So the new guide might just tempt you to combine your trip with some cycling to improve your fitness and to enjoy the French landscape, sights and sounds at a more leisurely speed than that of the car.

Bien sûr, you know how beautiful France is. Well, consider this: it looks even lovelier when seen from two wheels. The soaring Alps…the château-dotted Loire?even surprisingly cycle-friendly Paris – no wonder cyclotouristes have been coming here since the 19th century.

Whether you want a gourmand’s tour through vineyard and farmland, or to conquer the principal climbs of the Tour de France in the High Alps, this guide gives you the best of France on two wheels.

Itineraries to suit all fitness levels

Elevation charts and detailed maps

Comprehensive listings for sleeping, eating and facilities along the way

Comprehensive coverage of Corsica

For more info see Cycling France (Lonely Planet Cycling Guide)

Lucy married a Frenchman, and was  fascinated by the different attitudes to life, sex, war, manners, TV, maternity and history which pervade the French. They clearly have an alternative world and local view, the roots of which she tries to describe and explain (often from personal experience) – but also with evidence from history and events. She describes how her own children grew up accepting many of these “foreign” attitudes.

Perhaps next time you see President Sarkozy or even retired President Chirac flirting with an attractive younger woman you might understand it better having read this book.

“The Secret Life of France challenges our preconceptions and debunks may of the myths – bleak and rosy – on which our view of France rests, Might we have something to learn from this most beguiling and infuriating neighbour?”

A visit to a flea market can be the highlight of a trip to France: a lively encounter with everyday French culture, an exciting way to spend a few hours, and a chance to pick up a unique souvenir or add to a collection. The Flea Markets of France is the indispensable tool for getting the most out of your visit, whether you’re a first-time visitor or an experienced shopper. Conversational and comprehensive, this guide will tell you everything you need to know about exploring markets all over France. Descriptions of markets and their specialties, as well as practical advice on visiting them, is augmented by notes on regional items, tips on bargaining and collecting, a glossary of relevant French phrases, and a useful rating system which gives an overview of each market. Much more than a simple listing of French flea markets, Sandy Price’s warm suggestions of things to do nearby, places to eat, food specialties of the area, and local amenities are complemented by bits of history and cultural observations. Armed with this comprehensive guide, visitors to France will feel they are in good, reliable hands.

I remember a long hunt for an old-fashioned Ricard water bottle, which was eventually successful in the delightful town of l’Isle -sur-Sorgues in Provence – before it became famous as a mecca for antique dealers and hunters who arrive by the coachload. It also led  to discovering a few other gems in the midst of the piles of dross. A guide to where to find flea markets would have been useful.

Amongst the flea markets feature are Annecy (74 Hautre-Savoie), Antibes (06 Alpes-Maritimes), Arles (13 Bouches-du-Rhone), Avignon (84 Vaucluse), Bordeaux(33 Gironde), Belfort(90 Terrotoire de Belfort), Cannes(06 Alpes-Maritimes), Carpentras(84 Vaucluse), Grenoble(38 Isere), l’Isle-sur-Sorgues(84 Vaucluse), Lyon (69 Rhone), Menton(06 Alpes-Maritimes), Montpellier(34 Herault), Nantes (44 Loire-Atlantique), Nice(06 Alpes-Maritimes) , Orleans(42 Loiret), Paris (75 Ile de France), Rouen(76 Seine-Maritime), Strasbourg (67 Bas-Rhin), Toulouse (32 Haute-Garonne), Tours(37 Indre-et-Loire) – and many more.

For more info see a Guide to The Flea Markets of France

In English there is always the Lonley Planet Guide Cycling France (Cycling Guide)(new edition published July 2009) “Here’s a sampling: in Paris you can take the bike paths along the Seine or all the way to Monet’s gardens in Giverny. The Loire Valley offers intimate excursions by sandstone villages, magnificent chateaux and scenic waterways. Take the tiny, winding roads of Provence to see perched villages and spectacular panoramas of the Cote d’Azur, or dip into Champagne for the terraced vineyards of Dom Perignon. For those up to the challenge, there’s the dramatic volcanic landscape of the Massif Central, with its steep climbs and sweeping descents. The Guide includes a chapter on the island of Corsica with its rugged coastal scenery and prehistoric sites.”

- official tourism site for Paris and the Ile de France (www.pidf.com)

“Yes, noisy, bustling Paris has its quiet corners, and this attractive book describes them in loving detail. Most of the places mentioned here are out of doors and open to the public. The places range from museum courtyards and royal gardens to 15th Century cloisters and tiny passageways to the back streets and lanes of the various neighborhoods. Some famous sites are here (Luxembourg Gardens) but so are unknown treasures such as the Irish Cultural Center, housed in a townhouse used by the Irish Catholic collegiate community since 1775, or Paris’ lesser-known islands. And few places are as quiet as the city’s evocative cemeteries.” -The Chicago Tribune

Even if you can’t get there in the near future, it represents an interesting read which will doubtless set you planning your next trip.

