Memories of France

France

I am joining Anita at Castles crowns and cottages to take part in her link party, so pack your bags and join us in a journey to France!

 When I think of France I immediately think of delicious food,wine, fascinating people and places, beautiful language, amazing architecture and lots of artistic inspiration.

Although my first picture was of the Eiffel Tower we will leave the delights of Paris behind for others to mention and concentrate instead on places close to the sea, (did you expect anything else from me!) My first memory of France was visiting the South of France in the early 70's staying in a motel near Frejus. The sea was so warm - the photo must have faded over time as it doesn't look the Mediterranean blue that I remember ! The beach looks deserted apart from me standing at the waters edge.

Four years later we returned to the South of France, but this time rented a chalet up in the hills above Cannes. It was amazing how popular the stretch along the coast had become in just a few years. We sat in traffic jams to get to the beach, only to find everyone squashed together like sardines. For once I much preferred the attractive villages in the hills away from the crowds. There it was just the company of olive trees with the sound of crickets, and the smell of lavender. The smell of lavender even today takes me instantly back to those hillsides.....

Tourrettes-sur-Loup

A school day trip to Boulogne was my next visit where we practiced the French we had learnt at school, and bought French food to taste and take home. French baguettes, cheeses and croissants weren't common-place in England then!

My husband and children's first encounter with France was a long coach trip to Disneyland Paris, which didn't show them much of the true spirit of France.A few years later we had a chance to appreciate this in Brittany with its amazing shoreline, Celtic connections and the  traditional music all of which reminded us so much of Cornwall.

A French fisherman launching his boat in Brittany

View over Concarneau Bay

 Traditional Breton costumes

Rather than  revisit the busy South of France, we also took the children to the less crowded Languedoc region. The colours, architecture and warm climate were wonderful and also the wine from the grapes grown in the region were very good too! 

The wine from a small local wine producer  was only a short walk from where we were staying.

Collioure

France is such a huge country and there are still so many other places I long to explore... do you have any favourite places? I also enjoy reading books about France and those that have followed their dream and made a new life there, these are among my favourites :-

A year in Provence - Peter Mayle

Extreme pale rose: A very French adventure by James Ivey

Narrow dog to Carcassonne - Terry Darlington

The Olive tree - Carol Drinkwater

C'est la folie - Michael Wright

Chocolat - Joanne Harris

I have just finished reading Joanne's Harris book titled "Peaches for Monsieur Le Cure" which is a 3rd book in the triology  following her book and  the film "Chocolat". It bought back for me the scents, colours and tastes of France. I hadn't read the second book but  this did  not detract from the story. If you would  be interested in winning this book please leave me a comment mentioning it and I will pulll out a name at the end of the week.

Thank you for taking this short journey through France with me. There are many others taking  part in this journey so if you still wish to explore see other participants postings see Castles crowns and cottages. If you haven't visited Anita's blog before you will discover a wonderful world of inspiration, music and artistry  Thank you Anita for arranging this great party and allowing me to share my memories of France with you.

Sarah x