About Me

Hi, I’m Jen!

Welcome to Dabbling in Jet Lag, my little corner of the internet dedicated to all things France.

I’m a full-time travel blogger, photographer, and proud dual French-American citizen. These days, you’ll find me based in Strasbourg, the beautiful capital of Alsace, where I spend my weeks wandering through villages, hopping on trains, and uncovering the parts of France that most guidebooks miss.

But my story didn’t start here. It started with a big dream and a one-way ticket out of Illinois.

Every month, I help thousands of travelers plan unforgettable trips to France, gain the confidence to explore beyond the tourist trail, and turn their travel dreams into real, doable plans. And I’d love to help you do the same.

Featured In

What You Can Expect Here

If you’ve ever wanted to explore France beyond the usual highlights, plan a smoother trip, or feel like you have a friend on the ground, you’re in the right place.

Here’s my promise to you:

• Honest advice, always. I’ll never recommend something I don’t genuinely believe is worth your time.
• First-hand experience. I visit every place I write about, so my guides come straight from my own travels.
• Tested tips you can trust, built from years of living in and exploring France.
• No sponsored content. I pay my own way, so my opinions stay unbiased and true.
• My own photos. I’m a blogger and a photographer, so what you see is exactly what I saw (and proof I’ve actually been there!).
• A site built for you. I’m always open to your questions, ideas, and feedback. If there’s something you’d love to see, ask.

How I Fell in Love with France

I grew up in Naperville, just outside Chicago, dreaming of faraway places. After finishing my PhD, a job opportunity took me to Switzerland in 2012, my first taste of life abroad, and the rest was history.

A year later, I made the move I’d been dreaming about: I moved to Paris in 2013, and my love for France truly began to take root.

My Life in France

Like most expats, those first months in France were a real adjustment — the language, the culture, the infamous bureaucracy.

But as the language clicked and the culture started to make sense, everything changed. Within six months, I was fluent in French, and that shift gave me a deeper understanding of France that still shapes every guide I write today.

That experience taught me that the world is more accessible than it seems, and it only deepened my love for exploring on the ground, at a slower pace, and with genuine curiosity.

After a few years, my time in Paris came to an end, and a stint in the UK followed, but France never really left my heart.

In the end, France won. I decided to move back in 2019, and it has been my home since.

How Dabbling in Jet Lag Became Your Guide to France

When my husband and I settled in Strasbourg, everything fell into place.

I started sharing practical travel guides, local insights, and all the incredible, lesser-known places I kept discovering — from the storybook villages of Alsace to the underrated cities scattered across France.

Before long, the blog became something much bigger than I expected, and I knew I wanted to do it full-time. So I taught myself web design, honed my travel writing, and sharpened my photography skills; all in service of building a site entirely dedicated to helping you discover France.

France is Home, and I’m Here to Help You Explore It

Today, I’m based in Strasbourg full-time, doing what I love most — writing in-depth guides, exploring new corners of France, and helping thousands of travelers plan trips they’ll never forget. I’m active on Facebook and in my Alsace Travel Tips group.

I also wrote A Local’s Guide to Strasbourg, a detailed guidebook packed with my personal recommendations for things to do, places to eat, and the best-kept local secrets in the city.

In 2024, my application for French citizenship was approved, making me a dual French-American citizen and cementing what I’ve known for a long time: France isn’t just where I live, it’s where I belong.

Whether you’re planning your first trip to France or already deep in the details of your next adventure, I’m here to help. Book an itinerary planning session if you’d love personalized help with your trip.