The Many Things I Love About France

There are so many things I love about France: the history, the culture, the people, the language, the food, the art, the music…. I could go on for days. Instead of telling you, I would love to show you some of the little treasures I have found on my daily walks. As we can’t travel to France at the moment, I will take you on a virtual tour of past trips, and share with you just some of the delights to be found in this incredible country.

For example, this little bicycle, parked near a post, sporting some beautiful flowers and flags for good measure.

In Paris, I found the Iron Lady peeking out at me from behind these incredible Haussmann buildings, the stunning architecture that always stops me in my tracks. She doesn’t have a bad angle, I can tell you that. This could be why I have exceeded the limit of photos on my phone numerous times.

And what would Paris be without her corner cafes, with waiters dressed in black and white …

…. and the bouquinistes (book sellers) by the Seine, and Notre Dame in all of her glory …

All of the walking makes me hungry. Luckily, there are countless boulangeries and patisseries that can help to curb the appetite. There are even shops selling nothing but beautiful and delicious macarons, their sweet little merange deliciousness melting immediately in my mouth …

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It’s important to only eat one (or two) since there are other stops to be made. I love how each boulangerie has its own sense of style, with a similar but slightly different selection …

If I’ve not overindulged with pastry goodness, I stop for a piece of delicious, hand-made chocolate. Yes, in France, there’s even a little shop just for chocolates …

It’s easy to see that this chocolaterie in Paris is my favorite, as I have photos from every season.

Little specialty shops are everywhere in France, some selling only cheese, meat, or fish. I love that in each little shop, someone is there to help me select the perfect item for my meal.

And flower shops, of course, selling bouquets of fragrant roses to place on my table …

There are epiceries on every block, the perfect place to stop in for last minute additions to the lunch menu, or to pick up items for a picnic under la Tour Eiffel.

Tiny delivery trucks deliver goods to local shops, somehow managing to park in equally tiny parking spots.

I adore the French pharmacies, where I tend to spend the good part of an hour at each visit, chatting with the pharmacists about just what kind of skin care is best for my 50 something skin. While pharmacies also have medicine (bien sur!) the majority of items are tonic and skin care related.

I admit that there have been a few times that I had to mail home a box (ok, two boxes) of pharmacie hauls.

In my defense, it was in part due to the pharmacist giving me oodles of samples and other little treasures.

Even without shopping, I spend hours and hours gazing up at the unique architecture.

(See a link to my post on Rennes, below)

Whether it’s the half-timbered houses in Dinan …

… or the tiny doors that can be found in quaint little towns like Vitre and Locronan.

In medieval towns like Dinan, one can even find their knight in shining armor …

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the food in Brittany. I love that I can find a creperie at almost every corner …

The galettes and crepes may be found elsewhere in France, but they don’t compare to the ones made here in Brittany. La Bretagne is known for its caramel beurre sale (salted caramel), which happens to be my favorite topping.

And locally produced cider is the perfect complement to a galette.

Of course, one can also enjoy cider at home, as we sometimes do.

The locals all have their favorite boulangerie, and make a point to shop only at that particular one throughout the week. I prefer to stop at as many as possible, tasting the different types of bread and the buttery croissants. That way, I can make an informed decision about which boulangerie will be “ours” when we’re there permanently. That’s my excuse, anyway!

I even love the local pastries, the flaky and delicious kouign amann.

I love that the presentation of food is always impressive, whether it is at D’icidela (in Dinan) offering a selection of both vege and carne dishes, made with locally sourced ingredients and served in glass jars …

… or the corner restaurant, La Lumachelle, that offers a fabulous mid-day 3-course meal for under 16 euros …

… and the crepes that we sometimes eat between lunch and dinner …

My husband and I love eating at Le Passe Simple (at the Port de Dinan) where they have a great selection of freshly made dishes that never disappoint …

I love that in both large cities and smaller villages, I can find narrow, cobbled streets all with lovely signs and detailed carvings in archways and corners …

There are also plaques all over France honoring those who fought and otherwise resisted during the World Wars.

I love that fast and reliable public transport can take me almost everywhere in the country, offering a comfortable and affordable way to see a variety of places during my visit.

Everyone loves market day in France – myself included – where one can find just about anything. In Brittany, there is quite the variety of fresh seafood …

… handmade soaps …

… and that famous Breton striped shirt.

(Link below to my post about Market Day in Brittany)

When visiting a French castle, I love that I find a little water station for the pups. They like visiting castles too, after all.

(Link to my post on Fort La Latte and Cap Frehel at the end)

I was in Brittany during the holidays in 2018. I loved the decorations and overall spirit there. I was a few days too late for a visit from Pere Noel, but I’m happy to know that there is a special mailsbox just for him in the town center. I’ll work on being extra good this year.

Speaking of the holidays, the Christmas markets are incredible …

I couldn’t have a post about things I love about France without mentioning the old doors. There is something uniquely special about the doors in France. If you are a door lover, like me and my friend Jackie, then you know what I mean. I have 6,578 photos on one phone (about the same on the other), and I’m guessing a good 500 are just of old French doors.

I love that long, leisurely lunches and hour long coffee breaks are the norm here in France. While there are some order-and-go places, they are the minority. People here understand the importance of taking one’s time and enjoying moments with friends and family.

There are so many things I love about France, but my favorite thing about France is the French. Not only are they the warmest people I’ve ever known, but they truly know how to live. They take such pleasure in the simple joys in life. Conversations around the dinner table revolve around life and people and culture and food. My father, on a recent visit, remarked that people in France talk much more than we do (in a good way). They seem to communicate on a much deeper level and spend the time to listen to what their friends and family are saying. This is why meals often end up being several hours long, and people leave the table full, both in terms of food and a long and satisfying conversation.

The French believe that we work to live, not live to work. Many shops and stores are closed from noon to 2 p.m. because people take proper lunch breaks. They will not be checking their phone for emails on a weekend or during a vacation because that is family time. If you travel to France in August, for example, you will find the streets deserted and many shops closed. Most everyone is vacationing for the month, after all …

Life in France seems to move at a different speed than here in the U.S., and it is one of the many things that I appreciate about being there. Now that we too have experienced what it is like to have to slow down, maybe that lifestyle will continue afterwards. I certainy hope so.

Thank you for allowing me to share my love of France with you. Please let me know in the comments what you love most about France, or what you would like to see if visiting France for the first time.

Interested in learning more about markets and castles and traveling in France? See the links below.

Market Day in Brittany https://talesfrombrittany.com/market-day-in-brittany/

Visitor Guide to Cap Frehel and Fort La Latte https://talesfrombrittany.com/visitor-guide-to-fort-la-latte-and-cap-frehel/

An Afternoon in Rennes https://talesfrombrittany.com/an-afternoon-in-rennes/

Stay safe and well,

Amy, from Tales from Brittany