Ever since discovering this region of France, I have been amazed by the strong discrepancy between the romantic history permeating its scenery and the modern way it is typically touted for tourism as pass-through country, only to be spend one or two nights on one’s hasty way to the alluring South.
At least once every year our local newspaper publishes a headline that is loaded with demoralized sighing: if only we had mountains or sea, money would come rolling in. Much to our great relief, the French holiday industry, so successful in selling the ideal representation of cultural unwinding elsewhere, doesn’t seem to have a clue how to attract the masses to the many historic places of interest in our beloved Berry.
They nevertheless pull out all the stops: on every corner of every winding road you will find a polished sign reminding you that you are following the Route of Romanticism, in the footsteps of George Sand, probably leading you to yet another establishment commemorating the life and works of Frederic Chopin, even if it is just a hotel.
Although it doesn’t necessarily have to be true you’ll get the impression that you are dealing with a return to the original, untouched nature, in a true Romantic fashion, longing for a past from before the Industrial Revolution, offering peace and healing to l’Homme Sauvage, as described by philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
It indeed strikes me very odd that the ideals of all of these classic cultural heroes, still so ubiquitous in our nature and in all its vistas, do not appeal to a larger crowd in this day and age. Odd but not unwelcome, as we have become so protective of what it all still entails for us, even though we have never really mind sharing.
Some news outlets are currently pointing towards an upcoming Parisian exodus into our area, rapidly buying up the many vacant properties. Now that Corona has taught them the joys of teleworking, they might finally answer the call of the authenticity and mysticism of our surroundings, providing an escape from their raw contemporary reality.
We’ll see. It’s either that or moving mountains or sea, right?
I have been in the Berry region several times. I remember that they used a lot of brick in there architecture, which is pretty unique in France. Besides George Sand, isn’t it also well known for its hunting? We will have to make another visit there if we can ever get back to our house in France.
Hi Chloe, thanks for your comment! In our area it’s mostly natural stone and granite and I never really noticed brick houses, but I might be totally mistaken. Hunting is indeed still a big thing here, unfortunately. I do hope you’ll be able to get to your house here soon too. I bet we all can’t wait till this ordeal is over…
You’re right about the use of brick, of course, but now I get to search out the area where this style of building was used. Something to do in this covid time. My favorite cathedral is in Berry, if Borges is there. Those incredible stained glass windows are actually low enough for one to see.
Bourges is indeed in the Berry, it’s actually seen as the capital. Love the cathedral as well! It’s a good two hours drive there from here though, so we don’t visit often.