Things to love about France

Judy.  After spending six weeks in France—not nearly enough, by the way—I’ve come up with some things I love about France, and, in fact, most of Europe: 

1. Public transport. Wow. Both trains around the country and buses and Metro in the city.

Metro station across the street

For about two dollars, we can go almost anywhere in the city on the Metro. Trains are a bit more, but getting to Quivrechain, by the Belgian border, was a dream in two hours on the TGV. Chartres, Rouen, and Reims were easy to get to. And taking a Metro or RER train to the airport was a breeze. 

RER station 3 blocks away

           

2. Respect. Do not try to tell me that the French are rude. Almost every time I get on a crowded Metro, I’m offered a seat, and often, Ted is as well. People stopped when we were checking our GPS to see if we were lost, and if they could help. Others helped us pull our big suitcases up the stairs of the Metro. 

 3. Response to Covid. There’s a reason the numbers are lower here than the US. Mask mandates, proof of vaccination or a negative test the same day (there are pop-up test kiosks everywhere), and hand sanitizer are required for entry to restaurants and often to shops. Masks are required on the Metro, with a 130 euro fine if you’re caught without one. 

4. Street markets. Oh, my gosh, the beauty of those fresh veggies, the meats, the fish, the flowers! If you keep your eyes open you can find one almost every day, but the big ones are usually two or three days a week. Prices are reasonable, and quality good. And I love hearing the vendors shout. 

Early Friday morning in Vincennes

5. Supermarkets almost across the street, so you can buy what you can’t get at the market on a daily basis. I’m in love with the frozen pre-prepared quiches and tarts. 

6. Real cafes everywhere. No need for Starbucks here, though you can find those, too. And every inch of the sidewalk around is used. This was true pre-pandemic, as well. 

One of many in Vincennes

7. Windows. Those fabulous ones that either swing wide or open at the top so you can get fresh air. 

8. Rentrée. We call it “back to school,” but here, it’s more than that. People have returned from their month-long vacation and are ready to start work. School is starting. Fall is starting. And the slow emergence from the pandemic has made this year even more exciting! It truly is a re-entry. 

9. Well-behaved dogs. It’s also a joy to watch owners with new pups gently train them to behave in the cafés. Unlike scooters, they take up little room on the Metro. 

10. Green spaces. There are parks everywhere, and they are well used. Ted says that they’re the living rooms (along with cafés) of folks who live in tiny apartments. Maybe, but there are always people in them. 

Bois de Vincennes

Alice in Wonderland area in the Bois de Vincennes

11. Bio. Not just organic food, which is everywhere, but also a commitment to use less. Plastic is hard to find; my yogurt containers are paper which can be recycled. Bags for veggies in the stores are paper. 

12. Museums and public art. Enough said. 

Christo's installation on the Arc de Triompe

13. Inclusion and diversity. I understand France has had its issues with discrimination against minorities. Seems as though the same colonialism has lead, over generations, to acceptance of those who mainstream. I love seeing the diverse families. And this ad will forever be the favorite of this aging traveler! 

There are also things I can do without. 

1. Smoking. Seems like last time we were here, it was better. Of course we were in Aix-en-Provence, so maybe health is more important there. Or maybe the pandemic sent folks into a smoking frenzy again, but it’s awful. 

2. Scooters, both manual and electric. They seem to have replaced bikes, but people don’t know whether to use them on sidewalks or the street, so they’re everywhere, including on the crowded Metros. In the supermarket the other day, there were two kids running rampant with them, while mom blithely shopped. 

3. Dog poop on the street. While the dogs seem well behaved, the owners, not so much. Granted, it’s much better than it was when I came to Paris the first time, but some owners haven’t learned.