Friendly France?
By Joanne Lane I spent my first few moments in Europe's most elegant city, fending off a drunken man determined to pinch my guide book. There was a scuffle, punches exchanged and we departed he was empty handed and me with a blooded lip and swollen jaw but triumphantly holding my guide book. It was a Sunday in Paris and the only response to my scream was a puzzled and unhelpful French woman who immediately walked on, and a sandwhich seller who refused to even look at me even though I was dribbling blood over her street stall and my lip was all but hanging on the ground. Are the French friendly? Within just a few minutes of arrival I came to the conclusion that what people say about the unhelpful and often rude French must be true. I'd lost my train tickets in the scuffle so I hitched my gear and decided to walk. Less than half an hour later a good Samaritan helped me with my gear when I ped something taking a photograph. My attitude softened - maybe the French were not so bad? By the time I'd left France I'd been treated to free coffee, kebabs, roasted chestnuts and wine. I'd been given free accommodation by a couple in Cannes for the film festival, free lifts in the countryside when motorists saw me walking and a hostel that had been closed opened just for me as they felt sorry to turn me away. Are the French friendly? My conclusion is you get good and bad people everywhere so why should France be any different. I'd met the worst on my first day and the best everywhere else. Once you've settled this debate for yourself you can work out where to go. The French gave the world the Tour de France and the Eiffel Tower, champagne, camembert, great bread, Sleeping Beauty, No doubt your entry point to France will be Paris or your journey will take you here at some point. The French capital is stimulating in every sense. There is art, music, history, tastes and smells. You'll also realise you know more about Paris than you thought as you see Notre Dame, Moulin Rouge, the Rhein River, Champs Elysees, the Mona Lisa and the Bastille. And probably leave realising there is far more to explore. Just to the south of Paris is Versailles, Europe's most famous chateaux. The important treaty of Versailles was signed here to end the first world war. It's also been home to Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. Eight hundred hectares of grounds, 20 kilometres of roads, 200,000 trees, and 50 fountains make up the grounds alone. Inside are 67 staircases, 6000 paintings, 700 rooms and 2,153 windows. Further south again and there's more evidence of the luxuries the French nobilities enjoyed in the Loire Valley. The Kings, princes and wealthy built Chateaux as retreats, status symbols and love nests. Today they are open to the public to explore the fairytale castles, amazing gardens, wooded forests, moats and turrets. Travelling further south and you'll come to Bordeaux renowned amongst most travellers as a great region for trying local wine. The Medoc is the wine growing region of 100kms in each direction. The region is noted for its cabernet sauvignons. The 18th century grandeur of Bordeaux itself is not lost on most either or the wonderful ethnic mix of the population. Its Atlantic coast location also makes Bordeaux a good launching point to visit seaside towns, the Dordogne region and the vineyards in the area. In May you could wander down to the French Riviera for the annual Film Festival in Cannes. During the festivities you can star watch, drink champagne or watch others drink it, catch a few films, and dream of staying in the boutique hotels or dining in the seaside restaurants. There are some nice beaches around here and there is beautiful coastline around to Nice and Monaco. For something a little different visit the French island of Corsica. The island has a different character to mainland France due to its isolation and Italian sun! It can be wild, beautiful and rugged and somewhat old fashioned. Napoleon Bonaparte was born here. Whatever you do and wherever you're guaranteed plenty to see and more importantly friendly souls to make your stay more memorable. WHEN TO GO TO FRANCE
There's pretty much something for visitors in all seasons in France depending on what you want to do. In the winter you can ski in the French Alps and Pyrenees, in Spring there's beautiful flowers and good weather particularly along the coast, summers are busy but a time to really enjoy the countryside or alpine areas for walking, and autumns aren't bad either. GETTING AROUND
The French rail system is very organised, punctual and unfortunately a little expensive. The main rail site is www.sncf.com where you can get prices and schedules. Where there aren't trains there are buses. Eurolines operates in France and can be a good service for long distance journeys. BOOK HERE |
