France is a country of great diversity in its people, its geography, its culture and its food -- there are 400 different cheeses alone! The wines are world renowned and very drinkable ones can be found for just a few euros in the supermarkets, or you can purchase wines from local vineyards and distributors. There are cosmopolitan cities like Paris, smaller but picturesque towns such as Mayenne and Laval, and lovely sleepy villages like the one where our retreat is held. There are two distinctly different coastlines as well as areas of France that share cultural influences with Italy, Spain, and Germany. There is a rich sense of history here, as well as modern art and architecture that blends new with old, giving a sense of vitality to any French experience.

The average temperature for July is a pleasant 19 to 20C/66 to 69F in the Mayenne region and 19C/75F in Paris. The currency of France is the Euro. They switched from the Franc in 2004. If you are coming from outside the euro zone, the easiest way to change money is with a bankcard. The easiest way to purchase items and get a good current exchange rate is with a chargecard.

Gas/petrol is sold in liters (and American visitors will find it costs quite a bit more than in the U.S.). Cars are small and economical, and hotel rooms are also often designed to maximize space!  Bed and Breakfast accommodations can be more spacious (U.S. women may want to bring a washcloth, since they are not provided). Public bathrooms can be an adventure, and don’t be surprised to find they are unisex in some places. The coffee is as good as the wine, and both go well with the fabulous chocolate -- and did we mention the cakes and pastries?!. While we are on the subject of food, France is of course viewed by many as the gastronomic capital of the world. The produce has wonderful flavor, plus it is good value for money. Those with more specific dietary needs may find the areas outside the main cities a little more challenging, although vegetarians can usually negotiate a reasonable option when eating out. "Je suis une vegetarienne" generally works!

The French are warm friendly people. Parisians welcome international tourists and the residents in smaller towns are very hospitable. However, it always helps to know as much about the culture as possible before traveling to a new place, and France is no exception. The French value polite interchange in all situations from casual shopping experiences to formal interactions. Just being able to say “Bonjour”, “Merci”, and “S’il vous plait” makes a lot of difference in how we are received, so we recommend learning a few key phrases. Many French people in metropolitan and tourist areas can speak some English and will be happy to converse with visitors. This is not usually the case in more rural areas, but you will find that conversation can still take place, often with interesting sign language, and can be a lot of fun! The main thing is to try -- the French will really appreciate your efforts.

For more information about France check your favorite guidebooks or check http://www.studentsoftheworld.info/country_information.php?Pays=FRA.

An excellent website for all things connected with visiting or moving to France is: www.Frenchentree.com (we are in the Pays de la Loire region).