Detour de France

An Englishman in Search of a Continental Education

Nonfiction, Travel, Europe, France, Adventure & Literary Travel
Cover of the book Detour de France by Michael Simkins, Ebury Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Michael Simkins ISBN: 9781407027463
Publisher: Ebury Publishing Publication: May 27, 2009
Imprint: Ebury Digital Language: English
Author: Michael Simkins
ISBN: 9781407027463
Publisher: Ebury Publishing
Publication: May 27, 2009
Imprint: Ebury Digital
Language: English

Though happy enough with his lot, Michael Simkins has never truly shaken the nagging doubt - helpfully upheld by his partner Julia - that he somehow lacks worldly sophistication. While she spent her teenage years as a nanny on a boat moored at Cannes, his utter lack of travel experience (Weymouth, Cleethorpes and a day trip to Dieppe) still has the power to shock people into leaving dinner parties early.

So as he hits middle-age, Michael takes up the challenge of broadening his horizons. He decides to improve himself in the same way English gentlemen lacking refined edges have for centuries: by learning from our more cultured French neighbours. Michael, an English provincial ingénue, sets off to discover just what the Gallic nation can teach him and the rest of us Anglo-Saxons about living the good life. Armed only with 50 Useful Phrases in French, he waits to see if his odyssey from La Manche to the Riviera will finally turn him from the scotch-egg eating spawn of Anne Widdecombe and John McCririck into the champagne-sipping love child of Serge Gainsbourg and Catherine Deneuve. Julia is saying a prayer for him at Lourdes.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Though happy enough with his lot, Michael Simkins has never truly shaken the nagging doubt - helpfully upheld by his partner Julia - that he somehow lacks worldly sophistication. While she spent her teenage years as a nanny on a boat moored at Cannes, his utter lack of travel experience (Weymouth, Cleethorpes and a day trip to Dieppe) still has the power to shock people into leaving dinner parties early.

So as he hits middle-age, Michael takes up the challenge of broadening his horizons. He decides to improve himself in the same way English gentlemen lacking refined edges have for centuries: by learning from our more cultured French neighbours. Michael, an English provincial ingénue, sets off to discover just what the Gallic nation can teach him and the rest of us Anglo-Saxons about living the good life. Armed only with 50 Useful Phrases in French, he waits to see if his odyssey from La Manche to the Riviera will finally turn him from the scotch-egg eating spawn of Anne Widdecombe and John McCririck into the champagne-sipping love child of Serge Gainsbourg and Catherine Deneuve. Julia is saying a prayer for him at Lourdes.

More books from Ebury Publishing

Cover of the book Fish by Michael Simkins
Cover of the book Doctor Who: Shakedown by Michael Simkins
Cover of the book Nexus Confessions: Volume Six by Michael Simkins
Cover of the book Forgotten Voices of the Somme by Michael Simkins
Cover of the book Homoeopathic Drug Pictures by Michael Simkins
Cover of the book Self Belief: The Vision, Level 1: Take Control by Michael Simkins
Cover of the book I Never Knew That About Yorkshire by Michael Simkins
Cover of the book Out of London Walks by Michael Simkins
Cover of the book Good Food Eat Well: Vegetarian and Vegan Dishes by Michael Simkins
Cover of the book The Gut Reaction Eating Plan by Michael Simkins
Cover of the book Doctor Who: The Writer's Tale: The Final Chapter by Michael Simkins
Cover of the book Dream Lover by Michael Simkins
Cover of the book Help Your Children Cope With Your Divorce by Michael Simkins
Cover of the book The Mistress of Sternwood Grange by Michael Simkins
Cover of the book The Celebrated Pedestrian and Other Historical Curiosities by Michael Simkins
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy