The work out clothes were a good idea after all
The end of an amazing adventure
It turns out, when you’re traveling for 3 weeks and leave your pajamas at a hostel on day 10, the workout clothes that have found a place in the recesses of suitcase are useful after all.
Not for working out, but it sure beats sleeping in jeans and an oversized sweater.
I’m not quite sure how I left my pajamas in Montpellier, France, but I did. It’s not the worst thing I’ve left at lodging on a long trip before as my 2015 prescription glasses were donated, graciously, to a Kibbutz. Putting contacts in at 3:00 AM to hike Masada after barely sleeping in the dusty desert is truly something I never wish to experience ever again.
But back to this trip. In my last update, I had just gotten to France 2 days early. I was scrolling on Instagram, as you do, and learned that an actor from my favorite show was showing his directorial debut at a film festival near Bordeaux, which is where I was supposed to be next anyway. So…I bought a flight that day and ended up in Bordeaux 8 hours later. Talk about a whirlwind.
I loved Portugal, but I really wanted to get to France. When I changed my flight to include France back in June, something was telling me I just had to go there. That the self-growth journey I’ve been going on for the last few years was going to have some major chapters in France.
And I was right.
France was everything I wanted it to be. I fell absolutely in love with the charm and romance of Bordeaux (even though it rained every day). Montpellier gave me a taste of local, non-touristy life. Marseille was chaotic and intense in all of the best ways, minus the ear infection I had when I was there. Aix-en-Provence connected me with family I had never met before but felt like a warm hug upon introduction. Nice provided an opportunity to relax and truly be present in the world around me.
And Sète. My dear Sète. Having spent the better part of this year watching a fictionalized version of the city on my television screen, to be there in person was magical. I had some of my hardest moments of my trip in Sète as I felt the weight of my anonymity as I walked silently from my hostel to the water, trying to engineer the “correct” next step in my life. It also had some of my highest highs of my trip as that same day I was dancing with new friends into the wee hours of the night.
The full recaps of each city—complete with insights of self-discovery—are on the travel blog. I would love to share them with you:
Montpellier and Sète: A love letter
Marseille and Aix-En-Provence: Markets and Meetings
Nice, Antibes, and Marseille (again): A Very, Very Nice Ending
The last three weeks were truly magical, and I feel very lucky to have had the experience I did, meeting wonderful people and spending some much needed solo exploration time. I am glad to be home, but I can’t wait to hit the road again.
Ten Highlights from France
One of the things I knew I wanted to do in France was go to a fancy tasting menu. It was even better when I found the Michelin-starred Le Pavilion des Boulevard lunch menu for 66 Euros. 5 courses and 2 glasses of wine —some of the best food and service I’ve ever had. Entirely worth it.
As in Portugal, the only thing I had booked prior to my arrival in France was my St. Emilion wine tour. Olala Bordeaux put on a great tour — I learned a lot and had excellent wine!
The movie that I saw at the Sarlat-en-Caneda Film Festival was Comme Un Prince, a sports comedy with a touch of romance, written and directed by Ali Marhyar. The movie was touching, funny, and beautifully shot. If it plays (or streams) near you, see it!
City accessibility! Every city I went to in France had aspects of accessibility. Be it the guide lanes on the floor of train stations for people who are blind or small busses to take the elderly over the cobblestoned streets of the city center of Aix, there was often some adaptation. The city transportation in Montpellier was even free for residents!
The Georges Hostel in Sète was incredible. The people working there are the nicest—especially when you book the wrong night and show up a day late—and they host fun concerts that are attended by people in the city. I’d go back in a heartbeat.
Tielle, a fish pie special to Sète, may be my new favorite food. Another
Sitting at a café in the morning, drinking an espresso and eating a croissant is a luxurious experience that will never get old.
Art is everywhere. Most cities had some pop up art installations, multiple theaters, music, and other artistic offerings for either low or no cost. I went to this theatre in Marseille and it was a wonderful experience.
Watching the sunset over the beaches of Nice is something dreams are made of. I could be content to do that every day of my life.
Speaking French! I made it through the trip mostly speaking French to people. I made mistakes all the time, but I did it. Shoutout to Coucou French School for the awesome classes and workshops!
I am now back in LA and settling into life again…but I’m actively monitoring flights to go back to France as soon as I can.
Till next time!
— Melanie