In April 2008, 22 students from the Photographic department were welcomed each in one of the 22 participating cities. The participants ranged in age between 20 and 35 years old, as well as originating from 15 different countries. Each student was given an “emotional passport” to express their own talent and sense and to capture the daily life of France. Their only requirement: let the dreams and emotions of the people and places be the guide!

The venues include Aix-en-Provence, Amiens, Angers, Avignon, Bordeaux, Dijon, Grenoble, Le Havre, Lille, Marseille, Metz, Montpellier, Mulhouse, Nancy, Nantes, Nice, Nimes, Reims. Rennes, Rouen, Toulouse and Versailles.

For more info see www.franceemotion.com/

Besancon the capital of Franche-Comté, has just been declared as a Unesco World Heritage site.
Fortified by Vauban, it has been recognised for its outstanding universal value by the World Heritage Committee.

The town’s Christmas Market offers carol singing, arts and crafts, local products, folk dancing and other street entertainment.

For more info see www.besancon-tourisme.com

Besancon is also famous for being the birthplace of celebrity chef Raymond Blanc, proprietor of the Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons in Oxfordshire and host of the BBC series “The Restaurant“.
Monsieur Blanc has just published a new book A Taste of My Life:

Raymond Blanc knows more about food and cooking than pretty much anyone else on earth, and his life to date has been a search for culinary perfection. Now, for the first time, he tells the story of that search and shares the secrets he has learned along the way.

The Quercy Blanc – named for its white stone – is a wild and sparsely populated area of rural France, squeezed between the great wine trading port of Bordeaux and the fizzing city of the south, Toulouse. It’s home to the goose and the grape, sumptuous foiegras, the mysterious black truffle and world famous Agen prunes. There are miles of walnut groves and, most important of all, acres of vines. The author introduces us to some colourful local characters, freezes from the kneecaps down whilst braving the famous winter truffle market in Lalbenque, throws herself with Gallic gusto into numerous fetes and uncovers traces of the luminaries who once called this place home. From Champollion, who translated the Rosetta stone, to the illustrious Eleanor of Aquitaine, whose marriage to Henry Plantagenet brought the area to the English crown.

Ideal winter reading in the UK, conjuring up the warmth and richness of life in South West France.

For more info – White Stone, Black Wine: OR get an Amazon Gift Certificates.

The Truffle Market in Lalbenque (46 Lot, Midi-Pyrenees) takes place every Tuesday from the first Tuesday in December through to mid-March. For more info see www.lalbenque.net

For more on Quercy on FrenchDuck see http://frenchduck.com

The Discovery of France

Illuminating, engrossing and full of surprises, “The Discovery of France” is a literary exploration of a country few will recognize; from maps and migration to magic, language and landscape, it’s a book that reveals the ‘real’ past of France to tell the whole story – and history – of this remarkable nation. ‘With gloriously apposite facts and an abundance of quirky anecdotes and thumbnail sketches of people, places and customs, Robb, on brilliant form, takes us on a stunning journey through the historical landscape of France’ – “Independent”. ‘Certain books strain the patience of those close to you. How many times can you demand: ‘Look at this! Can you imagine? Did you know that?’ without actually handing over the volume? This is such a book’ – “Mail on Sunday”. ‘An extraordinary journey of discovery that will delight even the most indolent armchair traveller’ – “Daily Telegraph”.

The Discovery of France by Graham Robb

As for internet access the picture is patchy and a little unpredictable. Naturally the major cities are well provided with internet cafes and high speed residential connections. But even in the most isolated areas some high speed internet speeds are available, often supported by local authorities, seeing the web as a valuable asset in supporting the local economy and stemming population drift to the major conurbations.

For the traveller in France the picture is improving rapidly – internet cafes can be found in many towns and villages – the cafe owners recognising that this will give them an extra edge in attracting customers,
Most of the major hotel chains such as upmarket Mercure and Novotel and even budget hotels such as Ibis, Etap and Forumule One will offer Wi-Fi (pronounced “wiffee”). Of course, your needs will depend on whether you carry a portable PC or other device with you – but even then many hotels, including small independents, will offer a free terminal in reception with access to the internet.
Now campsites are following suit, such that the Michelin Guide to Camping in France now includes symbols for internet access. We recently visited an idyllic campsite on the Brittany coast where you could have a delightful view over the coastline, whilst tapping away on your computer catching up on your emails – all included in the campsite fee. But although its good to be able to do so, with scenery like that the keyboard and screen seem an unwelcome diversion.
There are other offerings from the main French mobile phone networks – including a wireless 3G USB key (cle internet 3G) similar to that available in the UK from networks such as Vodafone. Depending on your needs and budget you can purchase a pay-as-you-go Internet USB device with no contract – e.g. SFR offer one for €99 and for each day you want to use it the cost is €10 per day for 24-hour access; Orange and the other networks offer similar options – you may need a French bank account and/or a French address to sign up to some of the plans. However, roaming fees on the main UK mobile phone networks can be very expensive for data – check with the operator before you leave.

