Ah, France: Emmanuelle Béart, Paris, Truffaut, Balzac, wine, romantism, love, cheese, good food, books, wonderful countryside, the language and all the other things that make France a magic country.
I wont mention strikes, arrogance and French cultural exception here ;)
Yes, France is a magic country and when I have lived abroad I often missed some special things from homeland, mostly food and Paris exciting cultural life. However, there are plenty things I dont like about my country, and realize when travelling that people in other places are nicer or more risk going. So, like everywhere obviously there are the good and bads.
However, if I was a tourist, I think I would be fascinated by France, for it really has an impressive diversity of landscapes and because every time I come back to Paris after a few days away from the capitale I realize how magic and beautiful this city is.
I think it would take hours to talk about France, but I think the common ideas that tourists have are basically right: it is a perfect place for romance, eating well and we have a French "dolce vita". I think it is hard to be indifferent to Paris, except if you really dont like cities. On the other hand, it is true we are not the most welcoming people in the world. But to be honest I think we behave with the tourists as we behave between each other French people...
French mentality is very complex and I am not sure I have understood it enough to be able to give you insights!
Anyway, what is easier is giving you my personal favorite places in France. It is subjective, but these are the places I have seen and loved:
Paris, Saint-Malo, Belle-Ile, Vannes, Bordeaux and Saint-Emilion, French Riviera, Honfleur, the Alps, Sarlat and Dordogne. |