Are the French passionate ?
I think the English have been conned for many years believing that our Gallic brothers over the Channel possess more passion and fire than ourselves.
It is true that a Frenchman is passionate about his digestive system and the wellbeing of his liver. Food and wine play an important and intricate part in his daily life and such matters are given high consideration. A Camembert is not the same as a Coulommier, even though they look similar, Oysters from Arcachon are to be distinguished from Oysters from Leucate, Limoux Cremante is not Krug from Bollinger and so on and so forth. As to whether a Frenchman makes a better lover I couldn't comment although there is still time !!
One area which never ceases to amaze me though is the French's lack of passion or concern in safeguarding their heritage and the natural beauty of the countryside. Sadly one only has to drive through the prettiest of villages to encounter ugly sprawling developments and a rash of germoline boxes that with thought and sensibility could have blended in with the existing architecture. Villages with a Mayor who possesses foresight are sadly few and far between.
The picture above is no longer, for only a few days ago the monstrous yellow diggers appeared for the new lotissment. Sited beautifully with far reaching views of the Pyrenees and vines this plot will be a blot on the previously unspoilt landscape for years to come. A landscape that has remained untouched and thus still retaining its natural beauty since Medieval times. A old stone wall runs the length of the field and set between the stone is a iron cross to remind all of the journey of Calbaire, Christ's last steps to his crucifixion. Every Palm Sunday someone places a blessed branch onto the cross.
A site to be preserved one would think, with passion even. Apparently not. Indifference, resignation and apathy abound. The word 'progress' is muttered, backs are turned away with a deep sigh.
And to argue in a reasoned and logical way is pointless. To explain that this village is a jewel in the crown of the Aude is fruitless.
A nation that places a glass pyramid in front of their greatest national asset, the Louvre, that has been the subject of debate for over 20 years could answer the question as to why they are single-handedly destroying their own heritage.
That's if they understood the passion behind the question in the first place.
Comments
Blossom x
Ps. Have those leaflets left France yet?
Crystal xx
Sadly it sounds as if the village you speak of has a mayor more intent on increasing revenue rather then maintaning hertiage and natural beauty.
As for the Englsih being better at it, I know of several incidents in our old village where ancient trees with preservation orders were knocked down for development and the builders happily paid the meagre fine and houses listed as grade 2 were totally gentrified and ruined inside and out with the councils blessing and English Heritages response? Oh well better take of the listing now as there is nothing left to preserve!! Not even a fine!
I agree wiht Cryatsl when she says ruining landscapes seems to be becoming the norm these days.Everywhere it seems to boil down to whether someone in authority is happy to accept backhanders to line his own pockets and when that happens there seems to be littel anyone can do to stop them whichever country they are in.
Big sighs all around!!
You could always chain yourself naked to the iron cross in protest, shaming the locals into doing something because une anglaise is more passionate than they are about their heritage and countryside. And if you did that, and photos were taken, there would be the calendar's Miss October!
Seriously, if you were the owner of that plot of land and were approached with reasoned and reasonable arguments about the need for new houses for the up and coming generation who cannot afford to buy into the present market, those arguments coupled with an offer of 1 million euros for the land, would you, honestly, be able to resist temptation? I'm sure you could justify it to your conscience to accept the offer.
NIMBYism is fine as an attitude, as far as it goes (which is not to say you are a NIMBY, Sally, I don't even know if this plot is anywhere near you), but sooner or later, someone's back yard will have to be built in.
From a Canadian perspective, where something built in 1890 is a heritage building, it is too bad to see ancient history go under the bulldozer.
It isnt just France ...we are fighting tooth and nail to keep some small historical buildings in situ...guess who wants rid? Some incomers who have only been there months and have freely admitted that they can not see the historical significance...WHAT!???
Just makes my blood boil!!
Around The World with Daily Photoblogs Old and New is a brief history of the City Daily Photoblog movement and a guide to sites around the world.
Our criterion for inclusion is that photographs related mainly to a specific geographical location are posted at dated intervals. CDPB critera are much stricter, so inclusion in our guide does not imply that a blog is officially a CDPB.
Please keep us informed of any changes to your details.
Shameful the way they are ruining the view though, happening everywhere. Lining their pockets seems to be foremost in politicians minds these days.
The French do not deserve France !