UPDATE The Geant Casino Hypermarket in Brest (29 Finistere, Brittany) offers free wi-fi throughout the shopping mall.

The French networks also offer a wide coverage on WiFi Hotspots – for many of which you can purchase airtime online or by subscribing to a network before arriving in France such as Freedom4Wifi

The Telegraph (19 Aug 08) includes a boat trip up the Rhone Valley as one of its top 10 river cruises:

Navigating France’s mightiest river is a favourite for wine aficionados and foodies. A cruise through Burgundy and Provence gives you the chance to visit vineyards (think Côtes du Rhône and Châteauneuf-du-Pape), explore Lyon – the gourmet capital of France – and enjoy historic towns such as the fortified city of Avignon and the Roman ruins in Arles. The countryside is equally superb: its fields of lavender and sunflowers were an inspiration for artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, and as the river drains into the Mediterranean you’ll see the famous white horses of the Camargue.

The route includes many worthwhile stops for visits to suit all tastes, but it is also remarkably rich in potential wine visits as you’ll pass through appellations such as Costieres de Nimes, Cotes du Rhone (north and south), Lirac, Tavel, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, St Joseph and Hermitage – and if you branch onto the River Saone north of Lyon you can explore Beuajolais and southern Burgundy!

It should come as little surprise that rivers and canals tend to offer good access to good vineyards – vines often grow best on the steep valley sides with their good drainage and aspect to the sun.

A more modest trip than the Rhone, could be a canal trip from Auxerre (89 Yonne, Burgundy) close to Chablis and down the Canal de Bourgogne to Dijon and the Burgundy vineyards; or a trip down the Canal Lateral de la Loire for Sancerre AC, Pouilly-Fumé and Coteaux Giennois. By using the Canal du Nivernais and the Canal de Briare you could even manage a circular route via Auxerre.

Of course, Rick Stein’s French Odyssey was based on a canal trip along the Canal du Midi and the Canal Lateral de la Garonne and included the vineyards of Bordeaux, Cotes du Marmandais, Buzet, Fronton, Minervois, Corbieres and the Coteaux du Languedoc.

For another set of options try Hilary Wright’s book Water into Wine: A Wine Lover’s Journey Through The Waterways of France which also includes itineraries in the lower Loire. Cognac, Alsace, Lorraiine and the Lot.

For more info on the canals of France see the website for VNF (Voies Navigable de la France) now much improved and in English!

A biodynamic wine is essentially an organic wine, avoiding pesticides and fertilisers in the vineyard and (as far as possible) any artifical chemicals in the winemaking process. But there is also an added “cosmic” dimension which determines key stages in the winemaking process from vine to bottle which are influenced by the phases of the moon and alignment of the planets.

Other examples of Biodynamic vineyards are Domaine Leflaive and Domaine Leroy in Burgundy, Domaine Huet in Vouvray and Coulée de Serrant in the small Loire appellation of Savennieres.

Few are convinced that this approach is more than just a little bizarre, or that it produces distinctly better wines, although each of the established vineyards listed do have an excellent reputation.

Channel 4 will be showing a 6-part series about an Englishman’s quest to create a biodynamic wine in the Roussillon in the south of France starting on 4 September 2008 with Chateau Monty

Top wine critic and author, Monty Waldin, has decided to put his money where his opinionated mouth is and pack it all in to make wine biodynamically in rural France. He has just over a year to turn 5.4 acres into top selling organic wine. Renovating an old cabin on his vineyard so he can babysit his vines 24/7, his only company will be his donkey and occasionally his high maintenance girlfriend Silvana when she jets in from Italy. Regarded by peers as a bit loopy because of his views about Biodynamics, and even as the enfant terrible of the wine world (he’s upset the establishment for his harsh criticisms of the wine industry), Monty’s nonetheless forged a successful career and written several award-winning books…But now he’s abandoning life behind the laptop for a new one making his own wine in the French Pyrenees.

