Acknowledgments

This exploration of France's regional diversity owes debts to countless individuals who shared their stories, meals, and insights across the hexagon. From Breton fishermen to Savoyard cheese makers, from Alsatian vintners to Corsican shepherds, the voices in this book belong to those who live these regional identities daily.

Special recognition goes to the language teachers and cultural activists working to preserve and revive regional languages, often with limited resources but unlimited passion. The staff of regional museums, archives, and cultural centers provided invaluable assistance in understanding local histories and traditions.

Any errors of fact or interpretation remain the author's responsibility, while the truths contained herein belong to the people of France's many regions who continue to demonstrate that diversity enriches rather than divides.

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