What are your favourite places in France and why?
I love Paris and the Cote d’Azur, but I also love the area around Biarritz down towards Spain along the Atlantic coast.
Still, Paris and the Cote d’Azur get my vote. Paris, for the very obvious reasons that it is one of the greatest and most beautiful cities in the world. Its choice of art exhibitions and cinema is probably only matched by New York. I am not a city person, or no longer, but I am always excited when I arrive back in Paris because I know that for several days I will be running from one place to another, and there will be so much to see, friends to meet and talk with.
There is a very deep-rooted support of the arts in France and nowhere is it more apparent than in Paris. Quality of life matters; freedom of speech is a fundamental here; respect for the individual and each individual’s belief, sexuality, lifestyle. France is a republic, and that is also deeply rooted within the national psyche.
What do you think makes France a great place to visit?
Looking at everywhere in the world I have visited or lived, there is nowhere else, in my opinion, that has the balance so well distributed. It means that sometimes one is caught up in an air traffic control strike or such but the point is the French understand that to take away the right to voice an opinion, takes away the voice of the individual. Freedom of speech. Democracy.
Family values matter here. An excellent education system and almost entirely free or very affordable.
Along with the United States, but at far less cost, we have a terrific health care system. If I am going to get sick – please not – but if so, I want it to be here where I know I will be cared for, expertly and swiftly.
Excellent newspapers with intelligent broadsheet journalism; superb food; a vast choice of landscapes: skiing, thousands of kilometres of coastline with the gentle lap of the Mediterranean or the surfers’ paradise along the Atlantic. Wild coasts, elegant resorts. There are always opportunities for children and for the young if you are travelling as a family. A deep and rich history to explore, to plunge yourself within.
Along with the United States, but at far less cost, there is a terrific health care system. If I am going to get sick – please not – but if so, I want it to be here where I know I will be cared for, expertly and swiftly.
Excellent newspapers with intelligent broadsheet journalism; superb food; a vast choice of landscapes: skiing, thousands of kilometres of coastline with the gentle lap of the Mediterranean or the surfers’ paradise along the Atlantic. Wild coasts, elegant resorts.
There are always opportunities for children and for the young if you are travelling as a family.
A deep and rich history to explore, to plunge yourself within.
"Freedom of speech... balance... democracy... support of the arts... excellent education and newspapers... superb food..."