As always there is a book to accompany the series – Chateau Montyand respected wine merchant Adnams is stocking the wine – Monty’s Red 2007, Vin de Pays des Cotes Catalanes – “The aromas of young, herby red fruits and a lively, juicy mouthful of charmingly rustic hedgrow flavours.”
If you want to know more about Biodynamic wines, here is our list of suggested reading:-
Nicolas Joly (owner of Coulée de Serrant) – Biodynamic Wine, Demystified
Monty Waldin (of Chateau Monty) – Biodynamic Wines
George Andrews and Nicolas Joly’s Wine from Sky to Earth: Growing & Appreciating Biodynamic Wine
Wendy E Cook’s The Biodynamic Food and Cookbook: Real Nutrition That Doesn’t Cost the Earth

UPDATE:-
Jamie Goode, writing in the Sunday Express (17 Aug 08) adds: Think of biodynamic wines as “supercharged version of organic,” he says. Work in the vineyard is fitted in around the alignment of the moon and the planets, and growers claim it has improved the quality of their wine. Some of his recommendations include:-

• 2006 Chapoutier Organic Côtes du Rhône, France (£7.99, Waitrose)
• 2005 Bertie Collection Syrah, Minervois, France (£7.99, Oddbins)
• 2004 Didier Barral Faugeres “Jadis”, France (£17.30, Les Caves de Pyrene)

The trouble with writing about “hidden” corners of France, is that you run the danger of sharing the secret with too many others. Places which I felt were “real France”, quiet, peaceful and unspoilt, have often changed in the last 20 years, becoming commercialised, crowded and bland. But, somehow the location and geography of the upper Lot Valley probably make this less likely.

Although I have made many visits to the lower Lot, especially around the town of Cahors and the Cahors AC vineyards, I had only ventured up-river once – and that was to the picturesque village of St Cirq-la-Popie – perched high on the limestone crags overlooking the valley about 20 miles distant. The valley even here is quite different to the lower Lot where the river, although still pleasingly curvaceous, tends to be wider.

Few vineyards are to be found upriver from Cahors, but the countryside of the Upper Lot and Célé valleys is spectacular – and quieter. The limestone crags and cliffs dominate the landscape offer breathtaking views – and although the roads are often narrow and distinctly bendy, this tends to have the effect of entering a land where time runs more slowly, where nature makes itself felt – and that is miles away from the tourist centres of the Dordogne. And the journey keeps unfolding as you head on up the valley – another 90 miles in our case.

Our objective was to get to meet with Americans Lance and Rain who have 3 cottages to rent near Entraygues-sur-Truyere ( 12 Aveyron, Midi-Pyrenees). Although we had been in contact by email, I was intrigued to discover how and why 2 Californians had settled in one of the lesser-known parts of France.

The journey up the valley provided at least part of the answer – this is a truly beautiful part of France – the valley becomes narrower, but still offers delightful villages, stunning views and plenty of opportunity to enjoy the river – whether just sitting on the bank in the shade or being more energetic with canoes or kayaks. Entraygues-sur-Truyere, which translates as “between the waters” – i.e. the river Lot and its tributary the Truyere – is everything you expect of a small rural French market town – with its bridges over the river and narrow streets – and the essentials – a bank, boulangerie, hotel, bar etc – and the quiet air of a place at peace with itself – especially on a hot summer afternoon.

The other reason for Lance and Rain choosing this spot also became clear when we found the “Sweet French Cottages” up a narrow track above the river a few kilometres out of town. We discovered a haven of tranquility – with delightful hosts and some wonderful holiday cottages – well, appointed, cleverly and carefully restored – but above all secluded and deep in the countryside – yet just a few miles from all the conveniences of the town – and in an area rich with local artisans producing wine, cheese, wine. pottery…… The local wines, Vins d’Entraygues et du Fel VDQS, had to be tasted of course (along with some wonderful goats cheese made by one of the neighbours)! The vineyards are often terraced high on the sides of the valley, and production is small – mostly drunk locally. The white we tasted from Domaine de Mejanassere was a blend of Chenin Blanc and Mauzac grapes – a light, refreshing dry wine with a pleasing floral nose and exotic fruit finish; the red (Gamay, Fer Servadou, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Savignon), whilst being a tad “rustic” was perfect with some local saucisson. Somehow these uncomplicated straightforward wines were a great match for the time and place!

Whilst many might aspire to the Californian lifestyle, these Californians have clearly found their home in the depths of France, and whilst they remain ambitious, they are relaxed and welcoming – a long way from the stereotypical loud American we’ve all met. Indeed, there is something about the place that seems to instill some sense of peace and contentment – the world of autoroutes, big business and conflict seems, and is, a long way away – whilst nature imposes its own sense of order to things – whether it be the landscape, the river or the weather.

It is certainly an area I intend to return to – there is so much to explore, especially guided by two people who know the area well, and are keen to share it with others. Their ambitions include developing artists retreats (with a studio planned) and themed stays based on the local food etc.

