FRANCE on Your Own Newsletter

Winter 2012 VOL. 16 NO. 1 Now in our 16th year. . .

	The Independent Traveler's Newsletter

Winter 2012
VOL. 16 NO. 1

Now in our 16th year. . .

The Independent Traveler's Newsletter

This newsletter is viewed best on a large screen and is not formatted for printing.

Did you know these facts about France?

IN THIS ISSUE:

. . . facts about France?

Paris Enigmas

Ici et Là
~ read about Montpellier,
The New York Times pick
to visit in France in 2012

Château de Chantilly
~ An Exceptional
Crème-de-la-Crème Multi-Purpose
Site near Paris
by Arthur Gillette

Saison de Chasse - Hunting Sanglier
in the Var
by Andrew Buchanan

Landes Forest, Aquitaine. Photo: Wikipedia
France's Landes Pine Forest in Aquitaine

The Thinker returns to
Stanford University

Vaison la Romaine: France's Pompeii
by Arthur Gillette

Featuring: A Pictorial Tour of Winter
2012 in France

Notes from Narbonne
~ La Vie en Rose despite La Crise
by Marlane O'Neill

"Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe." - Anatole France

Europe is a very diverse region of the world with so many cultures - and for travelers they are all conveniently close to one another. But France, in our opinion, is quite special.

France (not quite as big in area as the state of Texas) is the largest country in Western Europe and can lay claim to some other 'big' tourist attractions such as Europe's largest pine forest - the Landes Forest in Aquitaine - and along its edge the Dune du Pilat, at 107 meters Europe's highest sand dune. It stretches north to south 3 kilometers along the Atlantic Côte d'Argent and east to west 500 meters! France's Mont Blanc, 15,782 feet high and bordering Italy, is the highest mountain in Western Europe, the European Union and the Alps. With several mountain ranges, dormant volcanoes, over one hundred nineteen rivers and many more tributaries, the French landscape is one of amazing variety. France hosts more tourists annually (76.8 million in 2010) than any country in the world - followed by the US, a distant second at 59.75 million - a distinction France maintains year after year.

Mont Blanc South Face. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

Dune du Pilat - Photo courtesy Wikipedia

Mont Blanc South Face Dune du Pilat

What helps tourists to get around in France? Well, we love Paris' easy-to-use Métro system; and the SNCF, France's national railway, owns the world's largest fleet of trains - most of which are TGVs - those high-speed, silky-smooth trains that get you almost anywhere in France in 1, 2 or 3 hours. And, who makes them? Alstom, the world's largest train manufacturer, is a French company. Another transportation mainstay of the French economy and a leading employer is its automobile industry, second in Europe only to Germany. Speaking of Paris, it is the largest city in Western Europe in area, and without a doubt the most romantic city in the world!

One thing we all notice as we fly over France is farmland. Hundreds of thousands of acres of farms can be seen forming that familiar green and tan quilted pattern - meticulously laid out and tended farms that contribute so much to the needs of Europe and the world. France has 48.2 million acres devoted to agriculture - the most in Western Europe - and it is the world's second largest exporter of food (after the US) owing to its mild climate and fertile land.

We mustn't forget the wine, a staple in France both on the table at mealtimes and as a major export. In 2010 France was the top wine producing country in the world. And you can't discuss France without mentioning its cheese! France has, it is said, between 400 and 500 different cheeses, more types of cheese than any country in the world. And, what wonderful cheeses they are!

Despite all these interesting facts about France, most of us do not travel there because of statistics. We crave France's excellent cuisine, and as we all know, the French have made an art of dining. Nature beckons, too. The country simply has the most beautiful scenery from green valleys to rugged mountains and 5500 kilometers of coastline along the Channel, the Atlantic and the Mediterranean - half of which remains wild and pristine. Those who love history and architecture will not be disappointed ~ there are the extremely well-preserved historic sites from Roman ruins and antiquities to soaring Gothic cathedrals and a variety of styles and periods from Medieval fortresses to 18th and 19th century elegant manoirs. Finally, what most of us who visit France come to appreciate is the unique lifestyle of the French: strong in its traditions and adhering to simple everyday routines such as walking to the market, enjoying a leisurely lunch, and valuing and preserving life in the small villages that dot the countryside. Is it any wonder that we are all fascinated by France and eager to return?

Look inside. . . with a click

> to learn exactly what is involved in the seasonal wild boar hunt in Provence ~ Saison de Chasse: Hunting Sanglier in the Var

> as a colder-than-normal winter blankets much of Europe. Take a pictorial journey with us to two départements of France - the Savoie and Var - to see winter's beauty.

