Ageless & Alive

Voyager c’est decouvrie que tout le monde se trompe sur les autres pays – Aldous Huxley

( To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries – Aldous Huxley )

One cannot judge a book by its cover. A book has so much more in its pages, in its every line and in between the lines as well, which together make for a complete reading experience. So goes with a country. One cannot realize the true nature, the character of a country based on some flashy postcards, catchy fridge magnets or by visiting just a handful of tourist attractions. A lot lies in the hubbub of its towns and cities, in the quietude of villages and the countryside, in the gushing rivers that nourish it, in the macho mountains that stand tall with pride, in the green cover of the forests, in the skies that keep changing their mood, in historic remains that speak silently about ages gone by, in the aromas wafting through the alleys, in the museums & monuments that bask in the glory of past and last yet most important, in the people who call it their home!

I believe that it is this urge to savour the true flavours of France that millions of international tourists beeline making it the most favoured destination in the world.

But why France?…

Whether you love art or adventure, outdoor or indoor, history or science & technology, mountains or seas, name it and you have it here to explore and enjoy.

France is a 365 days a year destination.

How?…

France had its fair share of glory and gloom right from the palaeolithic age. The caves at Lascaux which are about 18,000 to 20,000 years old stand the testimony of it. Traversing through the annals of history from that period till date, one can see the fine prints of the impressions, in chronological order, made by the Gauls (the Celtic Tribe), The Romans, the rise and fall of decentralized feudal kingdoms, dynastic conflicts, religious civil wars, inadequate but absolute monarchy of the classical age under Louis XIV, French revolution, reign of shrewd-ambitious Napoleon Bonaparte, subsequent tryst to establish the complete democratic nation and finally the two world wars. All these experiences precipitated and distilled through the centuries, have culminated in the unique and fine French culture, traditions that we know of today.

Add to this, the bounty of nature! France wakes up to the susurration of the North Sea, the English Channel, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea on four of its sides every day. The Alps, the Pyrenees, the Jura, The Massif Central, and the Corsica ranges hand France an iconic handsome look.  The Loir, Rhone, Dordogne, Seine, and Garonne burble the region to not just give the sonorous company but to flourish it as well.  About 27 national forests gift it a ‘sui generis’ fingerprint of biodiversity. Its geographical position graces it with cool winters and mild summers in the North and mild winters and hot summers in the South.

All these compelling factors combine to give you a delectable platter of destinations, that is “Ageless and Alive”, to suit the need of the hour and your appetite for exploration whether spring, summer, autumn or winter.

So what’s “L’Hexagone”? (the hexagon)

Check the shape of France on the face of the world map and you will know the answer!

Let’s begin our expedition, “Explore L’Hexagone”.

Vous etes pret?

(Are you ready?)

This post is the part of #blogchattera2z challenge 2022

Click here for posts so far in the “Exploring l’Hexagone” series