Rest Stops à la Français

Your standard American rest area on an interstate toll road is little more than a bad vending machine. Forty years ago rest areas were run by Howard Johnson in the northeast, Stuckey’s in the south, and other chains elsewhere. If you drive the New Jersey Turnpike these days, you might find a Roy Rogers, Subway, or other fast-food franchise. Haute cuisine? Forget about it!
On the other hand, French Autoroutes (national highways) have real restaurants at rest areas. These aires are spread about 15-20 miles apart. At some you can get real French baguettes or pastries from a chain called Paul. On our way out of Paris, we had a cafeteria meal at an aire. Julian had braised rabbit with vegetables, while I had a vegetable platter and soup. The price was quite reasonable, unlike the price-gouging that occurs on US interstates. You can stretch your legs, have a civilized meal without exiting the Autoroute, and resume driving. In addition, the gas stations at aires have reasonable prices. Think about that next time you’re hungry and low on gas on the NY State Thruway or Massachusetts Turnpike.