> to accompany Arthur Gillette to the lovely hill village of Vaison la Romaine - France's Pompeii - in the Vaucluse of Provence.

> and you'll see that The New York Times chose Montpellier, France as one of its top 45 tourist destinations for 2012!

> to enjoy a brief but fascinating visit to Château de Chantilly just northeast of Paris with Arthur Gillette.

> for the story of The Thinker's return to Stanford after two years on loan to the North Carolina Museum of Art.

> where Marlane O'Neill shares with us the town's projects and a visit to a local wine producer in her Notes from Narbonne.

PARIS ENIGMAS . . . A Quiz on Your Knowledge of Historic Paris
by Arthur Gillette

Question from the last issue: At the Conciergerie Palace on Ile de la Cité, the oldest (ca. 1250 A. D.) tower is known as Tour Bon Bec (Good Beak Tower). Why that name?

Answer: People tend to associate bon bec with bec fin, i.e. consuming magnificent gastronomy. In fact, there have been law courts in or near the Conciergerie for centuries. In the Middle Ages the accused were tortured in this tower, and passersby could hear their screams - whence 'good beak'. [Editor's note: judges and magistrates in England were called 'beaks' for their long noses in everyone else's business. Or the term may derive from Old French beccus or beck for constable and thence any authority figure.]

Our new question: When the Paris Métro began at the end of the 19th century, the private company in charge decided that the entrances should have distinctive street-level architecture and organized a project competition. The commission went to Art Nouveau architect Hector Guimard, and many of his entrances are still there for us to enjoy today. Guimard, however, had not entered the competition. How then did he get the job?

Contact Arthur Gillette to take advantage of his amazing knowledge of Paris
by enjoying one or more of his Paris Through the Ages Strolls.
Visit our Marketplace page for a complete list of strolls and information about Arthur.
Email: arthurlgillette@gmail.com

[See the answer to this edition's question revealed in our Spring 2012 issue.]

SPONSORING THIS ISSUE

Exclusive French Château Note Cards, perfect for sending personal notes or thank you
messages, are available for purchase. A set of folded cards of twelve pen and ink drawings
with envelopes can be yours. They make very thoughtful gifts for that Francophile in your life.
Just click on the above cards to access the order form - you can order with a credit card online.
Or send inquiries to publisher@franceonyourown.com.

next page

©1998-2012 Cold Spring Press All Rights Reserved
Recommendations are not a guarantee of satisfaction and are made only
to assist travelers with suggestions and web sites that we have found very useful.

		Did you know these facts about France?
IN THIS ISSUE: . . . facts about France? Paris Enigmas Ici et Là ~ read about Montpellier, The New York Times pick to visit in France in 2012 Château de Chantilly ~ An Exceptional Crème-de-la-Crème Multi-Purpose Site near Paris by Arthur Gillette Saison de Chasse - Hunting Sanglier in the Var by Andrew Buchanan France's Landes Pine Forest in Aquitaine The Thinker returns to Stanford University Vaison la Romaine: France's Pompeii by Arthur Gillette Featuring: A Pictorial Tour of Winter 2012 in France Notes from Narbonne ~ La Vie en Rose despite La Crise by Marlane O'Neill		"Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe." - Anatole France Europe is a very diverse region of the world with so many cultures - and for travelers they are all conveniently close to one another. But France, in our opinion, is quite special. France (not quite as big in area as the state of Texas) is the largest country in Western Europe and can lay claim to some other 'big' tourist attractions such as Europe's largest pine forest - the Landes Forest in Aquitaine - and along its edge the Dune du Pilat, at 107 meters Europe's highest sand dune. It stretches north to south 3 kilometers along the Atlantic Côte d'Argent and east to west 500 meters! France's Mont Blanc, 15,782 feet high and bordering Italy, is the highest mountain in Western Europe, the European Union and the Alps. With several mountain ranges, dormant volcanoes, over one hundred nineteen rivers and many more tributaries, the French landscape is one of amazing variety. France hosts more tourists annually (76.8 million in 2010) than any country in the world - followed by the US, a distant second at 59.75 million - a distinction France maintains year after year. Mont Blanc South Face Dune du Pilat What helps tourists to get around in France? Well, we love Paris' easy-to-use Métro system; and the SNCF, France's national railway, owns the world's largest fleet of trains - most of which are TGVs - those high-speed, silky-smooth trains that get you almost anywhere in France in 1, 2 or 3 hours. And, who makes them? Alstom, the world's largest train manufacturer, is a French company. Another transportation mainstay of the French economy and a leading employer is its automobile industry, second in Europe only to Germany. Speaking of Paris, it is the largest city in Western Europe in area, and without a doubt the most romantic city in the world! One thing we all notice as we fly over France is farmland. Hundreds of thousands of acres of farms can be seen forming that familiar green and tan quilted pattern - meticulously laid out and tended farms that contribute so much to the needs of Europe and the world. France has 48.2 million acres devoted to agriculture - the most in Western Europe - and it is the world's second largest exporter of food (after the US) owing to its mild climate and fertile land. We mustn't forget the wine, a staple in France both on the table at mealtimes and as a major export. In 2010 France was the top wine producing country in the world. And you can't discuss France without mentioning its cheese! France has, it is said, between 400 and 500 different cheeses, more types of cheese than any country in the world. And, what wonderful cheeses they are! Despite all these interesting facts about France, most of us do not travel there because of statistics. We crave France's excellent cuisine, and as we all know, the French have made an art of dining. Nature beckons, too. The country simply has the most beautiful scenery from green valleys to rugged mountains and 5500 kilometers of coastline along the Channel, the Atlantic and the Mediterranean - half of which remains wild and pristine. Those who love history and architecture will not be disappointed ~ there are the extremely well-preserved historic sites from Roman ruins and antiquities to soaring Gothic cathedrals and a variety of styles and periods from Medieval fortresses to 18th and 19th century elegant manoirs. Finally, what most of us who visit France come to appreciate is the unique lifestyle of the French: strong in its traditions and adhering to simple everyday routines such as walking to the market, enjoying a leisurely lunch, and valuing and preserving life in the small villages that dot the countryside. Is it any wonder that we are all fascinated by France and eager to return?

