This is the last of my “Sightseeing In France” stories which are dedicated to all the food in France we encountered. If you haven’t read the previous stories (Week 1, Week 2, A French Wedding, Flowers in France and the Pineau des Chartentes) you must. It will help you to gain a feel of France and all that we experienced.
To say we were well fed would be an understatement. The biggest concern we had in the first week was, with all the great food we were consuming, would we fit into our dresses for the wedding. After the wedding, we simply didn’t care. Did that stop us from enjoying the culinary delights? Not in the least.
Now, I would like to take you on a photographic journey of all the different foods we encountered and enjoyed. I will break it down into groups; Cheese, Desserts & Breads, Markets, Cafe’s The Wedding and some of our home cooked Meals.
Food In France: It’s All About The Food
Their Fromage (cheese) is all that they rave about. Much like the Boulangeries (Bakery), Fromageries (cheese shops) are everywhere. Let me show you some that we had the opportunity to visit.
Here, is a closeup shot of some of their amazing cheeses.
This is a typical cheese course that was often served before dessert.
Now, let me show you some of the amazing pastries and bread we found in the many Boulangeries we visited.
I know you may be wondering, did we eat some of these? You bet we did, probably more then we should have.
Then there were the bread and croissants. Oh, my goodness were they good, especially the chocolate croissants.
These were Elise’s all time favorites. They are simple profiteroles sprinkled with sugar.
I became addicted to their bread. No wonder they shop for bread every day. I would as well, when the bread is that good.
There were kitchen stores everywhere. My husband would have been in heaven.
I couldn’t help putting this in. Can you tell they like Nutella? It’s their peanut-butter.
Their markets (what we call Farmers Markets) are in every city, town, and village and run at least three days a week. It’s where many do most of their grocery shopping.
In many ways, it’s the same as our Farmers Market, but they run much more often.
I loved the spices and loose teas that were available.
The Charcuteries (Butcher shops) and fish markets were packed full of fantastic looking fish, meats, poultry and sausages.
Now let me show some of the meals we had at the charming street cafes. Keep in mind; wine was always served with every meal.
We can’t forget the desserts, can we? This was one of the best Creme Brûlées I have had in a very long while.
The wedding cocktail party and the wedding dinner were fabulous. So to leave that out would be totally unacceptable. Every event and course had its wine.
Even though it rained, the cocktail party was such a great experience, and the Champagne, wine, and beer flowed.
The cocktail party was such a good time. What I haven’t shown you are the oyster bar and other foods that were available. There was an astonishing variety of things to eat.
The set-down wedding dinner followed the cocktail party. I will start with the first course, the starter. It was as good as it looks.
Then came the sorbet to cleans the palate.
This is the main course. It was scrumptious.
We couldn’t forget the salad and cheese course could we?
Then there was dessert. It was a long table of every imaginable delight. With that came the Champagne. I went to for anything chocolate…. and Champagne 🙂
Oh, I almost forget the cupcake tower. It was a new thing for a wedding in France.
The very next day was the “after wedding brunch party” I had mentioned in a previous story, A French Wedding. They roasted two whole pigs for the event.
I can’t forget to show you the meals we had at home. They were just as amazing. We were so very spoiled.
There were always baguettes (bread) and Fromage (cheese) at every meal. We were so very spoiled. I think I said that already… 🙂
And then there was dessert.
It was an amazing culinary adventure. Before I close I will leave you with one last picture. Cafe’ was always the finish to each meal. So it seemed fitting to have this as the last picture.
It was an amazing adventure and one I shall never forget. I am so blessed to have such great French friends who opened their hearts, shared their home and their lives with us. Remember “Vivre, Rire, Aimer” (To live, To laugh, To Like/Love).
PS: If you enjoyed this adventure, check out the other “Trip To France” articles: Week 1, Week 2, A French Wedding, Flowers in France, Pineau des Chartentes and Pineau des Charentes 2010. They are full of pictures and stories from the many places we visited. It will truly give you a feel of France and all that we experienced.
Life’s journey continues…