For more about Lance and Rain’s SWEET FRENCH COTTAGES – see www.frenchduck.com/latest OR to enquire about availability and rates etc, complete the form below:-

cforms contact form by delicious:days

* YOUR WAY – inspiring highlights and itineraries, practical directory and grid-referenced maps help you plan your own Tour de France
* IN THE KNOW – from Provence’s Roman towns to Normandy’s D-Day beaches, incisive history coverage puts the sights in context
* DINE OUT –whether you crave oven-fresh bread and hand-made cheese or Michelin-starred haute cuisine, our extended listings take you to the best places to eat
* REST YOUR HEAD – handpicked sleeping options for every budget, from luxurious historic hotels to gîtes and Alpine refuges
* IMMERSE YOURSELF – our discerning arts and entertainment coverage includes world-famous galleries in Paris, theatre in Avignon and film in Cannes

Other titles include Paris, Provence and the Cote d’Azur, a Guide to Walking in France, Corsica and a French language guide – spend more than £25 and get free delivery too.

For more info see Lonely Planet Publications

But you could take it a stage further and enrol in a digital photography course in the village of Castelfranc, west of Cahors where the river Vert meets the Lot. In July the village celebrates its annual Fete (13 & 14 July 2008) when the village is in festive mood with theatre, music, dancing, a market of local produce etc. Every year there is also an exhibition of professional photographers (which continues throughout the summer).

To coincide with this a series of courses are being held in the village for anyone interested in digital photography under the title Itinerances Photographiques. Over the weekend there are 4 three-hour sessions for beginners – everything from using the camera through to using Photoshop to enhance your images and printing.

During the week (15–19 July 2008) there is a more in-depth course designed to help you perfect your skills, and visiting suitable locations for images and providing constructive critique on your photos of the region, whether it be moorland, vines, markets, local people, local and historical sites – with such a wealth of stunning subject matter within reach you could learn much and enjoy more! The 5–day course is offered on either a residential or non-residential basis.

For more info see www.itinerancesphoto.org or contact Maxime Bessieres

To learn more about the region I can recommend Helen Martin’s Book “Lot – Travels through a limestone landscape in SouthWest France” See also the local tourist office www.tourisme-prayssac.fr

The Independent’s Simon Calder narrates an interesting and informative Podcast which you can download and take with you to the cosmopolitan city of Nice, an easy option with many budget airlines flying in from numerous UK airports – or take the TGV from London!

Beginning in the Promenade des Anglais, Simon Calder explores the Matisse Museum and admires the beautiful views of the hills of Provence. He also samples the region’s cuisine, trying traditional corn pancakes and dining at the luxurious Aphrodite restaurant, before tasting some locally produced wine.

The local wine is called Bellet AOC.The vineyards lie within the city limits in the hills above the town. Seldom seen in the UK, the whites are made from Rolle and some Chardonnay with Folle Noir for the reds with some Grenache and Cinsault. Rosé comes from Braquet and Cinsault. Yapp Brothers stock the Bellet AC wines of Domaine de la Source – the rosé 2007 being “a dry and fruity rosé with aromas of wild roses. On the palate, red berry flavours precede a clean, dry finish.”, whilst the 2007 Blanc is described as “An esoteric dry white wine with subtle hints of Provençal pine. The wine displays aromas of pear and wild flowers when young and quince and toasted almonds when it reaches maturity. The dry but fruity palate has balanced acidity and good fruit characteristics, preceding an alluring dry finish.”

Some Links:
Hi Hotel
Musée Matisse in Nice
Aphrodite Restaurant
Nice Official Tourist Office

The Independent (5 April 08)

Despite the French passion for cream, eggs and foie gras, le digestif after a meal, and an addiction to Gitanes cigarettes, they have half our obesity levels, less than half our death rate from heart disease and lower rates of cancer in women (but not men). They play boules and cycle, even in their dotage, which keeps them active enough to enjoy lunch. And lunch they take very seriously – a proper, sit-down, three- or four-course meal from an early age…. there are regional differences. Expectation of life is higher in the south of France than in the north, and especially high in the south-west. If you truly wish to live to be 100, you could try the red wine, olive oil, poultry, fish and haricots of the typical French south-western diet.. Then there is the wine. There have been rapid increases in wine sales in the UK in the past decade, yet British consumption at 27 litres a head per year still has a long way to go to match the French at 64 litres. Despite drinking in greater quantities, the French drink more moderately, with meals, as opposed to binge drinking in Britain.

This tends to reinforce the value of tannic red wines such as Madiran with its high levels of procyanadin which is thought to have beneficial effects on the heart.

