When you think of France, you almost certainly don’t imagine a surfer chic lifestyle. But a little slice of California-style heaven does exist on the southwest coast and I experienced a coup de cœur the first time I visited Biarritz and the surrounding area.
When eating at a fine restaurant in France, there is a silent code diners use with forks and knives to talk to waiters. A sort of sign language via le couteau and la fourchette.
We all know (and love) macarons, eclairs and pain au chocolat, but there’s a whole world of French pastries out there waiting for you to discover. An introduction to some lesser-known, but just as mind-blowing French desserts.
Wine is a treasured part of French culture, and therefore etiquette revolves around proper appreciation of it. These rules are really guidelines for enjoyment, since the French don’t see the point in drinking a wine the wrong way.
Cheese is so important in France, even the citizenship test includes a couple questions on fromage. French cheese etiquette involves correct times, orders and methods that as an American I never had to learn to operate in society. But cheese manners matter here, so if…
It’s a common question I get from friends coming to visit: “Where can I find the best baguette in Paris?” My answer: Your nearest bakery. However, there is a very important trick to ordering the tastiest baguette at the boulangerie.
The only good thing about the chronic pollution in Paris is that the road along the Seine river has been shut down to cars, creating an amazing playground for running, biking, picnics and enjoying a drink by the water. It’s a beautiful place to partake…