Walking the Hexagon: An Escape Around France on Foot

by Terry Cudbird

?In this fascinating book, Terry Cudbird reveals the obsession that is long distance walking. His itinerary covered the six sides of the French hexagon. In a years walking he passed through the Pyrenees, the Languedoc, Provence, the Alps, the Jura, Alsace, Lorraine, Picardy, Normandy, Brittany, and Aquitaine. En route he discovered the astonishing variety of Frances regions, their culture, history, languages, architecture, and food.

Genres: Nonfiction, France, Travel

279 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2012

Reviews

[Lili · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walking The Hexagon exceptionally pleased to have received this as a Goodreads First Read.

For lovers of France this is an interesting and enlightening read, the author recounts his adventures and also anecdotes from people he met during his travels. The mainly solitary walk he undertook was predominately through rural France, trekking over mountains and meadows, starting in The Pyrenees circling France and culminating at Lourdes, “Walking The Hexagon” a total distance of 4,000 miles. What struck me most in the course of reading this book are the extraordinary disparate lifestyles of people in rural villages compared to those in urban communities.

As he passes through the towns, villages and countryside we are given an insight into local people’s lives of today and also the history of their area; it is full of interesting morsels and some little known facts emerge that entertain the reader. A book of many facts, superb scenic descriptions and potted histories of the regions he walked through; a convivial and enjoyable read.

The book is illustrated with maps and photos; 279 pages in all, printed in a very small type face. It is in fact quite a long book, therefore to do it justice and to digest accordingly, I decided the best way forward was to read it serial form, a chapter at a time; a delightful book.

[Carol Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who actively studies French, has savored both hiking and biking excursions in France, and pretty much lives to walk (or otherwise read about walking), a tale of tramping 4,000 miles around the vast perimeter of France sounded right up my alley. And there is much to recommend this account – lots of insightful history, rich description, and interesting encounters with locals. One gains a good sense of each of the many, varied regions along France’s border. Mr. Cudbird’s walk around the hexagon is quite an accomplishment. I fully agree with him that he is likely the only person to ever have undertaken such a journey.

I especially enjoyed aspects of his walk that mirrored some of my own walking experiences. At the very beginning of his walk, for example, he tells a tale of petting a dog who then stuck to him for the rest of the day. We had the very same experience this summer on a two-week hike in Slovenia. We met this friendly guy:



…who we then just could not shake off. We handed him off to some local “policija” at the end of the day, who were able to quickly identify and contact his owner.

I also enjoyed the Jura section because we hiked there ourselves in 2007 and passed through some of the very same towns as he (e.g., Chappelle-des-Bois). I read his description of tartiflette - a rich dish of potatoes, ham, cream, and cheese - aloud to my husband. We also had it while there and are convinced it’s the richest dish ever devised by man.

I greatly appreciated the fact that his travels did not just take him through the touristic parts of France. He trudged through industrial parks and soulless suburbs as well, conversing with many locals about their deep economic anxieties. In the distant future, I think, his book will be rediscovered and will generate tremendous academic interest. It’s an anthropological work that captures the 2011 French zeitgeist of the day – the angst and anxiety of Europe’s future.

I am determined to make one of the dishes he describes: ficelle picarde (p. 182). It’s a crepe with ham and mushrooms in a cream sauce, topped by gruyere cheese. Sounds divinely rich. Will add a photo to this review when I do.

Despite all these pluses, I am giving it three stars. Why? It’s not for lack of drama. The author himself states at the very beginning that “Some readers might expect a book packed with heroic incidents and exotic adventures, in which case they may find my story disappointing.” No, that’s not it. It’s more an issue of style. It reads like an agglomeration of personal journal, walker’s hostel reviews, food critique, and historical notes. Very informative but not particularly moving. Mr. Cudbird shares his personal life with us by recounting his challenges caring for aging parents throughout his walk, yet I still found it difficult to get inside his shoes and fully experience the walk through his eyes, through his mind. He’s a practical and pragmatic Englishman who accomplished an amazing feat in a practical and pragmatic way and therefore - naturally - describes it in a practical and pragmatic manner. Just a stylistic thing that may not prove an issue for others.

Congratulations Mr. Cudbird, on a very fine journey!

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illuminating and fascinating, this is a journey not to miss!

The freedom, experience and challenge of long-distance walking is explored in this wonderful and captivating book, that follows the journey of the author on foot around France. Understanding the obsession through discovery, this account is one that is intensely gripping from beginning to end as you travel along the path into the unknown. Covering all parts of France from Normandy to Province in a year, one discovers French culture, their history and architecture, lifestyle, language and food. This enormous feat was not without its ups and downs, dramatic and unexpected outcomes alongside all manner of weather conditions; it certainly was not for the fainthearted. This exciting adventure had me sitting on the edge of my seat throughout, as I was swept away by the detailed descriptions of a most fascinating country that is steeped in interesting history and extraordinary in its culture. I was utterly mesmerized by the architecture that intrigued me, as someone who appreciates art and the construction of buildings in general (for an example as in Ken Follett’s the pillars of the earth, about the building of a magnificent cathedral). The stories of the French citizens were diverse and remarkable, each memorable and distinctive individual making Terry’s journey even more outstanding. From pilgrims and farmers working on the land, this tale is full of fascinating facts and poignant moments. Walking can be for some a way of escaping something, but here Terry uses the time to think and come to an understanding about his past and his parents. Old age and the inevitable fear of loosing someone is something that is hard for us all to accept, and this part of the author’s story I could most relate and connect to. Living as each day comes and looking forward to the future whilst aiming to enjoy life, is all we can hope for and I certainly feel that if you want to do something in life then you should go for it! This is not just a tale of an adventure but a real account of something that anyone can attempt, with the saying that the sky is the limit. For those of you who dream of traveling around the world then this inspiring and empowering book, will be an essential guide to have with you. Also to those readers who take pleasure from walking and/or long-distance, then this will heighten your love of enjoying that freedom and independence of spirit. Adorned with beautiful photographs this is a book to treasure and is certainly going to the top of my bookshelf. As someone who enjoys discovering new things, journeying through literature to new places and going on a thrilling adventure, reading this book was both exciting and delightful as everything came vividly to life.

I would like to thank the author for having his book on GoodReads as a first-read giveaway, which I concider myself extremely lucky to have won as it was something that caught my eye instantly. I love exploring new things, seeing new sights and learning about other cultures and customs hence this blew me away completely.
(4 1/2 stars)

[Karen Kirkham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was very lucky to win this book from goodreads !! After reading this book i decided i want to walk around france too !!