Being in France, being anywhere in Europe, was such a dramatic change for the better from the Southern Tier, that our reaction is a bit coloured. On the other hand, we have felt pretty much the same in past years. The food here, the ultra quaint villages, and the usually polite drivers, are just a joy. However, ever place has its plusses and minuses. So here is our list:

Plusses:

Real bread, luscious pastries.
High quality shelf stable foods and refrigerated prepared foods in supermarkets
The extensive network of small "D" - departmental roads
Our own ability to speak the language. Unlike in Quebec, patience of the people with us mangling the grammar.
Super quaint villages
Excellent road signs showing the way to next villages
Closeness to history and events that were of worldwide importance
Friendly and helpful people
Many post offices
Lots of camping opportunities, including wild camping

Minusses

D roads are still roads, and unless you stick to the most indirect ones traffic can at times be troublesome.
No shoulders on any roads
Random closure times for everything, including post offices
Bank (HSBC France anyway) inefficient and unhelpful
Toilet paper not provided at organized campsites