I first met Countess Marie de Tilly (pronounced “tee-yee”) in 2016 when I took my eleven-year-old granddaughter Mikkayla to France. I had registered us for Marie’s etiquette class, and we were both excited to learn about French “savoir vivre,” or “how to live,” and a little intimidated to meet a countess.
The class was taught in Marie’s lovely Paris apartment, and she made us feel welcome and at ease right away. While she taught us a lot about table manners and elegance, she also emphasized that one must interact with others properly, express kindness and courtesy, never be the center of attention, and really listen and learn about others’ cultures and experiences.
For French etiquette and elegance tips including cultural nuances, see the Marie de Tilly chapter of my book Ooh la la! French Inspirations for Entertaining and Travel, available here. If you would like to take Marie’s class or learn more about French savoir-vivre, visit her website.