Look inside. . . with a click > to learn exactly what is involved in the seasonal wild boar hunt in Provence ~ Saison de Chasse: Hunting Sanglier in the Var ~ > as a colder-than-normal winter blankets much of Europe. Take a pictorial journey with us to two départements of France - the Savoie and Var - to see winter's beauty. ~ > to accompany Arthur Gillette to the lovely hill village of Vaison la Romaine - France's Pompeii - in the Vaucluse of Provence. ~ > and you'll see that The New York Times chose Montpellier, France as one of its top 45 tourist destinations for 2012! ~ > to enjoy a brief but fascinating visit to Château de Chantilly just northeast of Paris with Arthur Gillette. ~ > for the story of The Thinker's return to Stanford after two years on loan to the North Carolina Museum of Art. ~ > where Marlane O'Neill shares with us the town's projects and a visit to a local wine producer in her Notes from Narbonne.		PARIS ENIGMAS . . . A Quiz on Your Knowledge of Historic Paris by Arthur Gillette Question from the last issue: At the Conciergerie Palace on Ile de la Cité, the oldest (ca. 1250 A. D.) tower is known as Tour Bon Bec (Good Beak Tower). Why that name? Answer: People tend to associate bon bec with bec fin, i.e. consuming magnificent gastronomy. In fact, there have been law courts in or near the Conciergerie for centuries. In the Middle Ages the accused were tortured in this tower, and passersby could hear their screams - whence 'good beak'. [Editor's note: judges and magistrates in England were called 'beaks' for their long noses in everyone else's business. Or the term may derive from Old French beccus or beck for constable and thence any authority figure.] Our new question: When the Paris Métro began at the end of the 19th century, the private company in charge decided that the entrances should have distinctive street-level architecture and organized a project competition. The commission went to Art Nouveau architect Hector Guimard, and many of his entrances are still there for us to enjoy today. Guimard, however, had not entered the competition. How then did he get the job? Contact Arthur Gillette to take advantage of his amazing knowledge of Paris by enjoying one or more of his Paris Through the Ages Strolls. Visit our Marketplace page for a complete list of strolls and information about Arthur. Email: arthurlgillette@gmail.com [See the answer to this edition's question revealed in our Spring 2012 issue.] SPONSORING THIS ISSUE Exclusive French Château Note Cards, perfect for sending personal notes or thank you messages, are available for purchase. A set of folded cards of twelve pen and ink drawings with envelopes can be yours. They make very thoughtful gifts for that Francophile in your life. Just click on the above cards to access the order form - you can order with a credit card online. Or send inquiries to publisher@franceonyourown.com. next page ©1998-2012 Cold Spring Press All Rights Reserved Recommendations are not a guarantee of satisfaction and are made only to assist travelers with suggestions and web sites that we have found very useful.