Life in France: Monsieur All-About and his French Aixam Car
Living in France continually surprises us with the new things we learn. Let me tell you about one of the men in our village called Monsieur Yves, or as we dubbed him, Monsieur All-About. Monsieur All-About drives a very tiny car, which we later learned was an Aixam. Monsieur All-About seemed to drive in circles around the village all the time. Round and round he went.
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We'd see him drive past our house, drive past the local shop and make a turn at the intersection either choosing left or right. We'd see him again a short time later regardless of his left or right turn, and this time he'd stop at the shop and pick up a baguette, and then be on his merry way.
Monsieur All-About Gets Around
As sure as the sun rises each day, so would Monsieur All-About be about the next day also. This time he seemed to be having a drink and game of boules in the rear garden of the Tabac (small general store selling cigarettes and liquor). Waiting patiently in his car or near the steps of the store would be his friendly curly haired dog. Then, maybe a couple of hours later he'd be going around the village again, but in the opposite direction. Even when walking to the village lac (lake), he would sometimes be making his way around the lake on the narrow farm lanes.
For a couple of years we couldn't figure out this grey-haired, woollen-capped gentleman. Summer, winter, didn't matter he was always doing a circumnavigation around the village with his tiny little car, that sounds like a small lawnmower on steroids, and canine friend.
Driving An Aixam
Later we found out about the French rule of being able to drive a tiny car like the Aixam if you have a withdrawal or suspension of licence. You get given a second chance to continue to drive. So, I guess if you're down for drink driving, or too many driving offences, rather than taking away your ability to drive entirely, you are allowed to get about in an Aixam with its little motor and slower speed.
We've never worked out the reason Monsieur All-About drives his Aixam rather than a standard vehicle. I guess not that it matters much. He's happy. We have a chuckle as he passes us once again, his hand waving a greeting and his dog hanging his head out the window looking at much the same scenery as before! They're as happy as can be, and we have a friendly face that regularly passes by and greets us cheerfully.
Gotta love living in France!
