staying an extra two nights after a group trip to discover a destination at your own pace.
- Choose accommodations in well-located neighborhoods. Staying near established hotels and transportation can make exploring easier.
- Embrace the art of being a flâneur. Wander without a strict itinerary and allow yourself to discover the unexpected.
- Connect with local people. A visit to a salon, a neighborhood restaurant, or a small shop can lead to meaningful cultural exchanges.
Her approach to travel isn’t about checking attractions off a list.
It’s about experiencing a place through genuine human connection.
French Food, Simple Pleasures, and the Art of Living Well
Food has always been an important part of Irvina’s relationship with France.
As a travel writer, she has experienced exceptional restaurants and celebrated chefs, but she also finds joy in simple French cooking at home.
During our conversation, she shares her love for homemade vinaigrette with Burgundy mustard, French onion soup, salade niçoise, coq au vin, and charcuterie.
These dishes reflect a broader philosophy of French living: good food doesn’t always have to be complicated.
Sometimes, the most memorable experiences come from slowing down, preparing something delicious, and sharing it with people you love.
Reinvention at Any Age: The Most Important Lesson from Irvina Lew
At the heart of this episode is a message that extends far beyond travel.
You are never too old to begin again.
You can learn a new language at 80.
You can write your first travel memoir after decades of collecting stories.
You can return to a university you attended as a teenager.
You can continue exploring the world, even when the way you travel needs to change.
Irvina’s life is proof that creativity isn’t limited to a particular profession, age, or stage of life.
It is a way of approaching the world—with curiosity, courage, and a willingness to keep discovering.
And perhaps that is the greatest lesson France has taught her.
Listen to Irvina Lew on La Vie Creative
In this episode of La Vie Creative, Krystal Kenney and Irvina Lew explore a remarkable lifetime of French adventures and the creative possibilities that remain available at every age.
In this conversation, you’ll discover:
- What Paris was really like in 1958.
- How French culture and daily life have evolved.
- Why Irvina returned to the Sorbonne in her 80s.
- The inspiration behind her book Forays in France.
- Her favorite French destinations and hidden gems.
- What Americans can learn from French etiquette.
- Why solo travel can be transformative for women.
- How to stay curious, creative, and adventurous throughout life.
Whether you’re planning your next trip to France or looking for inspiration to pursue a new dream, Irvina’s story will remind you that there is always more to explore.
Where to Find Irvina Lew and Forays in France
Discover more about Irvina’s writing, travels, and experiences:
Irvina Lew’s official website: https://www.irvinalew.com
Forays in France: https://www.foraysinfrance.com
Her book is also available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
About La Vie Creative
La Vie Creative is a podcast hosted by American photographer and creative entrepreneur Krystal Kenney in Paris, France.
Through conversations with artists, authors, entrepreneurs, and creative thinkers, the podcast explores what it means to build a meaningful, inspired, and creative life.
From moving abroad and following unconventional career paths to motherhood, reinvention, and finding the courage to pursue your dreams, La Vie Creative celebrates the many ways creativity shapes our lives.
Discover more at https://www.missparisphoto.com.
If you enjoyed this conversation with Irvina Lew, share the episode with someone who dreams of France, loves travel, or needs a reminder that their next great adventure could be just beginning.
