Bonjour,
I hope you and yours are properly.
First, thanks a lot for all of the birthday needs final week, I actually appreciated it. I spent the day scampering alongside the (dry) canal on the prime of the Roman Pont du Gard aqueduct. It was an unbelievable expertise I’ll inform you extra about quickly.
French folks typically ask me what it’s about France that I like probably the most. “After all I really like the markets, the gastronomy, the wine” I say, “and I actually love how French folks respect their heritage, help the humanities, maintain traditions expensive.”
I can assure you that just about all of them have a look at me astonished at this. “Actually?” they are saying. “You suppose that is how we’re?”
I’ve spent years observing French folks and the way life is lived right here. I’m fascinated by French historical past and tradition, from the humanities to nationwide traits. For example (and I’m being basic right here, clearly there are exceptions) French folks hate to be flawed about something and can insist “I by no means stated that” if they offer you duff data. They know that they had been flawed, will chuckle if you level out that truly there are witnesses to what they stated, however nonetheless maintain their stance, figuring out you understand that they know they had been flawed, however not backing down. Typically French folks additionally hate to confess they don’t know one thing. When you ask the best way to someplace, it’s uncommon to listen to “I don’t know” – as a substitute they are going to guess, and now and again, you could find yourself in a unique place that anticipated. Generally French folks appear to have a unique concept of time from the remainder of us. “5 minutes that method” they are saying. quarter-hour later you’ll arrive. “Come to dinner at 7pm” means you’re anticipated to reach at 7.30pm.
In terms of tradition, with out fail, I see French folks like to help the humanities whether or not or not it’s comics, picture exhibitions, museums, galleries, cinema, books – each type of artwork is revered. Youngsters are inspired to benefit from the arts from a really younger age, and nearly all museums are free to the age of 25 (for French or EU residents). Even within the deepest rural a part of France the place I dwell, although main cultural venues are scarce however by no means distant, there are golf equipment galore for portray, writing, studying to play a musical instrument and lots of extra subjects.
Heritage is revered, monuments are preserved – whether or not fairy story castles, Cathedrals, a village fountain, a tiny chapel or the location of a battle.
Folks help native producers and due to that, it’s typically as low cost or cheaper to go to a farm store or avenue market to purchase direct – “should you don’t use it, you lose it” say my French mates, and nobody desires to lose it. So, although it could be simpler to go to a grocery store at 7pm as a substitute of to a morning market on a set day – sufficient folks make an effort. Sufficient folks store at artisan boulangeries, although you should purchase a less expensive (industrially produced) baguette in a grocery store. In all places I journey in France I see this. Not all, however sufficient.
Not all the pieces in France is nice. It’s definitely not good. However on the subject of artwork, tradition, heritage – I feel the French get so much proper.
When you go to France, going to a market and an artisan boulangerie are as a lot part of the tradition because the Eiffel Tower – it’s all about feeding the soul, in addition to the abdomen!
Bisous,
Janine
Editor
PS High picture: The Pont du Gard – few folks know that it’s potential to stroll alongside the highest contained in the canal, and it’s superior! I’ll write extra about it however in case anybody desires to know easy methods to have this expertise – guide a guided tour on the ticket workplace, you’ll be able to’t go it alone.
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Janine Marsh is Writer of My Good Life in France: In Pursuit of the Rural Dream, My 4 Seasons in France: A 12 months of the Good Life and Toujours la France: Residing the Dream in Rural France all obtainable as e book, print & audio, on Amazon in every single place & all good bookshops on-line. Her newest guide The right way to be French – is a celebration of the French life-style and artwork de vivre.
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Need extra France?
Uncover extra fabulous locations in France with our free journal The Good Life France
Love France? Have a hearken to our podcast – all the pieces you need to find out about France and extra!
All rights reserved. This text might not be revealed, broadcast, rewritten (together with translated) or redistributed with out written permission.
