The truth about France

In America, the stories about France are legendary: Snotty locals, expensive restaurants that serve microscopic portions, incredible congestion, rude business-people, and gray skies. It's a cliche, and not a useful one (unless you're a francophobe, of which there are more than a few).

Yes, Paris can be all of that and more, but so can any other big city. I'm a resident of New York City, I've lived in Boston, spent time in London and Los Angeles. There's snottiness, ridiculous restaurants and congestion in all of them. In that way, one big city is very much like the next.

But the truth about France is that it's a diverse, beautiful country full of friendly people and laaaarrrrgggge portions if you get out of the tourist centers. All you have to do is put your AAA guidebook down for a moment and get yourself off the treadmill of tourist sites and actually, you know, explore the country itself. You won't be disappointed.

One stop in France that most tourists don't make is the region of Alsace-Lorraine. Located in France's souteast corner, it abuts with Germany, Switzerland, Holland and Luxembourg. In many ways Alsace is a country unto itself. There is a distinct Alsacian language - a blend of German, French and Swiss - a distinct cuisine and of course a distinct culture. The nominal capital of Alsace is Strasbourg, a middle-ages European city that boasts one of the most beautiful cathedrals in all of Europe. Strasbourg sits on the border between France and Germany, and like Alsace itself has been the fulcrum of many wars between the two nation-states.

You wouldn't know it when driving through the countryside, however. Spectacular views reminiscent of upstate New York head off in all directions. The neatly apportioned farmland hugs the hillsides in a seemingly organic fashion, all presenting a sense of warmness and closeness that most folks don't think about when they think about France. And in my experience, the locals are some of the friendliest people you'll find anywhere. Far from the stereotype of snotty Frenchmen who turn their nose up if you don't speak their language, the Alsacians I met were universally flattered at my (horrible) attempts to communicate. And 90% of them spoke passable English, so there were few times when communication was ipmossible.

And the food... there's nothing like an Alsacian meal! If you can, find the restaurant "La Grange du Paysan" - The Peasant's Farm - out in the Alsacian countryside. It's the best meal I've ever had, and a testament to its quality is the helicopter pad out back - it's such a great meal, that Parisian businessmen fly in for lunch daily! Don't miss it.

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