About Vive la moto

In 2022, I settled as a Belgian in Tourcoing, France, two kilometres from the border with Belgium. They speak French here, of course, and there are some minor differences from Belgium, but the culture of the region remains closely related to that of Flanders. For example, restaurant and bistro menus feature typical regional dishes such as le potjevleesch, la carbonade flamande, le hochepot, le waterzooi, ... . That doesn't sound very French, does it? And, when the season arrives, they eat masses of mussels with chips here. Heading towards Dunkirk, you drive through villages with names like Steenvoorde, Hondschoote, Wormhout, Bollezele and Kapellebroek. Before the French Revolution, this region was called la province de Flandre, after that la région Hauts-de-France, département du Nord.

We don't even have to go back to the famous year 1789 to see how this patch of French soil is still, at the core of its soul, leaning towards Flanders. Thus, on 16 December 2021, l'Education nationale recognised West Flemish as a langue régionale de France that can be taught in primary and secondary schools. If you thought the French were chauvinistic, well they are, but with a very open mind.

From the eyes and ears of a stranger, I am struck by how the French have imbibed their basic national values - liberty, equality and fraternity - into a congenial way of getting along. People are friendly, helping each other but also keeping their distance, leaving each other alone. Meanwhile, I am familiar with the greeting ritual in the lift that starts with bonjour when getting in, to change to une bonne journéé when getting out. In Flanders, a good morning usually suffices. These are the little things that stand out, as you would see Snow White in a red dress and Little Red Riding Hood with a white hat.

There is so much more. France is the land of camembert on a tablecloth with Vichy checks, haute couture on the catwalks in Paris. From graceful simplicity to high-class elegance. And, ... what a variety of landscapes! In short, France invites to be taken apart like a jigsaw puzzle.

With a passion for motorcycling, I go in search of beautiful places, the little anecdotes of history and everyday life. Occasionally, I post a postcard here.

Enjoy your reading.

Christian