Volumes have already been written
by more eloquent folks about France and the wonderful experiences it
offers to its visitors. I thought long and hard about what I can say that would
not sound like I just ‘copy-pasted’ things from other articles I found online.
I realised that the special beauty of my experience was that I stayed only with
French families, sleeping on their beds (the French are too nice to offer you
their couch), having dinner with the families, having them show us around on
weekends, it was fantastic! Hopefully at least some of what I am about to
blab away about is new and interesting.
Here is my version of the must
dos if and when you visit this fascinating country.
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| Walking down the stairs into the city of Lyon |
Walk!:
Trust me when I say that this is THE way to see France. All you need is a
map, metro routes and a good pair of walking shoes. Take the Metro to one
destination everyday and chalk out a walking route, visiting all the sights in
the area. Sometimes you should also wander in the narrow lanes to discover the
many hidden treasures. This is especially fun in a big city like Paris. Cosy
bars, quaint restaurants, quirky stores, inspiring street art; it’s in the
narrow lanes that the heart of the country lies.
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| Christmas festivities in the streets of Montpellier |
·
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| Quirky souvenirs being sold on the banks of the Seine |
Take
yourself to a Marche: Marche is
French for market and there are many versions of these happening in every city.
Local producers of meat, cheese, fruits and vegetables, wine and many other
delights gather to sell their produce. There is no better way of experiencing
the famous gastronomy of France. Also a good place to find kitschy garments and unique gifts for family and friends. Whether or not you shop, I am sure you will be
delighted by the trip. Note however that these are not permanent
establishments, more like travelling markets, talk to the locals and find out
which ones will be operational when you are around. If you travel around
Christmas like I did, there are Christmas Markets (Marche de Noel) everywhere.
Make sure you drink some hot wine. Absolutely divine and surprisingly
intoxicating.
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| Local produce from Lyon, displayed in a Sunday Market |
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Gorge on
French food: I am amazed at how this travelogue is turning into a food
guide! Well, anyway EAT FRENCH FOOD! Forget your
biryani and
palak paneer
and
idli when you are here. Give in
to the stinky cheese (stinkier the better), the sublime wine and gorgeous fresh
bread. It is not true that there is a dearth of vegetarian options. You just
need to know how to get the message across. I have spent days eating desserts
for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Croissants, crepes, pain au chocolat, tarte
aux pommes; the list is endless and these are very pocket friendly and just the
thing you need while walking around on the streets. If sitting and dining is more your style, then check out my post
Restaurant Hopping in La Belle France for a
list of places to eat that I loved.
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| Fromage everywhere |
Use
public transport: I am not giving this as advice to the planet, do this for
yourself. It is a nice and easy way to hear French around you, observe the
people and their culture. Each city is different, from the students of
Montpellier to the hip young crowd in Lyon to the eclectic mix of nationalities
in Paris. Take a seat at the back and watch quietly as France reveals itself to
you. Special perk for me was dog watching while travelling; you just have to get your pet a
ticket and he/she can travel with you on the train or tram or bus.
·
Revel in
Public spaces: The beautiful ‘squares’ or parks located in all parts of the
city. Green, open spaces where people come to chill, to read, to skate board, to
picnic, to dance, to sing, to celebrate New year. Little islands of total
freedom where you can do your thing, whatever it is. I sat here and took
pictures.
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| Peyrou, a beautiful park in Montpellier |
·
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| The central square in Lyon, where a Vespa club meeting is in full swing |
Visit a
small town: Find one that fits in
your plan but absolutely you must do it. The French countryside with the large
stretches of vineyards, clear blue skies, crisp pure air, and perfect fully
formed rainbows. This is the stuff that dream vacations are made of. Nothing spells
UNWIND like a couple of days doing nothing but eating farm fresh produce and
sipping locally made wine.
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| Quaint houses on the streets of Obernai |
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| Vineyards, blue skies and sunshine |
As I read what I have written, it becomes evident to me that most of this
can be done only if you spend a decent amount of time in a country. I spent almost a month in
France, starting in the South with Montpellier, moving northwards to Lyon, then
Paris, then Strasbourg then on to the border of Germany to Obernai. Take your time,
see the sights but also experience things that are not written in guide books
or blogs such as these.
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| Finding neverland and a rainbow! |
