I am deep into doing genealogical research, and it turns out that a large portion of my family came to the United States from a very rural and minimally populated area of Eastern France in the Haute-Saone department (specifically the villages of Chenebier, Etobon, and Hericourt.) I'm finding little information about the area aside from articles regarding Nazi occupation during WW2. It seems that the "largest" town that might be used as a base for stay would be Belfort. Anyone have any thoughts about traveling in this part of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region? It is a hidden gem? It seems undiscovered by tourists, judging by my lack of internet research success. Things to do / places to stay/eat? I am moved by the idea of taking my mother here, and allowing her to connect to an ancestral location but I'd also love suggestions on what other locales we might combine in the same trip. My mother adores country life and the hustle/bustle of cities are not really her jam. She enjoys art, and also gardening/horticulture, exploring bakeries, antiques, wineries, picturesque scenery, history museums, interesting architecture... I speak zero French (took ancient greek and latin in school) but my mother has an elementary knowledge of the language. Still, I'm concerned about the language barrier in a rural place. We are slow movers, and wouldn't be looking for a fast-paced itinerary. I was just curious if anyone had any additional resources to point me toward or knowledge of the area.
Posted by
Guernsey
741 posts
It does look lovely and it is so nice to explore areas that arent on the main tourism trail. Have you tried contacting the city Tourist Information Office? I also find searching for bloggers posts a useful source. And just had a look and the Michelin Guide Burgundy Jura covers that area.
Sounds exciting!
Posted by
Florida
498 posts
I don't know this area but I want to comment on the language issue. It has been our experience that people in rural areas of France will try to communicate with you despite the difference in languages and fluency. Don't get me wrong, some will try harder than others. Picture an average American when confronted with someone who only speaks French. Some people will not even try, some will try to communicate through gestures or a few mutually comprehensible words, some will go to great lengths. And in France there is a much higher awareness in general that everyone in the world doesn't speak your native language.
I think it is only polite to learn some French. Beyond the basic phrases, which you should learn, there are electronic translators and there are phrase books in which you could point to what you are trying to say. After the basic "hello, please," etc, I learned how to say "I'm sorry, I don't speak French very well." I use Pimsleur to expand my French but there are lots of language leaning programs out there. You can probably borrow one from the library.
We've had plenty of point-and-gesture conversations with merchants and others. I once asked for directions, got a fairly detailed reply and understood none of it. My wife, who spoke even less French than I, knew exactly what the man had been telling me, because she was watching his gestures while I was focused on trying to understand his words. Another time, a group of women were cleaning up a church social hall. I spoke only limited French, they spoke no English. But they tried really hard to understand my questions about how to find an out-of-the-way B&B. We could not understand one anothers' speech but when I pointed to the address in writing, one of the women got in her car and led us to the house.
You and your mother will enjoy the trip, I'm sure. Do what you can to learn some words and phrases but don't shy away from going because you aren't fluent in French.
Posted by
Portland, Maine
2916 posts
I actually stayed in Gray on my first trip to France 45 years ago.
We spent a couple of hours in Gray 2 years ago, and thought that the name was appropriate. It's one to give a miss.
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
Details of country bus services in Haute-Saone are here. Unfortunately, there does not appear to be a network map.
Posted by
OP
Bristol, CT
7 posts
Thank you everyone for your lovely replies! My mother is really "in" to paleontology / archeology and I had no idea about these Jura Mountains, so that is an added intellectual interest. Thank you! I feel reassured about the language barrier, especially since my Mom does have the basics down and her reading comprehension of signs/menus etc would be helpful. I will have to learn some basics for myself. I hope I can make this trip happen for her. Sounds like we will be skipping the town of "Gray!" ha, thank you for that advice. I'm going to dive into the blogosphere to try to find some more people who have taken trips in the area. I've been looking more to do in the Belfort area and that seems promising. Weirdly enough, I have had a lifetime hatred of "cheese" and the deep association this area has with cheese gave me a chuckle. Mom loves cheese though, so I'm alone in my loathing of it. :) Thanks again.