Why I love France!!!

I am often ask why I like France?  To me the answer is easy, what is there not to like about France?  For those who know me you know that I have a love affair with France in general and Paris in particular.  I go to Paris once a year.  In the last 18 months I have been fortunate to have been able to go every 6 months.  Each time I go, I spend time in Paris and discover a new region.  To date I have never been disappointed.

How can you not like a country that offers up a tart like this for dessert?  To think that you can walk into a patisserie and have this as one of your choices.  This is both a work of art and a culinary treat.  I am not sure what entices me more the sweetness or freshness of the fruit.  

 One has to like a country where even the children have style.  How adorable is this girl with her pink beret.  The children are with their school group.  They were in the park playing before I snapped the shot.  These two realized that I was taking their photo and they flashed me the perfect smile. 

 The French and their outdoor cafes.  They are everywhere.  Winter, summer, spring and fall, rain or sunshine, the French are always up for a cafe at an outdoor cafe.  They are always packed.  I love how sitting at a cafe is just part of their culture.  I have always said I am going to spend an afternoon at a cafe, enjoying a drink and writing.  For me it has never happened.  I admire them from afar.  It seems there is always something else to see, something else to do.

The French have such an appreciation and respect for their art.  Their art is a natural heritage and they take care of it.  I was in a museum recently and commented to the coat check man that I missed an exhibit.  He told me to come with him and quite proudly showed me the exhibit.  I love how art is part of the children's education.  You see parents with their children, sketchbooks in hand with pencils and crayons at museums.  This teacher was amazing.  He was so enthusiastic about the painting.  It showed the children were all engrossed in his talk.

 I adore how the French love their window displays.  Each window is a work of art.  Whatever the French do they do with pride and passion.

 The food is a reason alone to go to France.  The only country that compares with the food is Italy.  Dining out is always an awakening of the tastebuds.  This is a foie gras appetizer with artichoke in the bottom.

 The French love their flowers more than any other group of people I know.  These were roses for sale at a market in the middle of winter.  The French have flowers everywhere, in boxes on bridges, in stores, and outside their homes.  They have some of the most beautiful floral arrangements I have ever seen.

 How can you not love a country that loves it's dogs.  Dogs are everywhere in French.  They go to the market, the parks and out for dinner.  Thankfully their is no health department that says "pas de chien a la marche)  The French adore their dogs...and yes you strange people who put your dogs in a carrier and wheel them everywhere their dogs get to walk.  This dog was out shopping with his mistress at the market on a Sunday morning.

I will always adore a country that has tea shops everywhere with pastries like this.  To think I sat down on a Friday afternoon and enjoyed this pastry.  Better yet the tea shop was packed with others like me just stopping to enjoy a cup and a pastry.

The bread.  No-one makes bread like the French.  I am not a huge bread person when I am home, but when I am there I devour it like it is the last loaf I will ever taste.

And these are just some of the reasons I love France.  Seriously I appreciate the fact that the French have pride.  It is really the little things in life.  When you make a purchase they walk around the counter and hand it to you.  They ask you if it is a gift and it is wrapped.  They have style.  You do not see sloppiness in the way they dress.  Plastic surgery, oversized breasts and pumped out lips have not made their way to France.  The women are natural.  A little make-up but tastefully applied.  They love their food and appreciate it.  Every neighborhood has a market.  The produce is fresh and lovely.  Unfortunately you are starting to see more pre-made meals and items in the grocery stores but there are very high food standards in France.  Even bread is regulated.  For the most part the ingredients are natural.  I like that when I walk into a store the madame acknowledges me and says bonjour.  I like that the French have a strong sense of family and respect their elders.  I adore that the parks are always full of people, couples strolling, parents playing with their children, friends sitting down and chatting and people just bringing a book and sitting down and reading.

Dreaming of France is hosted by Paulita at An Accidental Blog.