Your French Moments: From Provence to Alsace singing La Marseillaise
Inside this FREE Substack: A charming little-known village in Provence + the Hotel of the Week in Alsace + More about the story behind the French National Anthem.
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Bonjour mes amis!
Summer has clearly arrived, and though I’m still based in southern England, we’ve had our fair share of golden skies and warm breezes lately.
Not bad at all — especially if you’re in the mood for a little daydreaming or a virtual getaway.
This week, I’ve been wrapping up several articles and preparing something special about La Marseillaise — that fierce anthem which started as a war cry and somehow became the very heartbeat of the French Republic. (More on that further down.)
But I’ve also wandered (in my mind, mostly) through the cobbled lanes of Provence.
I revisited a village called Goult — still as charming, still as slow-paced, and still completely worth discovering… despite a recent news story that briefly put it under the media spotlight.
Thankfully, the village has kept all its soul — and its shade.
And on the Alsace side, I’m sharing a hotel pick that’s as seasonal as it is historic: a place where each room whispers a different story depending on the time of year.
History, travel, a bit of national pride, and the occasional bon mot — it’s all in this week’s mix.
Shall we begin?
✨ Stay tuned for the PAID subscriber edition next Wednesday:
“Marianne: The Woman Who Became France”
She stands in every town hall, gazes out from stamps and coins, and bears the full weight of liberté, égalité, fraternité. But who is she, really?
Last Wednesday, I shared my post “A Revolutionary Anthem: The Story of La Marseillaise”. Curious? You can still read it!
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Enjoy and à bientôt!
Pierre
French Village of the Week 🌻
Before I tell you about the charm of Goult, I want to acknowledge something difficult.
Just a few days ago, this peaceful village made headlines across France and Europe for the tragic and shocking events that took place during a wedding celebration.
Two people — including the bride — lost their lives, and three others were seriously injured after gunmen attacked them outside the local village hall.
The incident, still under investigation, appears to have no connection to the village itself, but rather to personal or criminal motives linked to individuals from outside the community.
The mayor of Goult, visibly shaken, described the event as “targeted” and completely out of character for this small, close-knit village.
It’s a heartbreaking story. But it should not define Goult.
Now, let me tell you why this village deserves to be known for something else entirely.
Goult is one of those places in the Luberon that doesn’t make the glossy headlines — and that’s exactly why I love it.
While tourists flock to nearby Gordes, Roussillon, or Ménerbes, Goult keeps its quiet charm tucked into golden stone houses, sleepy squares, and narrow lanes lined with wildflowers.
No crowds. No rush. Just that unmistakable Provençal rhythm of life.
I visited a year and a half ago, and I was so taken by the place that I created a commented video tour on YouTube.
It’s not just a walk through the streets — I guide you through the history, the highlights, and the hidden corners of the village, so you can truly get a feel for it.
If you're planning a trip to Provence and want a place that feels authentic, gentle, and lived-in, Goult might just be what you're looking for.
The Story Behind La Marseillaise 🎼
You’ve heard the tune. You’ve seen it sung with fists raised on Bastille Day. But do you really know the story behind La Marseillaise — that fierce, dramatic anthem that gave a voice to the French Revolution and later became the soul of the Republic?
In this special article (exclusive to paying subscribers), I take you deep into the unexpected history of France’s national anthem:
👉 its origins in 1792, not in Marseille, but in Strasbourg, written overnight by a young military engineer named Rouget de Lisle
👉 how it spread like wildfire across revolutionary France, becoming a rallying cry before it was ever officially adopted
👉 the verses you never hear — and why some of them were later suppressed
👉 how La Marseillaise fell in and out of favour during France’s turbulent political shifts: monarchy, republic, empire, again and again
👉 and why today, despite its blood-stirring lyrics, it still inspires pride, debate… and goosebumps.
It’s a story of music, politics, rebellion and resilience — with a few unexpected twists along the way.
Hotel of the Week 📸
Hôtel Le Gouverneur***
📍13 rue de Sélestat, 67210 Obernai
Some hotel stays are just a stopover.
Others feel like part of the journey.
That’s exactly how I felt at Hotel Le Gouverneur, right in the heart of Obernai — a picture-perfect town in Alsace nestled between vineyards and the Vosges foothills.
There’s nothing flashy here. Just the right blend of charm, comfort, and quiet history to make you feel like you’ve landed somewhere special.
Set in a 16th-century building, the hotel leans gently against Obernai’s old ramparts, just steps from the cobbled centre.
The moment you step through the doorway, the atmosphere settles in — a timbered courtyard, softly lit corridors, and rooms with warm, seasonal tones. Mine was themed around Alsace’s famous storks (!) — spacious, spotless, and wonderfully quiet.
And the breakfast? Generous, fresh, and varied — just what you need before a day of wandering through vineyards or up into the Vosges.
What I loved most was the feeling of sleeping in a place steeped in stories — but never heavy or overdone. The stones whisper, yes, but they also leave room for your own adventure.
It’s a perfect base to explore Obernai on foot, stroll along the ramparts, or head out on the Alsace Wine Route.
👉 If you love places with character, peaceful nights, hearty breakfasts, and the kind of Alsace that reveals itself without fuss — bookmark this hotel.
You can book directly here (affiliate link – thank you for supporting my on-the-ground work!).
A Symbol of Resistance. A Story Worth Remembering ☨
Every year, 18 June brings with it a voice echoing from the past: that of General Charles de Gaulle, speaking from London in 1940. A call to resist. A call to hope.
But that same day, another figure began its rise — silent, striking, and full of meaning: the Cross of Lorraine.
Two bars. One message.
🕊️ Resistance.
🛡️ Faith.
🌟 Hope.
This symbol has followed me for years — through my childhood in Lorraine, through history books and old war photos, through the streets of Metz and the beaches of Normandy.
So I decided to tell its story.
And not just the WWII part — but the full journey, from its ancient origins in the Christian East to the Free French Forces of 1940.
It’s all in a short, beautifully illustrated ebook I’ve just released.
📘 The Cross of Lorraine: 2000 Years of History, Symbols and Resistance
Inside, you’ll find:
Crusaders, kings and glassmakers
Forgotten martyrs and famous generals
A symbol that stood against the swastika — and still stands today
10 chapters, 50 pages, plenty of surprises
🧭 If you’ve ever stood in front of a war memorial and wondered about that strange cross with two bars…
📚 If you enjoy untold stories, symbolic meanings, and the power of heritage…
🇫🇷 Or if you’re simply curious about France and its resilient spirit…
I think you’ll enjoy this one.
👉 The ebook is £6 (approx. $8.20). But if you're an annual subscriber, it's yours for free as a thank-you gift.
Fancy learning French with a personal touch? 🇫🇷
Whether you’re just starting out or want to brush up before your next trip to France, I offer online French lessons via Google Meet — 40 minutes of relaxed, friendly conversation, sprinkled with helpful grammar tips and cultural insights.
I already work with wonderful learners from the US, the UK and Australia — and I’d be delighted to welcome you too.
You’ll find all the details on my website. 👇
Or simply reply to this email and say bonjour — I’d love to hear from you!
Merci pour l’histoire de la marseillaise! also I had not heard about that tragic story of the wedding. How terrible.