During their prolonged and often off-the-beaten-track travels around the world, Judy and David Kashoff settled down for five months at the Quaker Center in Congénies, a village in France’s Languedoc region between Nimes and Montpellier. In this article, Judy explores both the beauty of their stay and the unique history of Quakers in France. David's accompanying photos can be seen by clicking here. There are about 350,000 Quakers worldwide, with some 500 in France.

Paris, February 2010—I get a thrill whenever I walk into the Folies Bergères, past its Art Deco façade and into its kitsch lobby that looks like something out of Dr. Seuss. Then to the seating at the first balcony that still has the old iron, wood, and velour feel of an authentic Paris music hall—preferably to the privileged box seats, front row. Or better still, to the higher comfort of the orchestra seating where, before the show starts, it’s easy to imagine that I’m awaiting the arrival of Josephine Baker or Mistinguett or Maurice Chevalier.