When we speed through France on the way to or from the exotic south is it wrong that we stick to autoroutes and minimise our costs at this new breed of cheap and cheerless 'auto'hotels? The French seem to lead the world in automated, cost effective and efficient stop offs. We eat, shower and sleep to an acceptable level whilst deferring the start of our true holiday time. And yet.....the staff are always so friendly and helpful at these stops, bringing a welcome humanity to the experience. Still, on a windswept night as we ascend the external metal stairway and gaze over the knobbled concrete paving to the distant service stations and toll booths we perhaps catch some deja-vu of the sixties nouvelle vague and the spirit of Jean-Luc Goddard. Perhaps we are really travelling in harmony with our times here.
- Pc Hotel
