I love France. I say this having only set foot in the lovely country once but rather than call my love naive, hear me out.

I love France for:

• Cheese – the stinkier the better and boy do they make it good and stinky
• Wine & champagne – enough said
• Food and cooking – their love for it, their enjoyment of it and what they’ve given to the world as a result
• The language
• Style and elegance
• My favourite perfume
• The countryside
• The charming old cities
• Artists, Monet’s work in particular has always made me smile
• Giving Jacques Brel a career in music
• Amélie
• A healthy sense of national pride

Most of all I love France for the fabulous image it has portrayed of itself for me. Maybe that will shatter some day and my dream of running a cutesy little restaurant in a small village in my retirement there will shatter into a million pieces.

For now, I salute you France. Hopefully see you again soon et bon anniversaire!