French people are very illogical human beings. I know what I’m saying—I’m one of them. I suspect it’s a genetic trait because my very French family can’t help making seemingly illogical decisions as well.
For instance, this Sunday, we didn’t have anything planned, and by that, I mean that we had decided we wouldn’t do anything special. But somehow, when I came back from the supermarket at 1 p.m., a decision had been made to “go somewhere.”
I sighed. I didn’t mind “going somewhere” but the destination was vague and planning was terribly off. We weren’t even close to be ready to “go somewhere.” I lived in a Chinese family long enough to appreciate a good schedule and some time-management skills and I know for sure that four people plus a kid need to get ready.
So, instead of getting ready, I acted French and went to grab coffee with my grandmother.
Eventually, we walked to the free parking lot along the Loire River where my dad parks “the white car.” By then, it was already 3 p.m. I spotted my grandmother on the balcony of her apartment when we walked by, she was laughing at us. She would have been ready on time. She is a planner, a French oddity.
We stopped to get some gas, then drove through the “région du Muscadet,” this white wine made at the western end of the Loire Valley. Every few metres, a sign invited us to check out such and such winery and have a glass or two. No wonder there are so many accidents on these narrow and twisty countryside roads… French logic, right?
We stopped shortly after Clisson, at the Garenne Lemot, a large park along the Sèvre River.
Again, French logic. French can’t just enjoy a park—they have to scatter art pieces in it so that they feel both rural and urban, close to nature and very cultured.
The park was created in the 19th century by a sculptor, François-Frédéric Lemot. Inspired by a trip to Italy, he developed the land and added Italian-style buildings and art pieces, like ancient statues. The result is a regular park with a twist, i.e. French people playing pétanque beside a colonne Henri-IV.
Again, French logic: both of my parents absolutely hate modern art, but we spent time in the Villa Lemot that houses a modern art exhibit. Go figure.
Now we shall argue over art at dinner… again.
Yeeeaaaah, Clisson ! Town of the Hellfest, the biggest French Metal festival, happens every year in June!
One of my closest friends lives there, it’s a funky city 😉
Wine cellars and art galleries – culture overload! It looks lovely and there are worse things to argue about over dinner than art!
True! Politics, for instance 😆