The Discovery of France – Graham Robb

Accompanying me on our short trip to the Languedoc in France last week were two books: The Shack by William P Young (more on this later maybe) and The Discovery of France by Graham Robb.

The latter was a fascinating insight into the people of France (mostly outside of Paris) and their role in creating the modern-day state. The author spent four years researching the book by cycling through France and he has produced a gem that is equal part historical novel and quick reference book (although once picked up it will be hard to put down again).

The prose has a rhythm that suggests it was written on the go, and Robb describes in great detail the cost and impact of travel across France on its “peasants” with particular wit and attention. The development of the French language, colonisation, work patterns, and the sad slow erosion of the individuality of each region’s pays for the sake of a modern nation are all covered in a gripping read.

It’s also crammed with interesting and quirky facts, like how increased use of the bicycle increased the average height of the French population, and that a whistling language was widely used in the Pyrenees until the 1930s. It was versatile enough to convey the front page of the day’s news and was most notably used to help smuggle Jewish refugees across the border into Spain during Nazi occupation.

Highly recommended to anyone with even a passing interest in France and French culture. While on holiday it made me want to stay even longer and hop on a bike.