God created the countryside, and man built the cities
M: Do you think a wonderful trip to France must be in Paris? I ask you this because a few days ago, when chatting with a French friend, he felt it was a pity that many people only think of Paris when they talk about going to France!
L: Of course. It’s hard not to pass by. We all get off the plane at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport! Haha, just kidding. But indeed, when most of us mention France, we can’t help but think of Paris.
M: Well, I understand. Actually, many people think so. However, what I want to say is that France is not just about Paris; there are many romantic gems scattered all over the country. If you want to find these places, you have to take a path that no one has ever taken to explore: the French countryside!
L: Understood. The French countryside is truly breathtakingly beautiful. Perhaps because Paris is so famous, we often tend to overlook the countryside. When I was reading Maupassant’s “A Life”, I found that he used a great deal of ink to describe the beauty of the countryside in meticulous detail: “A little Daisy nestled among the thickets of grass, a ray of sunlight filtering through the thick leaves…” All of them moved her.”
M: Yes, the French countryside is just like what Maupassant described, a peaceful and idyllic scene that makes us want to pick up our pens and paint, reminding us to cherish the present. Its low-key and serene charm, as well as its simple and unadorned beauty, has inspired and continues to inspire many artists. Just as this famous saying goes, “God created the countryside, and man built the cities.”
L: Speaking of this, why don’t we spontaneously recommend a rural tour route in France?
M: Good idea! If it were me, I would start my rural tour in France from Brittany first. Here are all kinds of independent small villages, as if frozen in time and space. The thatched cottages, the small churches, the granite cathedrals, the patches of clearing in the forest, the stone sheds (stone table tombs), and the rough stone pillars left over from prehistoric times add a touch of mystery to this place. The thin fog and drizzle have once again filled this place with a sentimental atmosphere… I like the villages of Brittare because they still retain their original and simple appearance. So, where do you want to go next?
L: Then let’s go to the Loire Valley region. There are many white houses built with limestone here. The royal castles can be seen casually. The open-air concerts on the grass by the river make this land even more elegant. By the way, what’s more surprising is that many beautiful houses along the riverbank have been transformed into artist studios. You can go in and have a look around. If the weather is fine, it’s best to prepare your food, take a walk by the river, sit on the grass, enjoy the scenery and have a picnic. I’m really at a loss for words and can’t describe it well. Let’s just look at the pictures.
M: Great! I like these photos. The Loire Valley is just so beautiful. Next, I will choose to go to the Indre-et-Loire area, where I was born. To be honest, this place is definitely one of the most beautiful villages in France. Drive there and then walk along those mountain paths, and all kinds of pleasing buildings will come into view. I particularly recommend the two villages of Candes Saint Martin and Montresor (which means “my treasure” in French. It’s truly worthy of its name). Of course, there are also large areas of woods, medieval castles submerged deep in the woods, and large clearing in the woods. The vineyards and goat cheeses in this area are very famous, so we can also take a wine and cheese tasting trip.
L: For those friends who truly want to explore the French countryside, I’d like to add a little: Most of the time, you may walk for a long time without seeing a single person. But if you run into an old man or woman on a country road, don’t hesitate to smile at them. You will find that they are mostly very friendly. If you chat with them for a few more words, you will discover how proud they are of the land beneath their feet. If you have the chance, you can visit the fruit and vegetable market on Saturday morning and the second-hand grocery market on Sunday morning. You can also bargain with them. Although they are some insignificant little things, they are all opportunities to understand the life of the French.
M: Exactly. If I have time, I will also specially go to farmers’ houses to buy fruits and vegetables and pick them in the fields myself. Contact with the land made me feel rejuvenated. Every time I go back, I like to stay in the countryside for a few days, away from the hustle and bustle of the city and breathing the fresh air of the countryside. Where shall we go next?
L: Go to the area around the small town of Annecy. It was so beautiful there that I couldn’t describe it with my meager language. You can rent a bicycle from the Annecy City Hall and then ride along Lake Annecy all the way to the countryside. Don’t worry about getting lost. Just keep riding. The scenery along the way is like a postcard. There are colorful fields, and you may also come across herds of cows with bells around their necks. As they move, they jingle and play beautiful pastoral songs. If you are lucky, you will also come across a restaurant with the most beautiful scenery in the universe.
M: Then let’s continue our journey south for the next stop, to the beautiful Midi-Pyrenees region. The countryside there is scorching hot and wild. Unlike the nearby Cote d ‘Azur, which is overcrowded, there are few tourists here. Some hiking trails are very difficult to walk on because the locals are determined to preserve the original ecological environment. I suggest driving there along the winding roads of Aveyron, Lot and Tarn-et-Garonne, where there are many amazing small villages along the way. Among them, my favorite village is Cordes-sur-ciel. It is located on a small mountain top and can only be reached on foot. It seems to have been forgotten by time.
L: Finally, chasing the sun all the way south, I highly recommend Cassis, a small town just a 20-minute train ride from Marseille. After arriving here, transfer to a bus and then walk to Haiwan District. You will never get tired of walking along the cliff edge here for a whole day; instead, you will be amazed time and again.
M: Alright, this itinerary is of course just a small route among the many rural Tours in France. If you want to follow this route, you need to have enough time. You can choose to drive or take the train as your means of transportation. The advantage of taking a train is that you can enjoy the scenery along the way with ease. If your budget is limited, you can also choose carpooling. The carpooling system in France is very well-developed. Choosing carpooling not only saves money but also allows you to make friends. So, dear friends, next time you plan to travel to the country of red wine and cheese, promise me that you won’t miss the beautiful French countryside again!