I carried with me a certain criticism of France—especially regarding the
banlieues, a phenomenon largely absent in countries such as the Netherlands, Luxembourg, or also Germany.
It was also noted that, after
Czechia, France has the most widespread free tekno scene in terms of population. Unlike in neighboring countries, where refusal to shut down a sound system often leads to arrests and confiscations, the “
party” there is expected to last through the night.
Yet France is also a land of extraordinary beauty. The
Ossuaire de Douaumont stands unforgettable in its majesty, singular in its gravity, not far from Toul. Not far from Ossuaire de Douaumont is
Fort de Vaux. A flowering spring there was amazing. Across the whole Grand Est region, one encounters countless places of interest—monuments, historically charged landscapes, and cities that quietly carry meaning.
At the edge of
Grand Est lies Luxembourg, Belgium and also Strasbourg, a city balanced on the border with Germany. From there, a tram crosses effortlessly into the nearby German town of
Kehl. Few places in Europe allow one to pass between nations with such ordinary ease.
To me, Strasbourg bears the imprint of Germany through its closeness, yet it remains unmistakably French. For me, it is also place of an interesting meeting.
I wanted to write about
Strasbourg because the city is beautiful—and
genuinely safe. Compared to many others, it is also cleaner. Certain areas, especially around the historic center, resemble the carefully constructed sets of
historical films.
Last year, this drew me to Strasbourg on the night of
Christmas Eve. The city was empty, wrapped in silence, and revealed itself through a distinctly Christmas atmosphere. These streets are usually well kept, and at night—particularly at Christmas, without people—the nocturnal life in French cities like Strasbourg feels calmer. With its architecture and immaculate streets, the city appeared to me like a
stage set, a quiet theater awaiting its
actors. In its own way, this may also reflect the distinctly
French sensibility for art and culture.
In
France, one is also struck by how close nuclear power plants can be to residential areas. The Grand Est region is no exception. It is here that the important
Cattenom nuclear power plant is located, situated just a few kilometers from cities and inhabited areas. The plant is embedded in the landscape along the Moselle River, in close proximity to forests and settlements, which clearly illustrates the
French approach to nuclear energy. France has built its nuclear network (the
parc nucléaire) since the 1970s as a strategic infrastructure to ensure energy self-sufficiency.
