Let me just say that France is cycling paradise. There is a perfect spiderweb of tiny "highways" - which are the tiniest of country roads - extending throughout the country and passing through one quaint French town after another. And the roads are quiet. I have gone for stretches of thirty kilometers without running into another car. Unlike the desert plateau of Spain, the countryside is totally lush green, in bloom, and criss-crossed with glassy copper-green rivers such as the one above. And the French. It is so great walking into the French patissieries, boulangeries, brasseries and hearing the French language. I love starting the morning with the fresh daily baguette and pastries. And while I am on the topic of baguettes, it must be noted that this is the best part of waking up - NOT Folgers in your cup. Everyone is at the boulangerie picking up their daily baguettes - little kids sent on errands, old women on cycles, everyone. At the campsites even if there is nothing else there is a list that you sign for your morning baguette. I am pretty sure that if you wanted to cause French riots you could do so easily by taking away the treasured baguette. And rightly so. (8/01/04)
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Southern France |