I suspect that is also has something to do with the pace of life, as outside of Paris things do appear less frenetic than in the UK – people do stop for lunch and generally seem less hassled – athough not necessarily better humoured! The availability of fresh, locally sourced seasonal food is also clearly better in the many small local markets – and shopping at the market itself can be less stressful than going to the supermarket.
The Red Wine Diet

While walking in South-west France, cook and journalist Orlando Murrin dreamed up the adventure of a lifetime: why not wave goodbye to the rat race and come to live in this rural paradise, where the only traffic is the boulangerie van delivering baguettes? His book tells the story of how he set up a boutique b&b and includes 100 amazing recipes. …. they set about transforming the dignified old manor house into a phenomenally successful boutique b&b with its own magnificent kitchen garden. A Table in the Tarn charts the discovery, acquisition and renovation of the property. Along the way, we learn about the local food scene, with its astonishingly rich heritage of ingredients and dishes, about working in France and coping with the famous French bureaucracy, and about the unforeseen delight of working with the locals.Four years on, with countless plaudits and a coveted entry in the classy Mr and Mrs Smith directory, the business attracts visitors from around the world and continues to be a gastronomic destination for anyone seeking peace, tranquillity and above all fantastic food.

As former editor of the BBC Good Food Magazine and Olive Magazine, the owners know something about food and the recipes sound very enticing – Roast Pigeon breasts in Armagnac!
So now you can read the book, try the recipes and stay in the Manoir! The Manoir des Raynaudes is near Carmaux (81 Tarn, Midi-Pyrenees) – see our map of the Tarn and its attractions
A Table in the Tarn: Living, Eating and Cooking in South-west France

Le Manoir de Raynaudes, 81640 Monestiès T: 0033 563 36 91 90 F:0033 563 36 92 09
www.raynaudes.com

In the vicinity you’ll find the delights of the cathedral city of Albi (home of the Albigensian crusades against the Cathar “heretics”, a Toulouse-Lautrec museum – and you could pop in and taste the wines of one of the best Gaillac AC wine producers (red, white, sparkling and rosé) at Domaine de Labarthe at Castanet.

Imagine you are in HMV and fancy a flat-screen television to watch the Coen Brothers movie you have just bought. Or in Currys wishing you could slip the latest Jack Johnson CD into the box containing your sleek new hi-fi system.

Soon you may be able to do both at a new chain of “culture superstores” with a laidback, Gallic approach. The French books-to-DVDs, video games-to-computers retailer Fnac is looking to tighten its grip on audio-visual and literary retailing in Britain.

A team from the company (originally called Fédération Nationale d’Achats pour Cadres, or the National Purchasing Federation for Managers) has been scouting London for a site……….

The other challenges for the 3 finalists have included cooking at the London Hilton for a group of Professional Chefs with 17 Michelin stars between them, and cooking for the Army in the heat and humidity of Belize with very basic army equipment. Working in a French Michelin-starred restaurant will be the final challenge!

The restaurants and chefs chosen are recognised as amongst the best in the world, with exacting standards and extraordinary quality food:-

• Troisgros in Roanne (42 Loire, Rhone-Alpes)
• Michel Bras in Laguiole (12 Aveyron, Midi-Pyrenees) – (see the recipe for a Mischievious Cherry Dessert – malice des cerises)
• Restaurant Pierre Gagnaire (75 Paris, Ile de France)

Interesting that 2 of these top restaurants are not in Paris but deep in the French countryside – very provincial and some distance from major centres of population – the French will travel long distances for a good meal!

If you are interested in French cuisine, have a read of Michael Booth’s entertaining book Sacre Cordon Bleu

Booth shares with us the secrets of his training at Le Cordon Bleu and of French cooking itself, explaining how to make the perfect sauce; the secret of great stocks; how to win a fight with a lobster; and how to avoid maiming yourself while cleaning your knives. He explores how France rose to culinary pre-eminence and asks if Paris still deserves its reputation as the culinary capital of the world. Following both traumas and unexpected triumphs at school, Booth embarks on the ultimate chef’s challenge, he goes to work at the Michelin-starred Paris restaurant of the most famous chef in France, Joel Robuchon.

You’ll learn a lot about the French and their approach to food.

A browse through the local travel bookshop in midwinter is always enjoyable, especially when you find something new. Hence Mireille Guiliano’s French Women Don’t Get Fat: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure caught the eye as unlike most books about dieting, it concentrates more on the pleasure of eating well A la Francaise. Personally I like the French approach of more but smaller courses rather than the British plate piled high with meat and 2 veg! One of the key messages here is all about portion size. This is another angle on the “French Paradox ” whereby despite a rich diet, the French tend to have lower levels of obesity and heart disease!

“It is classy, chic, convincing, funny, wise, well-written and very timely. It’s the ultimate non-diet book, which nonetheless shows us how to eat with balance, control and above all pleasure. Chuck out all the radical diet books, think about what you eat and why, and then enjoy eating the right things (and some of the wrong ones) intelligently, and in smaller portions.”

