Page 36 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - France

Wander Through
Neighbourhood Markets
Local markets are a staple of every
town and village across France,
and a visit to the market is a social
occasion – even major cities have
regular markets in every neighbour­
hood. There’s nowhere better to
sample regional specialities, from
DISCOVER France Your Way Provençal market stalls during summer.
pungent blue cheeses in Auvegne and
toothsome canistrelli in Corsica, to the
lavender­studded biscuits, honeys and
liqueurs that make their way onto

A stall selling local
meats and cheese
in Ajaccio, Corsica

FRANCE FOR
FOODIES

The scent of freshly baked baguettes wafting down cobbled streets; the
cheerful pop of bubbles in a champagne flute; the salty tang of just-caught
oysters: in France, foodie dreams are made. Get ready to discover delicious
regional dishes, mouthwatering markets and cook-it-yourself courses.

Take a Cookery Course
WORLD INTANGIBLE Learn how to make macarons in Paris,
HERITAGE try your hand at haute cuisine or give
Back in 2010, "the traditional home cooking a go at a local
gastro nomic meal of farm. Often, courses include a visit to
the French"(le repas local markets with the chef, who will
gas tronom ique) was then show you how to use the ingre­
awarded World dients to make iconic French dishes,
Intangible Heritage such as in a hands­on class at La Cuisine
status by UNESCO. in Paris (www.lacuisineparis.com).
This social custom of
gather ing friends and
family over a splendid A fine-dining cookery
meal to celebrate spe­ course in Paris
cial occa sions reveals
just how deeply the
French identify with
their cuisine. Starting
with the apéritif, this
gas tronomic gathering
usually features four
courses, accom panied
with wine and culmin­
ating with liqueurs.
The ritual is as impor­
tant as the cuisine.

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