It can be said that the contrast between this culturally and historically valuable city and Eindhoven is striking. It demands the flexibility to adjust to lower wine prices, richer coffee and a wider variety of available cheeses. No wholegrain sandwiches but baguettes, no glass of fresh milk but a cup of orange juice and peanut butter? Unheard of. Eating out is something for after half past seven in the evening and days that don’t involve chocolate croissants are futile.

And the people? Courteous and reputable. They stroll through life elegantly, neatly dressed in accordance with the latest fashion. With free entry for students for festivals, concerts and expositions they demonstrate their deep appreciation for art and culture. They travel everywhere by car or tram, but make up for their high wine- and cheese consumption through excessive jogging.

But how does the Erasmus student from Eindhoven cope with this new habitat? Shortly upon arrival she found the accounts she had heard to be correct: the French really do only speak French. With no way of sharing her knowledge with her environment and vice versa, she kept her surroundings under close observation. At this moment however, she happily converses in French and knows how to get around, though only by bike because let’s be honest, a bit of national pride never harmed anyone.