Gosh, Pierre, I just “found” this article—and it reminds me of the so many reasons I love France. Sometimes I find it hard to explain to someone why I love France and have visited her so often; now maybe I can be a more specific and borrow (I erased the word “steal” 😁) from your article. But in reality, it’s still difficult sometimes to explain or describe the emotions that France stirs within me. Thank you!
I’ve never been to Perpignan, but I heard that the region of Roussillon is a very beautiful place. Collioure and the Côte Vermeille are just around the corner to the south on the way to Spain.
What a wonderful list of observations! And all completely accurate, in my humble American opinion. I just finished reading an article on the same topic by my friend Véronique. She explains the France is a woman, who will not be mistaken for "easy". She is complex, difficult, and multi-facited'. She knows her worth. She is a diva. But if you stick around long enough and accept her for who she is, you will fall deeply in love. ( Whether it will be reciprocated is questionable... 😄😄). But it will take time, consistency, and commitment. ... You're not going to change her. You have to accept her - in all her complicated, feminine glory- for who she is. Because she knows who she is.
The paperwork, the bureaucracy is astonishing. My husband used to pull his hair out requesting his birth certificate from Angoulême when he was living in Aberdeen, before everything was online. We now live in France, and I get to see the bureaucracy up close and personal.
Oh yes, Mélanie — you’ve seen it from both sides now! 😄
French bureaucracy truly deserves its own museum exhibit, doesn’t it? At times it feels like you’ve stepped straight into la maison qui rend fou from Astérix — forms, stamps, more forms, and just when you think you’re done… another form!
I loved this post, which I think is overall right on, and found so much to comment on that I think I will have to do it comment by comment. I agree with most of your points, but there are a few p that I haven't found true in my (long) French life.
The first one is about how enchanting French villages are. Some are, but some are not! They can be sad and depressing, their stone houses all "tartinées" in the 60s or 70s, plus with many empty houses and no more commerce.
Thank you so much, Betty — I really appreciate your thoughtful comment (and your “comment by comment” plan made me smile!).
You’re absolutely right — not every French village is picture-perfect. In the piece I did admit to generalising a little 😉, but I guess I was thinking of the regions I know best — Alsace, Burgundy, Savoie and Provence — where it’s genuinely rare to come across a village that feels truly ugly.
That said, what you describe is certainly true of some towns and larger cities, especially those with post-war suburbs — the cités built on the outskirts. But in rural France proper (in the East of France at least), you rarely see that kind of landscape. Even the simplest villages often keep a certain quiet beauty — sometimes in spite of themselves!
Nice list! I’d add another, perhaps a “1b” — “Paris doesn’t represent all of France.” I know a lot of people who say the French are rude and then when I ask where they’ve been, it’s only Paris. Of course Paris is more rude than the rest of France, like NYC and the rest of the USA. It’s still only a very small minority, but it’s also understandable — the city is big and busy, as you mentioned, and filled with tourists who I am sure get annoying sometimes. (That said, I do love Paris, it’s absolutely one of the best cities in the world.)
Paris is wonderful, but it’s its own world, isn’t it? Big, fast, intense… and sometimes a little impatient.
I always tell people that if you drive two hours out of the capital, you’ll meet a different France — slower, warmer, full of smiles and long conversations about cheese, bread and wine. 😉
This was delightful, I enjoyed it very much and had to smile at how true it all seemed. It makes me anticipate my upcoming trip back to France even more.
Very good and 100% accurate. "Slow down, look closer, stay curious." and start a conversation with "bonjour", are indeed the keys to discovering and enjoying France.
Love this! So many good lines. And yes, such contrasts. Made me want to immediately book a flight back…Ça me va droit au coeur!
Merci beaucoup, Rachel ! Et bonne journée !
Gosh, Pierre, I just “found” this article—and it reminds me of the so many reasons I love France. Sometimes I find it hard to explain to someone why I love France and have visited her so often; now maybe I can be a more specific and borrow (I erased the word “steal” 😁) from your article. But in reality, it’s still difficult sometimes to explain or describe the emotions that France stirs within me. Thank you!
