Only a small strip of water divides us from France but beyond it lies a cultural divide and a country which can truly claim to offer everything for the holidaymaker.

From the rolling greenery of Normandy to the baking promenades of the Cote d’Azur, France is a country of the widest contrasts, scenery, culinary delights, fine wines and history.

Many Third Agers will have discovered the delights of France in their schooldays. I certainly did and have continued to explore and enjoy them all my life. Judging by the enormous amount of holidays available on the Internet, through travel agents and in magazines, I am not alone.

Everyone will have their own particular favourite and if you spent a lifetime trying to see all of the country you would fail for sure. This is geographically the largest country in Europe with the smallest population, but, in my opinion, the population with the biggest hearts.

France has wonderful education, health and social care systems and a respect of all age groups, each for the other, which we would do well to copy in many ways. In no other European country will you hear the words “please” and “thank you” expressed in quite so many ways. The people exude a “politesse” (politeness), most especially if you respect their culture and traditions, and an ambience which, sadly, it is rare to experience in the United Kingdom.

To begin to list every region and its resorts in one feature would be impossible so we intend to revisit this treasure of a country more than once over the coming months so you savour with us that certain “je ne sais quoi”.

Many of us first experienced France by a visit to Paris. I did in 1971, and I suppose it helped flavour the romance of the city that I was playing host to 16 beauty contest entrants for the day! Happy memories.

Other early visits were to Normandy which has the most beautiful green rolling countryside dotted with delightful towns and villages. Here you will see the landing beaches of the Second World War and the strangely haunting mulberry harbour at Arromanches where the D-Day landings began. Built to last six months, the structure stands as a permanent memorial to this epic part of world history.

The war cemeteries are worthy of a visit, not just to pay respects but to stand in awe and admire the immaculate condition in which they are kept. Even the smallest village may have its own cemetery to the fallen and each is kept just as immaculate by a local resident.

In this region you will find Bayeux, Falaise, birthplace of William the Conqueror, Honfleur and a countryside full of delights. The inns, or auberges, offer some hidden culinary treasures and an ambience which is in all too short supply today. What better way to spend a summer afternoon than lazing with a glass of red wine after a delicious meal?

Laze your way into the evening in a landscape of ever changing colours which inspired Monet and his masterpieces, and then do it all again!

Stay in well appointed hotels or take a country cottage, you will find standards are often high, always comfortable, and normally you pay per room instead of per person and breakfast is usually included.

Try the language, if only a little, and you will find the French will help you to learn more. Respect their ways and their country and they will love you for it.

My happiest memory of Normandy is staying at a small auberge near Caen. On Sunday afternoon cars suddenly began arriving from every direction. Everyone was in their colourful best clothing and soon there were 100 people sitting and laughing under the shade of a huge chestnut tree.

Then the music started and so did an outside dance and celebration which lasted until long after midnight. Lovely food and delicious wine flowed for hours and every age group loved the occasion.

We see nothing like that in this country. Vive la difference!

Graham Smith for Third Age.