Buying my lunch today in Villers-Cotterêt’s friendliest pattisserie, for perhaps the last time until September, makes me think of my time here. It’s a quirky small town with it’s share of rowdiness and misfits lingering on the corners all hours, but in the morning the sun shines and people passing in the street pause to greet each other and wish each other a good day.

There is a friendliness in the French manner born of it’s formality. It’s unusual not to greet someone properly and this routine, rather than being simple drudgery, creates smiles and well wishes in turn.

After downing my fantastic sandwich, I’ll make the drive through the forest Retz once more. The sun streaming through the trees. Past the softened wheat fields and stone chapel at Taillefontaine and on to the Chateau Pierrefonds once more.