Bonjour Janis, I’m so glad you discovered this “old” post of mine and enjoyed it! A bientôt! 👋
Looking at moving to Perpignan! This is a well written piece that opened my eyes
I’ve never been to Perpignan, but I heard that the region of Roussillon is a very beautiful place. Collioure and the Côte Vermeille are just around the corner to the south on the way to Spain.
What a wonderful list of observations! And all completely accurate, in my humble American opinion. I just finished reading an article on the same topic by my friend Véronique. She explains the France is a woman, who will not be mistaken for "easy". She is complex, difficult, and multi-facited'. She knows her worth. She is a diva. But if you stick around long enough and accept her for who she is, you will fall deeply in love. ( Whether it will be reciprocated is questionable... 😄😄). But it will take time, consistency, and commitment. ... You're not going to change her. You have to accept her - in all her complicated, feminine glory- for who she is. Because she knows who she is.
Oh thank you, Danyel, for taking the time to write your comment! I like the “diva” description, that’s a good one!
« The French café isn’t a gossip hub — it’s a Socratic arena with espresso. »
Brilliant article containing what are now my top ten quotes of the year! Could there be better? Pourraient être mieux? Thank you, mille merci
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it! :-)
I couldn't agree more! Thank you for sharing your 25 delightful secrets.
You’re welcome, thank you so much!
If I hadn’t been planning another trip to France for next year, I’m sure your write up would’ve caused me to do so.
Thank you, Glenda!
The paperwork, the bureaucracy is astonishing. My husband used to pull his hair out requesting his birth certificate from Angoulême when he was living in Aberdeen, before everything was online. We now live in France, and I get to see the bureaucracy up close and personal.
Oh yes, Mélanie — you’ve seen it from both sides now! 😄
French bureaucracy truly deserves its own museum exhibit, doesn’t it? At times it feels like you’ve stepped straight into la maison qui rend fou from Astérix — forms, stamps, more forms, and just when you think you’re done… another form!
Bon dimanche !
I loved this post, which I think is overall right on, and found so much to comment on that I think I will have to do it comment by comment. I agree with most of your points, but there are a few p that I haven't found true in my (long) French life.
The first one is about how enchanting French villages are. Some are, but some are not! They can be sad and depressing, their stone houses all "tartinées" in the 60s or 70s, plus with many empty houses and no more commerce.
Thank you so much, Betty — I really appreciate your thoughtful comment (and your “comment by comment” plan made me smile!).
You’re absolutely right — not every French village is picture-perfect. In the piece I did admit to generalising a little 😉, but I guess I was thinking of the regions I know best — Alsace, Burgundy, Savoie and Provence — where it’s genuinely rare to come across a village that feels truly ugly.
That said, what you describe is certainly true of some towns and larger cities, especially those with post-war suburbs — the cités built on the outskirts. But in rural France proper (in the East of France at least), you rarely see that kind of landscape. Even the simplest villages often keep a certain quiet beauty — sometimes in spite of themselves!
Bon dimanche ! 👋
Nice list! I’d add another, perhaps a “1b” — “Paris doesn’t represent all of France.” I know a lot of people who say the French are rude and then when I ask where they’ve been, it’s only Paris. Of course Paris is more rude than the rest of France, like NYC and the rest of the USA. It’s still only a very small minority, but it’s also understandable — the city is big and busy, as you mentioned, and filled with tourists who I am sure get annoying sometimes. (That said, I do love Paris, it’s absolutely one of the best cities in the world.)
Thanks so much, Ben — and I completely agree!
Paris is wonderful, but it’s its own world, isn’t it? Big, fast, intense… and sometimes a little impatient.
I always tell people that if you drive two hours out of the capital, you’ll meet a different France — slower, warmer, full of smiles and long conversations about cheese, bread and wine. 😉
Bravo for this newsletter, I love it ! I definitely agree, you need to feel her 😊
Oh thank you!!
This was delightful, I enjoyed it very much and had to smile at how true it all seemed. It makes me anticipate my upcoming trip back to France even more.
You’re welcome, thank you for your note!
Very good and 100% accurate. "Slow down, look closer, stay curious." and start a conversation with "bonjour", are indeed the keys to discovering and enjoying France.
Thank you! Have a nice day!