It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with  Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

Ok, I promise this is the last post about France (unless I get to go there again LOL).

So here are five non–running-related things that I loved about my vacation in France.

1. The People I met.

I know many people think that French people are snotty. Many people think that the French don’t like us Americans.

I found that both of these feelings to be far from the truth.

All of the staff in our “small” typically French hotel in Paris were so helpful.  They served us breakfast the day we arrived even though breakfast hours were over.  They made me breakfast to go the morning I left before it was too early for the hotel breakfast.  They were always helpful is giving me advice on where to go, how to get there, etc.

I stayed with a family in Sanguinet. The wife got up at 5 am each morning to take the train to Bordeaux where she was getting another college degree and when she came home each night at 7 pm, she prepared us a multi-course gourmet meal…every night!

In many of the cities, we got lost. Each person we encountered was super helpful in getting us directions. (We even had to stop at a vet’s to use their landline the first night we arrived in Sanguinet…long story!)

I could go on and on about other friendly folks – the runner on the subway and the lady in the airport shuttle.

2. Their Transportation System

So easy to get everywhere…subways in Paris, TGV from Paris to Bordeaux, Tram in Bordeaux, train from Facture to Bordeaux, RER from Paris to St Germain-en-Laye.

Not to mention boat tours, train tours and bus tours.

Wish it were that easy to get around here.

3. The Food (and Wine)

I got spoiled. But everything tasted so good. Did I eat healthy? Well, most of the time…but those desserts….

4. The Architecture

Since I had visited Paris at least 10 times prior, I wanted to see things esp. buildings that I had never seen before.

I visited districts in Paris (new to me) like La Bastille, La Nation, Vincennes, Saint Sulpice and St Germain en Laye. I also toured Bordeaux, Bicarosse, Arcachon and Cap Ferret (SW of Paris).

5. The Art Museums

I’ve always loved art.  When I was a kid I wanted to be an art teacher. That was before I realized that I had no talent.

To get my fix, I would illustrate everything when I taught French and I would visit art museums when I got the chance.

Well, as you probably know, France is a mecca for art.

I have in the past visited Musee d’Orsay, Centre Pompidou, Musee Marmottan, Louvre, Rodin museum and more.  I wanted to see the special exhibits in the Petit and Grand Palais but no time.

I did get to see the new Fondation Louis Vuitton.

Happy Running! What are your favorite non-running-related things about your favorite city?