Carol Gillott Left New York at 72 to Live Full-Time in Paris

Carol Gillott moved to Paris in 2012 at the age of 72.

For 70 years, she had maintained a connection to the city since her first visit as a 16-year-old tourist from Philadelphia. She spent the intervening decades working in New York as an illustrator and in the fashion industry. She visited France several times a year. In 2006, she started a blog called Paris Breakfasts to share watercolors of French pastries. The site gained a following. She began selling her artwork on Etsy. These online successes led her to leave her New York apartment and relocate permanently to France.

Gillott currently lives on the Île Saint-Louis in a small apartment known as a chambre de bonne. The space overlooks the Seine River. From her window, she can see the Bastille and the rooftops of the city. She describes the neighborhood as having a village-like feel. She supports her lifestyle through her blog and the sale of her illustrations. She also collects Social Security benefits. She does not own a car or have a mortgage. She travels by foot, metro, and bus.

Her career in the United States included work for major brands. She illustrated advertisements for Advil and Prozac. Her artwork appeared on the covers of Time and Newsweek. She worked for the fashion designer Anne Klein on Seventh Avenue in New York. She also served as a photographer for the James Beard Foundation. That role introduced her to French chefs, including Alain Ducasse and Paul Bocuse. She later drew labels for G.H. Mumm champagne bottles. She attended Gloria Steinem’s 60th birthday party in New York.

Life in New York was not without difficulty. In the 1980s, she was shot by a mugger near her East Village apartment. She survived the incident. She said the city became ruder and pushier over time. She decided to stay in Paris after a trial visit in 2012. She has no plans to return to the United States. She misses her sister in Philadelphia and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She finds the cost of living in Paris lower than in New York. She stocks up on fresh food at outdoor markets when prices drop at the end of the day. Senior discounts reduce her costs at the pool and other venues.

Gillott holds a French residence permit called a Carte de sejour. Because she is over 65, she does not need to prove language proficiency for the visa. She did have to pass a civic exam. She tested on French history and architecture to rent her apartment. She asked about the architect of her building. She says the French love history. She has adopted the French perspective on food and seasonality. She attends monthly events celebrating specific ingredients. These events include festivals for cherries, tomatoes, and hot chocolate. She attends trade shows and tastings for the chocolate and caviar industries. She does not drink much alcohol but enjoys local cheese varieties.

Her blog covers a wide range of topics. She writes about classic French author Colette and beach umbrellas in Normandy. She paints watercolors of Monet’s work. Her readers comment on her ability to connect Parisian culture. One reader from Denver called a post about Le Havre absolutely perfect. She creates illustrated maps of Paris for tourists. The maps show places associated with Napoleon and the best locations for macarons and ice cream. She sells these items and a letter subscription service to customers worldwide. A poster of her artwork was displayed in the Paris Metro for two weeks. Tens of thousands of commuters walked past it. She describes her life as rich, though she does not have a lot of money. She finds the city beautiful even when it is raining.