Mayonnaise, omelet, broth, rib steak... France is home to many culinary terms, and for good reason has an unofficial status of the gastronomic capital of the world. Famous wine and cheese are not the only "attractions" of Burgundy, Provence, Brittany, Normandy and Bordeaux. Familiarity with the legendary cooking requires from you more than one day and will leave a lasting impression to tourists, if you offer them a well thought out route and the most interesting and significant places. What are those?
The more refined tastes you know, the more successful is your gastronomic tour!
Which areas should be included in the route?
- Burgundy. Here gourmets will be offered the best French specialties as famous Camembert and old strong Calvados, exquisite taste marbled beef and truffles.
- Aquitaine. On the territory of this coastal region there are Arcachon oyster farms. Visitors can enjoy special oysters with parsley and shallots in a white wine sauce drinking a glass of Chardonnay.
- Normandy and Brittany. Among the abundance of national meat and fish dishes is worth a try classic bouillabaisse, a Marseilles fishermen soup, and fish in cider with almonds. For a snack you will be offered here a Norman duck pate, Vire or Chablis sausages, is mouthwatering!
- Gascony. This region will particularly like Musketeers fans: here you can taste their favorite drink Armagnac and foie gras of a fattened goose liver.
- Provence. In addition to its specialty ratatouille, fougasse bread is waiting for tourists, delicious garlic soup, tapenade which is a spread with olives, anchovies and capers, that has become the trademark of the area.
- Ile-de-France. You will remember it for its delicious cabbage pie with cream, Coulommiers cheese with noble mold and specialties like Macedonia and Bercy sauces.
A truly French delicacy Macedonia in Ile-de-France is prepared from fruits, syrup and ice cream
Rhône-Alpes is a legendary land, where are located the best French restaurants. It is here that are born the masterpieces of great chefs like Michel Troisgros, Mark Weir, Emmanuel Renaud, Georges Blanc, Anne-Sophie Pic, Paul Bocuse. Tourists certainly want to get to the master-class of any of them, it's possible to organize!
Culinary secrets of Paris
Make the route pass through such significant metropolitan places as:
- The Latin Quarter, to make the traveler try at least some of the 60 species of "haute" croissants;
- Avenue of Victor Hugo, where they sell the most delicious plain rolls with chocolate, or the Suffren avenue, the home of pastry with raisins;
- Louvre, not far from it they offer real French "baguette" with a crispy crust;
- Wine Museum, where you can taste drinks from different regions.
Without Paris steamed omelet with herbs, delicate croissants and fragrant coffee, the idea of French cooking will be incomplete
Making a wine route
French pride are the several kilometers-long cellars of Bordeaux, Champagne and other provinces.
- Show tourists the Bordeaux winery Château Mouton Rothschild, where they can see wineries and cellars, taste drinks and buy products with unique labels decorated with reproductions of famous artists.
- Pop in the old town of Saint-Émilion on the hillside and surprise customers by cellars carved in the rocks.
- Do not fail to pop in the good old Sauternes, famous for a rich glycerine wine from "noble rot" grape varieties. Over time, it gets a light peach flavor with a hint of toffee and becomes golden.
The French drink at least 90 liters of good wine a year
If you have to travel in November, it's a good occasion to visit the festival of young Beaujolais wine, which falls on the third Thursday of the month. During the previous week in restaurants and bistros are held exciting contests, are put up posters with the world-famous slogan Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé! (Beaujolais Nouveau has arrived!). The atmosphere involves and leaves no one indifferent!
You’ll remember for a long time the journey to the town of Cognac in the Charente department. In mid-July there is held the famous cognac festival. If the trip falls on the other time, a tour to the traditional cognac production or cognac Museum will leave a lasting impression.
The secret of a successful gastronomic tour is an abundance of flavors that you can try out in peaceful surroundings, without haste and bustle, alone with your own feelings. Is better to make this trip not within a noisy group, but with a private guide who will take you to the most vivid culinary places and will faithfully preserve the delicate gourmet taste.
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