Our French Experience

Some of our well-traveled friends have already spent much time in France. This was our first trip. After 2 weeks, we are leaving for Firenze (Florence), Italy. Our first class tickets give us more comfortable seating, if only we had gotten on the right car. We didn’t. From Chinon back to Paris we sat in between two 1st Class cars, on inferior seats normally reserved for the train attendants.

It was a minor setback and soon forgotten as we lunched on a delicious ‘jambon et fromage’ baguette sandwich we bought from our favourite boulangerie in Chinon. The night train from Paris provides couchettes and a private compartment, but little sleep. We have time to reflect on our French experience.

Many of our base sauces and recipes have evolved from classic French cuisine. The French prepare well-flavoured food. However, they are not the only ones. Italian, Spanish, Canadian and American home and restaurant cooks can also prepare delicious meals. Meticulously detailed presentations set the French apart. Their pastries can be works of art.

The people here are very civilized. Even in Paris I didn’t see or hear anyone get impatient. There were no honking horns at traffic light changes, and no shouting matches at the markets. Language was never a barrier. Our hosts were very receptive to our weak attempts in communicating.

In the parks, we witnessed families engage in a universal language. You don’t need a French-English dictionary to understand the joy of a kid being lifted from the ground by a mom-and-dad swing. When he lands he exclaims something to his parents. We know it means “Again, do it again!”

The climate here is wonderful. Even in Champagne and Normandy, the winters are mild. I was surprised to see so much rolling countryside – so much livestock, so many fields of wheat, corn, and root vegetables. Farming is an important and protected part of the French culture.

I met a gentleman in Paris who had done some travel, but not to Canada. He asks me about the language, and how we get along – the English and the French. I tell him that there are many cultures in Canada and much like brothers and sisters, even if we don’t always agree, we always show up at the dinner table.