The French Dispatch, Vol. 1

Avignon, France

My first full day in France was a Sunday.  I had arrived in Avignon the previous evening via the SCNF “Train a Grande Vitesse” (high speed train) from Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris.  The journey took three hours and was on-time quite pleasant (the French state-owned railways are not known for their punctuality). What really made me fall in love with French trains, however, was that there was a carriage for First Class that served wine… (I had booked a ‘Billet de Premiere Classe’ aka a First Class Ticket).

The Bar-Car

Sundays are sacred to the French.  To them, it is a day for only one thing: vegetating.  Work is to be avoided at all cost.

Knowing this, I expected Avignon to be completely shut down on my first day.  However, this wasn’t the case.  True, most shops, all government buildings, and businesses were closed. But, the Carrefour was open (a French grocery store chain) as were a few restaurants and cafes.  Mostly, the establishments, other than the grocery store, were open (ouvert) to cater to the small number of tourists in the city.

The view from my apartment in Avignon

I am curious to see how I like spending a month here.  I am very well traveled, but usually I am in a city for just a few days before moving on to the next.  Hopefully, this extended stay will give me more of a feel for what it is like to live in France! 

Location: Avignon, France

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