Life in a French Village is quiet, but dull it is not. Since we are on the main village road, there often seems to be a procession of some sort passing by: an antique car rally appears out of nowhere, or there’s a wedding at the church and the guests sashay by, the ladies sporting their outrageous, colorful hats. On memorial holidays the pompiers (fire fighters) step out smartly in uniform, to honor the war dead. I’ve walked out of the gate and nearly been run over by a cow, since the farmer often moves his herd to another field by way of our little road. Photo, above: A bride and groom depart in their camionette, thoughtfully decorated by their friends (Is that a coffin on top?).
Then there are the undercurrents of daily life that keep things interesting. I won't repeat the current gossip, but one evening this week we were drinking wine with our favorite neighbors Marion and Jean-Marie outside on our galerie, and we got to talking about past life in the village. There is no commerce now in our village, but the farmer across the way once had a café in his barn, where the men would stop in on Sundays for un verre de vin while the women and children went on to church. Looks like the guys got their communion wine one way or another.
Marion also told the story of the former owner of their house. He was was having an affair with une femme just down the road (une femme tombé, a fallen woman, since she’d previously had an affair with and a child by one of her mother’s lovers). Monsieur routinely rolled his mobilette down the hill to her house with the motor off so no one would hear, but of course nobody was fooled. Finally one morning the villagers saw her shiny patent leather shoes placed boldly outside his door. This was a sign to all: the affair is official, so Get Over It.
As we chatted, un carrosse, pulled by a large, beautiful horse, zipped by at a good clip. Seeing me run into the road with my camera, the driver and his wife kindly turned around and came back for a photo op. Turns out they were from a neighboring village, and were taking their prize work horse of 20 years out for une promenade. While we were chatting Ron had to scoop up our fearless and lackadaisical cat, who strolled up and walked right under the giant beast.
Just another evening in Burgundy, and excitement enough for these former city dwellers.
In the COMMENTS: Everyone seemed to like the cooker made from a bathtub. Now you must read about Debbie's equally creative bar-g-que grill!
Favorite Reads: The best speaker in our French conversation group is our friend Richard, and he really works at it. Yesterday he brought his favorite grammer book to class, which he says is straightforward and clearly written: French Grammar and Usage
10 thoughts on “The Small Pleasures of Village Life”
I felt as if I was there with you… Life is good indeed in your French village… I will pass on your friend Richard’s advice to my students next week when we start our classes again. I wonder how many will actually get that book and leave it on their table de chevet… Hmmm… Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)
Read a French Grammar book at bedtime…this is a GREAT idea…I’m off to the bookseller forthwith. Although it occurs to me…since I’ve never taken French, and the French have often been rendered breathless laughing over my pronunciation incroyable, how I will overcome this little problem. But it would be a start. Lord knows the four “Learn to Speak French” systems I have are…well, draw the veil.
I have been enjoying your column immensely as I have moved, painted all by myself for the first time (great results, lots of stress), changed lightbulbs at fifteen feet (oh, for a “Honey-do”), and stood dumbfounded at the list of things that have to be done, all the while dealing with after effects of pneumonia!
And all seems worth it as I sip aperitifs with my new neighbors and we exchange gossip about others on the street (alas, nothing so juicy as patent leather shoes by the front door!)
I miss France and Paris, have not been back for 5 years and looking forward to my next trip, which keeps getting pushed back for various reasons. You keep me so connected and I look forward to meeting you at the chateau!
Linda, coughing like Camille in Portland, Maine
The Wonderful owners (and please note that is with a capital “W”) of La Corniche are here for their annual stay and Nicole (la Petite Papillon) is teaching me some French Argot which I try to use at least once a day…..current nouveau words are “Peefe” and “Mouche” – I love both of them and am putting them in sentences as much as I can.
No commerce. you mean there is not even a cafe or coffee bar in town or something that resembles a quick stop. what does one do whe you are out for a long walk and need a cold one. even my cousin’s village of Catenoum had a bar. But then you could always bike over to Apres Ski wherever they are moored because you know the pot is always on so to speak.
ps are you doing any caning or making any late fall jams with all the harvest abundant?
Lynn,
We leave for Lagnes for a month, then two months on the Atlantic just north of Bayonne. Your post today screams of what I hope we’ll find from time to time in Lagnes. We are so looking forward to spending time in France, practicing my French (sans ma groupe de conversation, alors), writing, enjoying your posts, and posting a few of my own. AND writing my solo book and working on my third book with co-author friend back in Washington state. Your experiences inspire me–not to mention make me hungry.
Regards,
Chris
Oh, the joys of village life in France. Sounds wonderful Lynn.
Mille mercis for sharing them with us. I certainly will check out
the French Grammar book. Perhaps if I put it under my pillow by osmosis it will simply sink in? Bon weekend.
Lynn, another wonderful post. You, my friend, are a great writer and story teller. Cheers!
Please keep your stories and great photos coming as we all vicariously enjoy your life in France!
Oh,yes, Lynn, you very definitely ARE a great writer AND storyteller
(let’s not forget photographer!!)
Thank you for another wonderful trip in sharing your life in a French Village!
Smiles abound now as we start the weekend! (No better way to start!)
I especially appreciated the suggestions for the grammar books.
My intentions are good,but,alas,it’s no understatement to say that I truly have miles to go before I sleep!
Bon journee!!!
Oh so many books that I own…dust laden….great intentions….even have the French classics with French on one side of the page and English on the other. Unfortunately, osmosis is not working so good for me. Soon I hope to pay them a real visit…