Posting to follow. I have lots to say on this topic (have lived there twice and travel there frequently) and hope to chime in soon! Enjoying the discussion so far and agree with much of what has been said.
Tell me about the food and fashion!
My friend just got back from a holiday there and she said the men wear scarves and look GREAT in em.
If you like food then you need to go to Lyon, it is the true food capital of France. They bakeries there blow the ones in Paris out of the water.
Yes, men will wear scarves, even when it is 90 degrees out they will wear a t-shirt with a scarf. Fashion is subjective, I guess.
Yum! What was your favourite bakery option there? Croissant?
There's a bakery in the neighborhood called La-Croix_Rousse called L'Atelier Du Boulanger.
A demi-baguette from there was about 1 euro and the most delicious combination of flour, salt, water, and yeast I have ever put in my mouth.
http://www.latelierduboulanger.fr/nos-produits/Yes, of course, croissants are very good there too, but the simplicity and deliciousness of the baguette was what struck me the most.
One thing to note is always go to a bakery that displays a sign "Fabrication Artisanale" or "Pain Artisanal". You can see it on the website above. This notes that they have their own recipes and artisanal baking. Many bakeries in France are part of a chain. The bake the bread there but follow recipes from the chain.
