I spent my last 10 days in France outside of Paris in the city of Mâcon where I was graciously offered a place to stay. It was a wonderful retreat, offering peace and time to reflect on my travels over the past two months. I took time to explore the town and take a few day trips. Mâcon is a city of around 35,000 on the Saône river and I did a lot of walking as I enjoy exploring and finding my way.
A train ride of less than an hour South took me to the beautiful city of Lyon. It was a clear, sunny day and I took a long walk not wanting to miss any sites. The views walking down from Fourvière Hill were wonderful. This city at the confluence of the Saône and Rhône rivers feels like a petite Paris yet has a spirit all its own.
A train ride of less than an hour North took me to the lovely city of Beaune. It is known for its wines, tastings and shops are abundant. The area of Bourgogne grows the Pinot grape with a great variety of wines. But it was here in Beaune that the history and spirit of France touched my heart. The city walls and bastions are still mostly in tact and shaped like a barrel which seems appropriate. Within these city walls are the expected cobble stone, narrow, winding streets of France that feel so romantic and mysterious.
It felt familiar and as I prepared to leave, my thoughts were of Karen Blixen’s writing…“If I know a song of Africa, of the giraffe and the African new moon lying on her back, of the plows in the fields and the sweaty faces of the coffee pickers, does Africa know a song of me?” I now have a deeper understanding of these words with a song of France in my heart and I hope France knows a song of me.