France, mon amour?!
“France, mon amour?!” – A Little Odyssey with Big Impact
Start: Frankfurt – Destination: France
Why? Good question. Maybe because we thought a bit of French flair would do us good. A baguette under the arm, the Loire in sight – the idea was beautiful. Reality? A bit… more nuanced.
Besançon
First stop. Or rather: first misstep. Sounds charming, offers very little. If you’re looking for the feeling of having taken a wrong turn somewhere, this is the place. No atmosphere, nothing of interest – a town to drive through without hesitation. Recommendation: don’t bother unpacking.
Marseille
Sounds like Côte d’Azur and wanderlust. In truth, Marseille is… special. There are beautiful corners – the old port, Notre-Dame de la Garde – but you have to look for them. In between: lots of trash, concrete, and a strong North African influence in the streets that overpowers any classic French feeling. If you’re looking for Mediterranean ease, you’ll find Mediterranean chaos instead.
Carcassonne
A medieval gem – and it shows. The massive fortress is impressive, photogenic, and steeped in history. Two days are plenty unless you’re really into counting battlements and towers. Crowded during the day, pleasantly quiet at night. All in all: worth seeing once, but not a place to linger.
Bordeaux
Some names create high expectations – Bordeaux is one of them. Wine, charm, French savoir-vivre – that’s what we hoped for. What we found: dirt, a rather bleak cityscape, and not much to get excited about. For a city with such a reputation: disappointing.
La Rochelle (day trip)
An unexpected highlight – unfortunately just a short visit. Clean streets, a beautiful old town, a lively harbor, and true charm. La Rochelle feels like someone actually took care of it – restored, cleaned up, and added a good mood on top. We really should have stayed longer. Note to self: next time, start the trip here.
Amboise
A pleasant stop with more charm than expected. The château towers above the town, and Leonardo da Vinci once lived here – not by accident. Quiet, beautifully situated, with a touch of history and that elusive Loire magic.
But the real treasure: Amboise is the perfect base for a château-hopping tour. The surrounding region is dotted with stunning estates: Château de Chenonceau, Château de Chambord, Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire – all worth visiting, each with more turrets than a Disney movie. Perfect for architecture fans and history lovers alike.
Blois
Just down the river from Amboise – and another pleasant surprise. The old town is charming, lively, and well maintained. The Château de Blois is a masterpiece of architecture, showcasing styles from four different centuries. It tells a story of power, grandeur, and self-importance – in the best way possible. Add to that some inviting restaurants, a friendly atmosphere, and a hint of the French lightness we came looking for. Recommended: stay a little longer.
Nancy
The final larger stop – and a rather nice one. Nancy has style, history, and the Place Stanislas, which can easily rival any Parisian boulevard. It’s not spotless, but much cleaner and more pleasant than many places on this trip. In short: a solid, classic French conclusion.
France in General – A Mid-Trip Reflection
France showed us many faces – and often not its best. The country appears economically strained. More beggars than in Germany, many streets in poor condition, and people who look worn down by life. That famous savoir-vivre? A rare sight.
Positives: very few tourists – which made for a quiet, relaxed trip.
Negatives: If you want to eat spontaneously, good luck. Many restaurants close around 2 PM and don’t reopen until 7 PM – and without a reservation, you’re often left hungry.
Conclusion
This trip was a mixed bag: from disappointing to delightful, from filthy to picture-perfect. With humor, realistic expectations, and a bit of resilience, it becomes a worthwhile adventure. But if it’s pure relaxation you’re after – just go straight to La Rochelle. Or maybe stay by the Rhine.
