Some regions of France are well-known to non-European tourists, others are "invisible areas" that foreigners rarely visit. This is one of the lesser-known areas. Our hosts have it listed as "Brittany" because it is spitting distance from that area and Brittany is a place that Americans are familiar with (I cannot speak to the areas known to other non-French travelers as I am only familiar with American tourism).
In reality, this region is near the Loire-Atlantique and the Morihban, neither of which most North Americans have heard of or seen. As a result, we have traveled here for over a week and seen only one other American family.
That was in Rochefort-en-Terre, a well-preserved village whose half-timbered homes date from the 1600's. On the ground floor of each home is a pottery studio, art gallery or other quaint shop.
I was in a shop that sells the delicious hard ciders of the region when the American group I mentioned walked in. Hearing me discuss what I wanted to buy with my partner, the other family interrupted with a heart "Where ya from?" They live in a small town in the next state over from us. Having ascertained that we were from the same region they left the shop as quickly as they had entered.
We were very embarressed. They were not aware of the crucial French custom of greeting the shop's proprietor upon entering and bidding "Adieu" when leaving. This is considered very rude in France.
Of course, this is not something we were aware of when we first visited France. But a brief glance at any decent guide book reveals basic information like this. It's the kind of thing that home exchangers learn quickly. We are forced to interact with each country's residents on their own terms. We must shop in the same stores as local people, in the real neighborhoods where they live, not tourist towns.
Home exchange is broadening and enriching in many ways. Home exchangers are often the best cultural ambassadors. I urge you to become one where ever you travel.
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