What about a piece on the rapid growth of neo-druidism in the hills above Seyssel-Ain?
I've heard that amateur archeologists were able to determine that a spring-fed public washhouse was once the cultic site of a half-legendary college of druidesses.
Even though the druids were suppressed throughout Roman Gaul, their spiritual descendants still harvest mistletoe throughout the region just before the winter solstice every year.
I do believe I'm sensing a bit of irony... seeing as I live in those very same hills, I have a spring-fed wash house (lavoir) and yes, we do harvest mistletoe... 😆
I find this borderline between the two Seyssels fascinating. I imagine that reuniting the two municipalities would be almost impossible, considering that it would require changing the boundaries of two départements... and then which one, Ain or Haute-Savoie, would win the jackpot?
Exactly! Each has something... the Haute-Savoie is wealthier, but the Ain has the better real estate. Seems we also have better weather and fiber optics 😆 But then, the Haute-Savoie has the reputation, more shops, and Annecy! and so on... Remember when departmental numbers on licence plates were abolished? That adds to the confusion... I may be from the Ain (01) but my car is from the Haute-Savoie (74). I once got scolded for using the garbage bin at the bottom of my hill by someone with a 01 plate, who smugly told me the bin was reserved for "locals" who pay their municipal taxes here... It was all sorted when I explained, but these little things still seem to matter...
My pleasure! I should also add that I’m French, and every day I find out things about my own country that surprise or shock me or that I didn’t know before. Part of the beauty of France, for me, is it its complexity… 😃
What about a piece on the rapid growth of neo-druidism in the hills above Seyssel-Ain?
I've heard that amateur archeologists were able to determine that a spring-fed public washhouse was once the cultic site of a half-legendary college of druidesses.
Even though the druids were suppressed throughout Roman Gaul, their spiritual descendants still harvest mistletoe throughout the region just before the winter solstice every year.
I do believe I'm sensing a bit of irony... seeing as I live in those very same hills, I have a spring-fed wash house (lavoir) and yes, we do harvest mistletoe... 😆
I find this borderline between the two Seyssels fascinating. I imagine that reuniting the two municipalities would be almost impossible, considering that it would require changing the boundaries of two départements... and then which one, Ain or Haute-Savoie, would win the jackpot?
Exactly! Each has something... the Haute-Savoie is wealthier, but the Ain has the better real estate. Seems we also have better weather and fiber optics 😆 But then, the Haute-Savoie has the reputation, more shops, and Annecy! and so on... Remember when departmental numbers on licence plates were abolished? That adds to the confusion... I may be from the Ain (01) but my car is from the Haute-Savoie (74). I once got scolded for using the garbage bin at the bottom of my hill by someone with a 01 plate, who smugly told me the bin was reserved for "locals" who pay their municipal taxes here... It was all sorted when I explained, but these little things still seem to matter...
Ohh, mais cette histoire pour des poubelles mériterait d’être incluse dans un livre à la Peter Mayle ! 😅
Very interesting, Leyla, I hope to visit the area sometime in the near future!
Yet another fascinating piece of French culture that I didn't know, despite living in France since 1978. thank you!
My pleasure! I should also add that I’m French, and every day I find out things about my own country that surprise or shock me or that I didn’t know before. Part of the beauty of France, for me, is it its complexity… 😃
i fully agree! I love the diversity and variety of France.