Once attracted to white sandy beaches, hotels with poolside cocktail bars and stylish restaurants I am now drawn to cafe terraces, village-square markets and proud tradition.
Though there isn't a country in Europe I haven't loved visiting, Benjamin Franklin's famous words -
‘Everyone has two countries - their own and France’,
could be my own. I won't ever tire of the rhythm of #French life, or the ever-changing scenery.
No drive through France is ever the same, you are always, without fail, guaranteed dramatic coastlines, thick forest, street-markets under towering churches, and hills littered with greens, yellows and lavender.
Whilst I love the bustle of the Country's towns and cities history-seeped streets, I take comfort from knowing that in France - should I want - I will easily find a quiet place, protected from civilisation, not too far away.
As I write I am sat surrounded by cornfields and mellow low-Normandy countryside. I know other people live not too far away from the gite cottage I have rented for a few days during my two-week exploration of France, but I can't hear anyone. The wind rustling the corn is only punctuated by the business of insects and the song of birds. If I strain, I can hear the occasional rumble of an old vehicle traversing the village lanes, but they are few and far between.
My view is 50 shades of green, and I’ll take that over grey any day! On my horizon, a rich forestry curls round the Chateau of Carrouges, a prestigious residence which dates from the 14th century. Sadly, the original fortifications at #Carrouges were destroyed by English forces during the 100 years' war, but it was rebuilt in the 15th Century and has since been extended several times.
History doesn't die in France. The French nurture crumbling foundations and whilst modern day is not ignored, history is visible in every home, prominent in every village and pours through the French streets.
Romanesque style church buildings like the impressive Mont Saint Michel Abbey, and gothic cathedrals like Cathedrale Bordeaux, still stand tall, demanding recognition of times gone by. Such visual chronicles draw people from all over the world and impalpably weave France into their hearts.
Visitors with money, wanting to become a part of France's pageantries, buy second homes in the guise of crumbling farmhouses with gites for extra income. Those without cash are compelled to pack up their lives and move to live a simple life which nurtures their arts.
Whatever one’s reasons for coming to France, the country's abundant food produce ensure that no one goes hungry. Outdoor markets sell everything, fruit, vegetables, cheese, meat and fish. The sociality of the food sellers makes the market more than just shopping - they are always ready to chat and pass the time of day with a recipe or a cuisine tip. And if you forget anything, or simply want more - out on the road, away from the street markets, there is always a sign ready to entice you into a local farm for home-grown, home-reared or home-made produce.
As a pescatarian I love #Cancale. A seaside resort renowned for its world-famous flat oysters. You can buy #oysters and other shellfish all year round from the market in the port, but nothing beats the pleasure of tasting them on the quay, seated opposite the breeding grounds.
And as if the Oysters don’t make me happy enough, there is no shortage of my other food love - cheese. The #Camembert in #Normandy is the creamiest I have tasted. Roasted in its wooden container with garlic cloves pushed through its tasty skin - it is the best thing in which to dip fresh bread, and chase with a glass of red wine.
Wherever you are in France, I doubt you will ever be much more than an hour's drive away from an area in which #wine is made. The variety of the lands in which the vines are grown and the micro-climates they experience, make for an array of flavours. An accomplished wine drinker can recognise which area of France a wine is from by its distinct flavour, but wine expertise is not necessary in France - one can have faith that any French wine purchased will be decent.
French wine regions are scattered in all corners of France.
The #Burgundy region makes some of the most highly sought wines in small quantities.
#Champagne makes sparkling wines. They are expensive because of the amount of work involved in their production.
Many of the world's most expensive wines are made in #Bordeaux.
The #Languedoc-Roussillon region is the largest wine region.
The #Loire Valley region produces most of France’s white wine.
The best of French and Italian wine traditions is combined on #Corsica.
The #Alsace wine region has, in the past, been part of Germany, and the wines made there reflect that history.
Regions like Savoie and the Jura have alpine Swiss influence.
Southwest France’s wines overlap with Spain.
The best of French and Italian wine tradition is combined on #Corsica.
I can assure you; I intend to sample all over time.
The only problem I have with France is choosing which part of this wonderful hospitable country I should explore next and stopping myself from overindulging in its beautiful food and wine.
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