There’s something deceptively timeless about raising a toast over a glass of champagne (or some other form of sparkling white wine). It’s easy to imagine that “bubbly” has always been […]
Around France
Why Brittany Butter is Salted (& Coveted): A Bit of History
My partner and I almost always have a block of salted Brittany butter in the fridge, and usually there’s a “backup” somewhere in the freezer, too. Why? There’s simply something […]
Exploring French Basque Country, on Spain’s Doorstep: A Guide to Hendaye, France
Basque country is one of those fascinating “liminal” spaces that crosses cultural and linguistic borders. Straddling France and Spain, the area is in fact an aggregation of several distinctive regions […]
The 5 Best Places for Wine Tasting in Bordeaux: Bars & More in the City Center
Last summer, I spent a little under six weeks living and working in Bordeaux, as I prepared to write a local guide. Like almost everyone, I knew coming in that […]
A Short History of French Macarons, From Saint-Emilion to Paris
On a recent trip to the fortified medieval town of Saint-Emilion, my partner and I stayed in a lovely B&B plunged in the middle of the vineyards, outside the city […]
10 of the Best Day Trips From Paris by Train: Fantastic Getaways
Some might ask why it would be necessary to plot short excursions away from a city as diverse and interesting as Paris. After all, doesn’t it offer enough beauty, history, […]