Morvan

This has traditionally been a poor region. The ground is granite. Nothing can be cultivated. Not even wine, even though we are in Burgundy. There is nothing here. That is why they designated the Morvan as a 'Parc naturel régional', which has upgraded the whole area and, for example, allows it to receive subsidies to maintain the forests.

In the past, however, this was the area where Parisians built their summer houses. This was an Eden for rich people. It was only a two-day coach journey away. It is still filled with castles that were built solely for the purpose of partying and hunting. That is how the original inhabitants still view the Parisians. Gérard, my old neighbor who was born here on the mountain, compared them to Colorado beetles. 'They jump on us, eat everything, and then they're gone.' The aversion ran deep.

Mediahuis België