Table of Contents:
HISTORY.
UNESCO.
TASTE FRANCE.
FRENCH ART.
FRENCH DESTINATIONS.
J’aime la France – I love France. But, I must admit something. I was one of those who, before visiting, was foolishly believing people who were bad-mouthing it.
After years of traveling, I believe the “Unhappy Traveler” is the one who complains the most about another place. Often, because its “different” than home. I am going to let that thought sink in for a moment.
In short, the most significant thing about traveling is DIFFERENT. Different places, different things, and other people. Different. Do you get the idea? Don’t be unhappy, celebrate.
France has so much to offer in all of those categories. Year after year, they score high in quality of living. I’m not ready to live there (year-round,) but I do enjoy the standard of living while I am there.
France is the second-largest European country. (Russia is bigger). They supply all their food and wine.
Not to mention, I believe there is something in the Mediterranean water. People in the countries that border this sea seem to enjoy life more.
So how do you summarize more than 5000 years of history in less than 5000 words?
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Learn the History of France.
Around the town, Around the Country.
I like to think of France in circles.
To demonstrate, you have Paris and its arrondissements (neighborhoods) that spiral out from the city center.
Similarly, think of the country as a spiral as well.
You begin with the Centre-Val de Loire right in the middle. Then, you have the Il-de-France (Paris) directly above it.
Then, as you continue the circle clockwise, you have Hauts-de-France. This region is a combination of Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Picardie.
Next is the Grand Est. Likewise, it consists of several areas, including Alsace, Champagne-Ardenne, and Lorraine.
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Also, you have the Bourgogne – Franche – Comte region finishing off the northeast.
In the southeast, you have Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes.
Also, the Provence Alpes-Cote d’Azur, the home of the French Riviera.
In the southwest, you have modern-day Occitanie. It is a combination of Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées.
Also in the southwest is Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Throughout history, we know Aquitaine takes on many shapes and sizes. Today, it encompasses Aquitaine, Limousin, and Poitou-Charentes.
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Equally important and worth visiting is the northwest corner.
We are beginning with Pays de la Loire. This area stretches from the western end of the Loire Valley to the Bay of Biscay.
Equally important is Brittany. For many years it’s own independent kingdom.
Finally, there is Normandy. This area along the English Channel is famous in old and new world history.
These 12 regions are only the mainland of France. They do not include the island of Corsica off the coast. Nor other areas in the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, or South America.
To lose yourself in each one for a month is a great idea. Surprisingly, it will still just scratch the surface.
From the Mountains to the Vineyards.
By all means, we must discuss the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
France is a country overflowing with history, culture, and natural beauty. As a result, it has a total of 43 sites now on the list. To see them would take the better part of a month. And you should see them.
Do you see the people eat?
And then there is the food: French cuisine, desserts, and bakery goods. Just the mention of these can add 5 pounds to your imagination. Think butter, cream, fresh herbs, and spices. Today we eat as tomorrow we may all diet. (You DO know what the first three letters of diet spell? Coincidence?)
Then we have the wines and spirits. Bordeaux, Cognac, Champagne, Burgundy, Alsace, it’s like a wine Hall of Fame. Maybe that is why France is the largest wine producer in the world. It is the birthplace of the Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Syrah grapes. Today, these grapes are growing worldwide.
And what about the spirits of France? Cognac, Calvados, Grand Mariner, and the list goes on and on.
Tying this all together is the people. I find even with my failure to wrap my little midwest tongue around their language; they appreciate me trying. And quickly follow it with “I speak a little English” to save me slaughtering another beautiful word. I have had business people stop in the Paris metro to offer directions. In bakeries, older women slip me an extra pastry. And even the ones younger than I try to help me.
The only place I see the “ugly French” that I hear about is at Charles de Gaulle airport. I have yet to make it through CDG without encountering one staff member having a miserable (Les Misérables?) day. Maybe it’s because people are not friendly to them? I always try to throw them a “Merci” and a smile. What you put out in the world comes back.
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A Picture is Worth A…
How could we discuss France and not talk about art? Specifically, Monet and his garden at Giverny. Vincent van Gogh and his street scenes in Arles. Paul Cézanne and his mountain near Aix-en-Provence. Also, there’s Renoir, Degas, Seurat, Toulouse-Lautrec, and, more recently, Picasso, Miro, Chagall, and Cocteau. France is an art lovers’ destination.
On the Breeze.
The word “bouquet” is from the French and for a good reason. The blooming lavender of Provence, the apple orchards of Normandy, the salty air of Brittany, can you smell it? Also, fresh macaroons hot out of the oven in St Emilion, or a perfumery in Grasse, the scents are everywhere.
One does not visit France. One goes through immersion.
Crepes, chansons, calvados, Charlemagne, Camembert, castles, Chardonnay, chateaus, it sounds exhausting. AND FABULOUS!! We want adventure in that great wide somewhere. I think we better start.
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Come, let’s experience the World of France.
CENTRAL.
Centre
Ile-de-France
NORTHWEST
NORTH
Picardie
Nord-Pas-de-Calais
NORTHEAST
Champagne-Ardenne
Lorraine
Alsace
EAST
Bourgogne
Franche-Comte
SOUTHEAST
Auvergne Rhone-Alpes.
SOUTH
Languedoc-Roussillon
Midi-Pyrenees
SOUTHWEST
Aquitaine
Limousin
Poitou-Charentes
WEST
Pays de la Loire
OTHER.
Corse