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…
There's a new free map and guide available from InterLoire (the official wine body for the region) to the vineyards of the Loire Valley available to download and in English:-…
From the romanticism, chic and allure of Paris, the dazzling Cote d’Azur, the wondrous relaxation of Provence, the internationally celebrated vineyards throughout to the staggering dominance of the Alps and…
Caen (14, Calvados, Normandy) is a major French port and a cross-channel ferry port - but, of course, the Ferry docks at Ouistreham which is on the coast, whilst the…
I am a great fan of the Lot département (46 Midi-Pyrenees), initially from wine-hunting around the town of Cahors, and more recently further upstream on the Rivers Lot and Célé, where the landscapes get even more enticing. A recent trip was greatly enhanced by having Helen Martin’s book Lot: Travels Through a Limestone Landscape in SouthWest France, which tells the story of the landscape and people of this region of South West France.
It was her recommendation which led us to the stunning view at Reilhaguet (46 Lot) (see above) which she accurately describes as “the view to end all views, a roof of the world view, a heart-stopping, aching, yearning view” (about 25km north of Cahors just east of the N20).
But one of the undoubted joys of the region has to be its gastronomy and the richness of its markets, and with Helen’s permission we can share an extract from her chapter on “Food and Drink in the Lot”
Eating and drinking in the Lot is not so much gastronomy, it is more a way of life. Simple pleasures like early-morning mushrooming results in gastronomic treats at meal times.
The food used to revolve around the polyculture practised by the small propriétaires, less so today. But fruits are still bottled, geese are still stuffed, pigs are fattened, påtés are tinned, ducks are turned into hunks of confit, and yellow chickens, dotted with oil and butter and legs akimbo, are forced into ovens to emerge an hour or so later, tasting simply sensational. It is a day-in, day-out, year-long occupation. Tout es bou per sa sason ‘To everything there is a season’ takes on new meaning. ©Helen Martin
Helen Martin writes more about the Lot in her blog at http://lotbook.blogspot.com/
To read more about Food and Wine in the Lot see……… (more…)
Anthony Peregrine in the Times (27 July 2008) embarks on a cheesey tour of France and this would be a great way to have a themed trip - maybe getting…
The port cities of Bordeaux and Bristol both played a distinguished role in the history of the wine trade, such that even in the 13th century more than 85 per…
Annecy Festival of the Lake The beautiful lake of Annecy (74 Haute-Savoie, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes) in the heart of alpine Savoy, is well worth a visit at any time. The town of…
The town of Grasse (06 Alpes-Maritimes, Provence PACA) is famous for being the heart of the Provencal perfumery industry with evocative names such as Fragonard to entice you. Set up…
Sigoulès (24 Dordogne, Nouvelle Aquitaine) south of Bergerac celebrates local wine production on the weekend of 23 - 24 July 2022 with its Foire aux Vins de Sigoulès (Sigoules wine…
The village of Espelette (64 Pyrenees-Atlantiques, Nouvelle Aquitaine) in the Basque country of Southwest France devotes a weekend to celebrates with its Red Pepper Festival - Fete du Piment on…
La Maisonnette 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…
Against the setting of the Riviera and the Mediterranean, Cannes (06 Alpes-Maritimes, Provence) holds a series of spectacular pyrotechnic extravaganzas Cannes Fireworks Festival (Festival d'Art Pyrotechnique) on evenings between 14…
Brittany always seems a bit different to the rest of France, with its strong links to Celtic Cornwall, Wales, Ireland and Scotland - something to do with being on the…
Eurocamp has introduced a different option for your holiday in France Fly-Hire - a flight and motorhome hire in one package! We are used to seeing this for trips to…
Brest (29 Finistere), Brittany's major city and port hosts its International Maritime Festival from 12 - 17 July 2024 Brest Maritime Festival. With 25 nations represented, some 2000 mainly traditional…
The small appellation of Saint Sardos, (82 Tarn-et-Garonne, Occitanie) some 50km west of Toulouse and south of Montauban is unique in having a blend of Syrah and Tannat as the…
The two appellations of Madiran AC (red) and Pacherenc du Vic Bilh AC (white) were created in 1948, and the village of Madiran (65 Hautes-Pyrenees, Occitanie) will be celebrating with…
The town of Cognac (16 Charente, Nouvelle Aquitaine ) becomes an even more attractive place to visit in July with the Cognac Blues Passions Festival 2 - 6 July 2024.…
The winemakers of the Coteaux du Quercy AOP celebrate their annual wine fair ( la fête du vin des Coteaux du Quercy ) at Castelnau-Montratier (46 Lot, Occitanie) on 7…
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