A Gastronomic Trip to The Tarn: Although I have travelled widely in France, I continue to find new and unique pockets of the country which surprise and delight. The Tarn, a Departement in France that is situated to the North East of Toulouse is part of Occitanie – a region with its own cultural heritage […]
A Peek at Paris – Musée d’Orsay
Paris, so the saying goes, is always a good idea. Especially if you happen to have a voucher for a free Eurostar ticket in leisure premium no less… The last time I was in Paris, I had intended to revisit Musée d’Orsay. I first went there about 30 years ago and went back some years […]
St. Martin de Belleville
Skiing and Gastronomy – A Marriage Made in St Martin de Belleville: One of the best-known regions for skiing in the world, the 3 Valleys comprises eight resorts, each with their own unique flavour. Perhaps you’ve already visited Courchevel or Meribel? St Martin de Belleville is in the largest valley of the 3 valleys along […]
Le Pont D’Avignon and More
Everyone Dances in Avignon: There are those places you drive through or pass through on the train that you always intend to visit one day. Avignon, for me, falls firmly into that category. I’ve visited Provence and the South of France on many occasions and always been charmed by the ambience and architecture of this […]
A Foraged Feast at Hotel Benvengudo.
Building Tradition with Terroir – Hotel Benvengudo: One of the highlights of my last visit to Provence was a trip to Brantes to go foraging with Les Aventurières du Goût . So, I am well aware of the wealth of edible plants and flowers growing in the region. Hotel Benvengudo, though, is a fabulous four-star hotel […]
Perrier-Jouët – A Love Story
A visit to the Perrier-Jouët Cellars in Epernay: If Mumm is the champagne for sporting heroes, the other champagne house in the Pernod Ricard portfolio, Perrier-Jouët is the beautiful, romantic heroine waiting for her prince. Perrier-Jouët has a long standing association with the Arts and throughout our visit we were constantly surprised by the works of art […]
Only the Best – Champagne for Champions and Kings
Learning about Mumm Cordon Rouge in Reims: There was a sense of anticipation when we arrived in Reims at the House of Mumm. Our invitation – to learn more about how the ‘Chef de Cave’ blends still wines to create those magic bubbles – had taken us across the Channel to the heart of Champagne […]
Making Côtes du Rhône – Blending at Château Maucoil, Southern Rhône
What’s in the Blend? hands on wine blending at Château Maucoil in the Southern Rhône: Sometimes trips to vineyards and wineries get a little overwhelming. Every appellation in France has its its own set of rules (and a vineyard and winery can cover more than one appellation). Every winemaker has their own method. And, then there’s […]
Terroir – Travels Through the Rhône Valley
French Favourites in Provence, Ardèche and Gard – Touring the Southern Rhône: While my command of the French language borders on school-girl, it’s a musical language I love to hear spoken. Partly for a few French words, each with an inate poetry and an indefinable element. My favourite is ‘sympa’ or ‘sympathique’. Unlike the English ‘sympathetic’, […]
Charente Maritime and French Lifestyle with Lavender & Lovage
A Birthday Celebration and the Birth of a New Cookery School: I share the same birthday as Karen from Lavender & Lovage’s husband Malcolm. I was thrilled when she suggested I joined in the celebrations for *his* (which was quite a significant one) by visiting them in France. I’ve been meaning to go for a […]