Letters
Old France is still here – if you know where to look
A reader responds to columnist Nick Inman's article on the changes in France
'The France I know and love is still very much alive'
oliverdelahaye/Shutterstock
To the Editor,
I found Nick Inman’s article ‘Reports of France’s death are greatly exaggerated’ very interesting, especially from my perspective as a second-home owner since 1994, about 45 minutes from Bergerac.
The France I know and love is still very much alive – full of friendly people and a wonderfully relaxed attitude towards myself and my family. We can still park easily and enjoy a coffee at a small café.
Of course, I have noticed many changes over the years: small shops have disappeared, and out-of-town retail centres have sprung up.
Yet, the local food markets remain, and that is something to celebrate. These trends are hardly unique to France – the same has happened in the UK.
At least here, most shops still close on Sundays, giving everyone, especially employees, a welcome bit of peace and quiet.
Everything evolves eventually, but for me, France is still France.
J.S., Dordogne
To the Editor,
I have lived in France for 15 years and have always been very aware that the country had its head in the sand regarding its massive overspend on public services.
At last people are beginning to realise how much the state spends to look after them.
I live in a small village of approximately 350 people in central Morbihan.
It has lost its primary school and the bar/dépôt de pain/small épicerie closed in the spring.
The fête de la musique did not happen this year, but the village still manages to organise a fête on August 15, which attracts well over 1,000 people. Over-70s are also treated to a free lunch in the salle communale.
Despite the obvious contraction in village life, the fact I am now well into my 80s means it is perhaps easier to exist without the bar and the music.
I still enjoy living here and look around in Europe to see the same problems emerging, especially on the other side of the Channel.
M.B., Morbihan
Do you think France has kept its traditional spirit despite the changes of recent decades? let us know at letters@connexionfrance.com
