Soul searching in France
Work related travel to world famous tourist destinations can be quite frustrating if the only breather in your meeting packed schedule are the short trips in the elevator when you journey between your room and conference hall in the same hotel building! Why go to far away exotic cities if all you get is a few hours to explore the city at the fag end of several days of brain-drain? However, the recent trend of `whisking’ delegates, the moment they land at international airports to never-heard-of country side destinations located less than a couple of hours drive from major cities is a delightful change.
European villages, in the summer months, are a special treat in this regard. Modern and rustic at the same time, these tiny centres are especially idyllic and charming. One such lovely place is Dourdan, a little commune or French village near Paris, where I spent some days, officially attending a meeting, and unofficially discovering a wealth of happiness. Located on the river Orge, Dourdan left a lasting impression on me. And it wasn't just because of the few heritage structures, but because of the sights, smells, and sounds snugly wrapped withing an hours walk of Dourdan. Leisurely evening walks through streets lined with quaint houses with pretty home-gardens, stopping by at sleepy shops and bakeries selling local and often ingenious food and other sundry items, or simply hang out at the cobbled market square from the Middle Ages.... the feeling can be both therapeutic after a grueling day, as well as gift you with a host of pleasant memories of a place you might never consider visiting otherwise.
However, a `must-visit' at Dourdan is the 13th Century church and a castle, both of which underwent several phases of destruction and restoration before these were turned into a prison in the 18th century. The surrounding thin forest cover was once a favorite hunting ground among royalty, and presently adds to Dourdan’s pristine natural beauty.
Bina Thomas is a travel and heritage writer based in Trivandrum ( binatho@gmail.co )
Work related travel to world famous tourist destinations can be quite frustrating if the only breather in your meeting packed schedule are the short trips in the elevator when you journey between your room and conference hall in the same hotel building! Why go to far away exotic cities if all you get is a few hours to explore the city at the fag end of several days of brain-drain? However, the recent trend of `whisking’ delegates, the moment they land at international airports to never-heard-of country side destinations located less than a couple of hours drive from major cities is a delightful change.
European villages, in the summer months, are a special treat in this regard. Modern and rustic at the same time, these tiny centres are especially idyllic and charming. One such lovely place is Dourdan, a little commune or French village near Paris, where I spent some days, officially attending a meeting, and unofficially discovering a wealth of happiness. Located on the river Orge, Dourdan left a lasting impression on me. And it wasn't just because of the few heritage structures, but because of the sights, smells, and sounds snugly wrapped withing an hours walk of Dourdan. Leisurely evening walks through streets lined with quaint houses with pretty home-gardens, stopping by at sleepy shops and bakeries selling local and often ingenious food and other sundry items, or simply hang out at the cobbled market square from the Middle Ages.... the feeling can be both therapeutic after a grueling day, as well as gift you with a host of pleasant memories of a place you might never consider visiting otherwise.
However, a `must-visit' at Dourdan is the 13th Century church and a castle, both of which underwent several phases of destruction and restoration before these were turned into a prison in the 18th century. The surrounding thin forest cover was once a favorite hunting ground among royalty, and presently adds to Dourdan’s pristine natural beauty.
Bina Thomas is a travel and heritage writer based in Trivandrum ( binatho@gmail.co )
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