A child's map I found the other day in a French children's newspaper called, "La Journal Rose" it was dated 1901.
Do you know that France is made up of regions? Each region has its specialty and they are not to be confused with other regions. For example, Crepes are from the region of Brittany, though they are served all over France. But if you are in Rennes you might want to have a crepe, or a galette (Crepes are only served with sugary fillings, and galettes are served with salty fillings. Hence a Crepe is never served with spinach and cheese.) In Brittany, you also need to wear a striped tee-shirt.
My French Husband is from Brittany, he is my informant. Oh, I nearly forgot, you must drink Hard Cider in a red stripped cup when eating galettes too. If you don't like butter don't go to Brittany.
But the map above is of Marseille I got off track.
Marseille in a nutshell…
The Fort of Saint Jean
(Though not necessarily in that order)
Cannes, Nice, St Raphael, St. Tropez those seaside towns conjure up images of reclusive beaches and the playground of the rich and famous. Though with the arrival of the autoroute de Soleil the freeway back in 1951 those towns become the number one retirement spot for the elderly, as well as a summer destination for many.
Now the rich and famous hang out on their yachts parading along the coastline. When they do come into shore along St. Tropez it isn't uncommon to see a bunch of young starlets jump from their small "taxi" boats to the shore in their mink bikinis. When they arrive on shore it is customary to spray them with champagne.
So in case, you decide to come to shore on St. Tropez in your mink bikini or otherwise you stand forewarned to bring an umbrella or a hunk-of-burning-love to stand in front of you.
The French Riviera (short film)
Provence. If ever you want to taste the south of France read Peter Mayle's
Photo by French Husband: Chelsea and I dancing on the bridge of Avignon
Dreamy blue skies. A river runs through it. Paradise of fruits and antiques being one of them.
We moved to the south of France from Paris when our daughter was three months old.
I read Peter Mayle's book then used it as a guide to Provence.
Every place he mentioned in his "A Year in Provence" we went to visit.
Because of that, I discovered the world of antiques in Provence. Thank you, Peter Mayle, for mentioning Isle sur la Sorgue.
France become a whole lot better after that little discovery. I found my map to being very happy in France. Not that I wasn't happy being a wife and mother. It is that the BROCANTE added a roadmap to finding my footing. I discovered a place of extracurricular activity, an outlet for creating a business for myself in France through antiques.
Chelsea (my daughter over 28 years ago.) in Avignon. Chelsea called me "Maman" which is Mommy in English. Since I didn't respond to being called Maman, she called me Corey. It stayed that way until she was four. I kinda liked it then though now I call myself Mommy. I am weird like that.
Oops, I got off track again I think I have always been off track it makes for one helluva adventure. I think I'll stay this way.
Where does your roadmap take you these days?
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