Voyager – cela vous laisse sans voix, puis vous transformer en conteur – Ibn Battuta
(Traveling- it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller – Ibn Battuta)
I am sure you will agree with the great explorer Ibn Battuta. I am no exception here. Having lived a nomadic life for the last two decades plus some years, my thirst for travel and exploration is as fresh and strong as it was right at the beginning! It’s that bottomless pit that I wish never gets ever filled, yet I do everything in my ability to fill it up with loads of memories and impressions from various journeys that I undertake.
About two years back I landed in Lyon, France. France as we all know is a country bestowed with abundant natural beauty and boasts of rich cultural heritage. It’s here that modern and ancient coexist and flourish. As a global centre of fashion, art, cuisine, wine, cheese, etc to name a few, it is the country of charm and class both! No wonder then it’s the favoured destination for domestic as well as international travellers.
If you talk to someone about France or think about this country, the first thing to pop in mind is undoubted “Paris”. Andrew Hepburn once famously said, “Paris is always a good idea”. There is no denying the fact that Paris is Paris! However, France is not just Paris. It is much more than just one city. I realized it well in my early days at Lyon, even before tying the laces of my walking shoes and stepping out for some journey outside Lyon!
This April in my 4th outing* of ‘AtoZ Challenge’, I wish to take you on the tour of the ‘other France’, the France that is talked about less, the France that exists, dwells, prospers in its nooks and corners while passionately preserving its cultural and historical heritage; cities, towns, and communes that ooze with elegance, deep roots, and rustic charm. Come and join me as I take you on a whirlwind journey of France, beyond Paris, a country which the proud French fondly call, “L’Hexagone” (“the hexagon”).
‘L’Hexagon’…Whats that?
26 days and 8 cities… are you ready?
On y va…
(Let’s go!)
Check this short video to quench your curiosity about this journey.
7 Comments
A Rustic Mind · March 24, 2022 at 8:47 pm
I liked that you’re gonna focus on the other cities of France. As a travel lover, I’d like to learn and go beyond Paris too. Looking forward to learning about the 8 cities and how you’ll be helping us know more about them 👍🏻
Swarnali Nath · March 24, 2022 at 9:04 pm
Hi Anagha! My experience from your stack of stories are still fresh, and I can even remember few ones. What a collection it was! I was even waiting for a book from you. Looking forward to read this year’s too. Best wishes. Here is mine if you wish to have a look:
https://thesaffronstoryteller.com/2022/03/16/theme-reveal-post-for-a-to-z-blogging-challenge-2022-the-biggest-blogging-challenge-of-the-year/
Deepti Menon · March 24, 2022 at 6:14 pm
Anagha, I cannot wait to read about the less known places in France! All the very best for an amazing challenge!
Priyanka (aka 'Pri') · March 24, 2022 at 6:30 pm
Hell yeaah…I’m all geared up for the virtual journey through L’hexagone. 😀
Your posts never cease to charm. Looking forward to reading you.
Archana Chopde · March 25, 2022 at 4:54 am
Hi Anagha! I an already down counting for your next write up. It’s feels so nice to read you. I am not a person of words. But I mean what I say.
Esha · March 25, 2022 at 6:06 am
Wow!! All the best for the A2Z Challenge! I’d love to read about the lesser known places in France from you. Can’t wait to see the photos as well.
Best wishes, Anagha. I know you’ll ace it. 🙂
Brinda · March 26, 2022 at 12:40 pm
I loved France though I did only the touristy places! No time to explore the country, so I’m looking forward to seeing your posts…