'An
enlightened way of life'
It’s hard to generalise about France, as Charles de
Gaulle once remarked, ‘how could one describe a country
which has 365 kinds of cheese?’ Yet there is something about
this magnificent land which draws millions of francophiles back
year after year for a taste of la vie française.
Could it be the chic boulevards of Paris, the sparkling
ski slopes of the Alps, sunlit vineyards
and sun-baked beaches, a dusty game of boules,
or coffee and croissants in an undiscovered village? Or perhaps
it’s a tour of the majestic châteaux
of the Loire that appeals, the glamorous jet-set
lifestyle of the Mediterranean, or a relaxing picnic
in Provence, where the air is fragrant with wild
herbs and lavender? Consider also the delights of other lesser-known
regions such as Franche-Comté, Gascony
or Berry, deep in the green heart of France, regions
firmly rooted to the land, whose sleepy villages offer visitors
a chance to sample the true douceur de vivre of provincial France.
There is no denying that France is a land of great contrasts, offering
an endless choice of interesting and enticing destinations, a rich
diversity of landscapes, cuisines, climates and peoples, with an
exceptional cultural heritage. It’s easy to see why the French
stay at home for their holidays and why they so felicitously call
their country La Belle France. |
