Happy 2012 friends and readers. Since we spent most of our holiday indulging in many of the things that make France so special (mainly food, drink, & more food) I thought it would be fun to start off the new year with a list of a few things I find totally awesome about France.
Please note: of course there are many quirky & downright irksome things about la belle France (namely, anything having to do with the subjunctive tense), but I’ll save those for another, less-festive post.
Alors, here are 20 of my favorite things about my adopted home:
-Strangers who say « Bon appétit » as they pass your sidewalk table.
-Visiting Provençal villages in the springtime.
-Toddlers speaking French (TCFW, too cute for words).
-The cheese aisle at the supermarket.
-The flower market at Vieux Nice.
-Do-It-Yourself wine touring.
-Passing pastry windows that look like works of art.
-Eating pastries that look like works of art.
-Regional food festivals.
-Social services.
-Traveling on the TGV (*first-class if possible).
-Cours Mirabeau at Aix-en-Provence.
-Sunny days in Paris.
-Calling your mother-in-law belle mere.
-Eating a big bowl of Soup au Pistou in the fall/winter.
-Drinking a big glass of rosé, port-side, in the summer.
-The Calanques at Cassis.
-Growing old gracefully.
-Caramel beurre salé anything.
There are loads of totally awesome things missing from this list – please feel free to add a few of your own & bonne année a tous!
Belle Provence Travels 
Happy New Year Tuula! That’s a good list! I can’t speak to social services but the rest looks pretty good! I hope you have a fabulous 2012.
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Thanks Michel, there’s so much to love about France, glad you liked my list 🙂 Happy New Year to you!
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Bonne Annee! I am studying french and someday would love to be there. Your experiences will help me know the country. thanks. My blog – http://www.thehourssofar.blogspot.com
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Thanks for stopping by, much luck with your French studies!
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Too true Jenny…how could we forget champagne, especially ’round this time of year 🙂 Hope your 2012 is off to a great start, bonne annèe!
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Tuula – You are so right about everything on this list! Each brought a smile to my face. With the exception of just a few, like the belle mere ;), I have my own great memories of almost all on your list, and they would be included on my list, too. This inspires me to start saying “bon appetit” as I pass by diners here in CA. Happy 2012 to you, too!
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Thanks Kathy, really happy you liked the list – I imagine we love many of the same things about France 🙂 And also because about half of the things have to do with food! So I too say “bon appetit” to you in 2012… can’t wait to read about all of your new food adventures. Bonne année!
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I agree! I agree! Toddlers speaking French are waaaaaay too cute!! Time to get my kids in French class!! (Next year, she’ll start her French Immersion Program with the Toronto District School Board. woo-hoo!
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So happy you agree Jen, thought maybe I was the only one, lol – those French kids are so cute, can’t get over it! How awesome that you’ve got a French immersion program… your daughter will be totally adorable speaking French, how fun!!
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This is making me nostalgic for France… I love love those tins. I have 2 posters framed of the same vintage!
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Totally agree, those tins are too fun – I need to buy a few of those posters myself… so hard to choose though, I love them all! Many merci’s for your comment Corinne!
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Many thanks for your comment – glad to bring a bit of France to you in Australia 🙂 I can imagine that you miss it very much! But also sounds like you’re having a very fun life yourself, so much traveling is wonderful 🙂 Will be sure to have a look at your blog… & Salut from Provence!
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Couldn’t agree more… dreamy! I must add: moules frites, socca, fruit, aperitifs, four hour lunch.
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Ohh, those are all great additions…you’re right, looks like I missed a few…especially those 4 hour lunches, I think that one should go to the top of the list 🙂
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