Another choice was Marie-Pierre Moine’s Provence Cookery School a sumptuous celebration of rich Provencal fayre, lovingly illustrated

Recreate the gorgeous flavours of Provencal cuisine in your own kitchen. Forget expensive and difficult courses run by intimidating chefs. This one-on-one guide gives step-by-step advice on how to learn the key elements of Provencal cooking in only one week. Each day, you’ll discover how to combine local ingredients and techniques to create authentic, delicious dishes, with three-course menu plans for making magnificent meals. Cook and enjoy over 100 wonderful dishes, using local ingredients from the best producers, from superb sauces to perfect pastries. Guy Gedda is your friendly and charming host: his clear demonstrations show you exactly what to do without the need for professional expertise and skill, but with results that will prove you have mastered the essentials of Provencal cooking in your own kitchen. Bon Appetit!

Finally a rather fun food book to enable you to recapture the essence of French cuisine back at home – William Black’s Plats Du Jour. According to Metro’s review: (April 25, 2007):

“The French wouldn’t dream of agonising over whether to buy local: after all, their culture is built on it, n’est ce pas? In his culinary travelogue Plats du Jour, William Black celebrates their peerless heritage, but also detects that everything isn’t quite so rosy in the country’s kitchen as they would like to think. “

Ryanair is currently offering midweek flights in June from Stansted to Angouleme for under £44.00 return in June (including taxes and charges).

Alternatively you can reach Angouleme by train (Eurostar to Paris) and TGV to Angouleme which is on the GV Atlantique line to Bordeaux. The cheapest midweek price from London in March is £49.50 one-way, the journey time being about 6 hours.

If you explore the www.viamichelin.co.uk website further and search on the Tourism tab for Angouleme you;ll discover information on the town’s attractions and download some audio tours of some of the main sights!

For more info see www.rjsw.co.uk

In 1999 Vicki Archer, with her husband and three children, made a lifelong dream a reality (don’t we all have this dream?) when she bought a seventeenth-century property in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. She spent three years lovingly restoring the farmhouse, bringing back to life the abandoned apple and pear orchards and planting an olive grove of more than 2000 trees. In MY FRENCH LIFE, Vicki shares an insider’s view of life in France, telling her personal tale of taking risks, facing challenges and falling in love with all things French.

With gorgeous 4-color photography by Carla Coulson, it is the perfect holiday gift for armchair travelers and Francophiles alike.

For details and to enter the prize draw (closing date 14 December 2007) go to www.frenchduck.co.uk

Buy your own copy from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com(USA)

We are in a tourist area and our little town relies on this summer trade to boost the local economy. The mayor is pro British and for integration so it becomes a win win situation for everyone if he can boast a cricket pitch in the town. I’m sure other communes in France could adopt the same route for the same reasons, which could help the sport to develop.
The Mayor will open our pitch officially next Sunday with a fundraising meal and match. So all in all I’m hopeful we will be going from strength to strength!

In many ways Cricket and Boules (or Petanque) are not so dissimilar – they are very sociable games which benefit from being played on hot, lazy afternoons at a gentle pace.
For more info on French cricket – see www.cricketeurope.net

Now this could be taken to indicate how much the Brits have infiltrated parts of the southwest – but also how well they have integrated. Certainly the Sunday markets at nearby Cazals and at Montcuq are very popular with the English tourists and expats – there’s even stall selling English second-hand books! Certainly the incomers have tended to push up property prices, but equally they do support the local economy – few young French people want to stay in the countryside – few jobs and few opportunities.

The other factor which is impressive is the existence in most French villages of municipal tennis courts, football pitches etc, which are recognised as an important community asset. The village hall, often next to the Mairie, is heavily used for local functions – for although the French enjoy the privacy of their own homes, they do come together for local events and celebrations, sometimes for no obvious reason!

Catus has a number of nearby attractions – the Lac Vert (Green Lake) is an oasis of quiet tranquility (except in mid-summer, when it is a popular day out for the children); at St Medard Catus is one my favourite restaurants – Le Gindreau – a little extravagance, but we enjoyed several memorable and lengthy lunches on the terrace in the middle of the countryside. Le Gindreau was converted into a restaurant from a former school, which was also the case at Les Arques few miles further north) where the La Récréation Restaurant was created.

This was the subject of the book by Michael Sanders From Here, You Can’t See Paris which provides a fascinating perspective on this part of rural France.and the role that food and wine plays in the local way of life.

The restaurant has a good reputation – but somehow I was expecting something less grand – with tables in the courtyard in summer they can seat 130 people! However, we cannot report on the food – due I suspect to the 35 hour week, the restaurant is closed for 2 whole days midweek even in summer!!

