Vive La Belle France

Numéro un: choose adequate transportation

Only one car manufacturer really comes to mind, the one who built the famous "traction 11 CV" (featured in Diva) that could outrace cop cars. We suggest the now legendary 2 CV (barely 30 hps) with a roof that can be completely rolled back. You will feel totally relaxed knowing at least that everyone else drives a faster car than you. Even overly anxious local drivers have a sentimental respect for people who journey through today's traffic with the leisure and time people could only afford years ago.

Numéro deux - the right equipment is essential

For one we strongly recommend Kundera's latest novel "La lenteur", a must when you stop at a cafe or bar waiting for a friend or an inspiration. For an improvised picnic be sure to pack an opinel, the only approved bread and cheese pocket knife famous for its real wooden handle. Even if you consider yourself a belligerent nonsmoker, be sure to keep gauloises and gitanes cigarettes handy, don't forget the bic lighter either. And last but not least store a few bottles of good "beaujolais" in your car, don't worry, you will not be "cited for an open container".

Numéro trois - Munich's french quarter

Why not start your trip in very popular HAIDHAUSEN, Munich's french quarter. Baroque urbanism trends must have strongly influenced the city fathers at the beginning of the last century. Straight and symetrically aligned streets named Pariserstraße, Orléanstraße and also Belfortstraße produce kind of a "mini-Hausmann" style. The not-so-orderly touch of the backcourt gardens with wildly growing flowers remind us of Mediterranean savoir-vivre and hospitality.

Numéro quatre - apéritif and pétanque

When it's time for an evening drink or apéritif how about a game of boccia or pétanque ? Just follow the Isar (the river that flows through Munich) southward until you reach 76 Thalkirchnerstraße where you'll meet local boccia players. Jump in and learn the local game lingo and the necessary expressions to command some respect, it's quite natural. Very rapidly you'll start asking yourself the eternal question of this game, should I place or hit. So while debatting pros and cons your partners and adversaries can enjoy a cool and refreshing BEER at the club house. Don't be angry now, we know that they should be drinking a Pastis (Pernod) as tradition dictates but this is not the right place and most likely not the right weather. If you start feeling a bit hungry call up the guys at City Baguette, they deliver the official casse-croute: fresh baguette with butter and cooked ham. Make sure you get ham and not sausage, the all time default choice in this part of the country.

Numéro cinq - row, row, row the boat

The most "romantique" of you will opt for an early afternoon "promenade" in one of Europe's most beautiful botanical gardens. No need to climb up dangerous and snow covered alpine cliffs to view a few highly protected Edelweiss. Magnificent specimen of the Leontodium Alpinum grow here in complete safety protected from harsh weather conditions and careless tourists. Should the BOTANISCHER GARTEN be a tad to serene you may want to venture to the Kleinhesseloher lake in the english garden. The film "Mr. Hulot's hollidays" will come to mind in this resort scenery populated by countless well fed swans, ducks, sea gulls and wild geese. Take your date and jump into a boat, row as hard as you can to burn off those excess beer calories accumulated so far - or - kick back and relax, enjoy the landscape and the peaceful atmosphere.

Numéro six - after the pain the gain

Could you resist enjoying a true french candlelight dinner prepared by an authentic french chef ? Of course not. Feel like being in Paris at the "RUES DES HALLES" where the chef can certainly suggest an exquisite bottle of french wine. For more Brittany country style inclined the "KERGUELEN" proposes crepes made with different flours, apple cider and waffles. The after dinner ritual is pending, the famous question about the evening's outcome will be asked. But, keep in mind that traditions exist where paying a french lady's dinner without her disapproval expresses a tacit committment to more intimate and romantic events to follow that evening.

Addresses and/or french connections

Institut Français: Kaulbachstraße 13

Librairie française: Schellingstraße 3 [Schwabing]

Ecole française de Munich : Berlepschstraße 3

Consulat Français à Munich : Möhlstraße 10, tel: (089) 41 94 11- 0

Consulat Suisse à Munich: Brienner Strasse 14, tel: (089) 286 62 00

Consulat Belge à Munich: 14, Brienner Strasse, tel: (089) 286.60.90

Consulat Luxembourgeois à Munich : Klenzestraße 101, tel: 202 422 02

Consulat Canadien à Munich : 29 Tal, tel: (089) 2 906 512 3