Michael Sanders’ two books (the other about winemaker families in Cahors) do offer a great insight into life in the rural southwest – and whilst they may not be racy reading, they are well-written and describe the locals and their way of life with great affection.

In France you can visit the domaine at Monestier (24 Dordogne, Aquitaine) – see details

The Guide Hachette may only be in French, but even if you do not speak the language, it contains plenty of information on addresses, opening times etc.

Michelin has also published a new Green guide (only in French at the moment) on the A75 Autoroute (la Meridienne) which runs down from Clermont Ferrand (63 Puy-de-Dome, Auvergne) to Pezenas (34 Herault, Languedoc) across the Tarn Gorge at Millau (12 Aveyron, Midi-Pyrenees).The whole area is ripe for exploring. So the guide has 12 suggested itineraries including one which focusses on the vineyards of the Languedoc and Auvergne – other attractions include the vulcanic landscapes of the Auverge, thermal spas, Templar castles…….

New Michelin Green Guide – France (in English)

So a brief trip to France, where the late summer skies were blue, and the sun was shining warmly was particularly welcome after an otherwise disappointing summer on both sides of the Channel. Except of course that as it was after 31 August, the French were all back at work (la rentrée) and winter opening hours of restaurants, chateaux and other attractions were operative.

The week started badly for the French, when they lost the opening match of the Rugby World Cup at the Stade de France in Paris – to a previously underrated Argentinian team. The incredulity of this disaster was summed up by one local who maintained: “That was not supposed to happen!” This could now lead to the French, proudly hosting the world cup, having to play a semi-final in Cardiff!!

The following day spirits appeared to have improved when the French football team secured a 0:0 draw against the Italians – the celebrations and relief suggested it was in fact a great victory. However, just a few days later they lost to the minnows of Scotland which no-one, probably not even the Scots, had predicted.

The week ended with everyone suddenly discovering and being knowledgeable about Judo, where the world championships were won by – a Frenchman called Teddy RIner, a name probably unknown to most French people. However, this week he is a real French hero!

It is difficult to be too smug about the French misfortunes, when we Brits can be only too aware that our glory days on the football and rugby pitch can be just as fleeting and vulnerable to upset – but whatever you do, never mention the 2012 Olympics in France – they were robbed!!

The differences and similarities between out two nations was also reinforced by my reading for the week.
A Year in the Merde by Stephen Clarke was the first choice. It is the amusing and lighthearted story of an Englishman working for a French company in Paris for a year – lots of predictable cariacatures, but told with humour and some affection.
My second read by Stephen Clarke Talk to the Snail seemed to get it wrong – more of a rant about the worst stereotypes of the French written by a francophobe – I could not finish it as it was written without affection.
On a more serious level, but nevertheless readable and entertaining was Rod Kedward’s La Vie En Bleu: France and the French Since 1900 which did much more to help to understand some of the contradictions that go to make the French – their history, pride and traditions.

The French Paradox in South-West France is based on a unique combination of terroir, growing practices and grape varieties. In concrete terms:
• a growing process, described in the winegrower’s production specifications set up some 30 years ago – disbudding, leaf plucking, yield control through cluster thinning, health status control, etc. -, which enables the grapes to reach perfect maturity,
• “privileged” grapes: the grapes growing in the Pyrenean area have the advantage of late bud break and flowering. They are thus protected from bad weather in Spring, frost and poor berry set, and enjoy cool nights and sunny days during late Summer, which gives rise to the particular maturity that is specific to the region. Grape harvesting is left until late in September,
• in-depth knowledge of plot soils.

Also associated are traditional winemaking methods:
• beginning of vinification through slow fermentation, which promotes extraction during the non-alcoholic phase (pre-fermentation maceration under controlled temperature),
• traditional vinification with temperature control and long maceration,
• maturation on lees with controlled aeration (such wines require much oxygen).

The current techniques respect and reinforce these principles of traditional winemaking.

Within the framework of his work, Professor Roger Corder has analysed many wines from around the world. The results are to be found in his book The Wine Diet.

Among the wines analysed in this region, the following have been awarded an “excellent standard” rating:
• St-Mont, Château de Sabazan, Château de St-Go, Château du Bascou, Le Faîte.
• The Plaimont producers’ Madiran Plénitude
• Madiran Château de Crouseilles and Château d’Arricau-Bordes from the Crouseilles wine co-operative.

 Dr Roger Corder has a new book coming out in September 2007 – The Red Wine Diet

Plaimont wines in the UK are stocked by (amongst others) the Wine Society – the Chateau de Sabazan Cotes de St Mont VDQS has been a favourite of mine – a good oaked tannat red, but with a touch more fruit than many Madirans “A gorgeous ripe tasting red from Gascony” (£9.50)