French Travel Blog

We used to live in Normandy and absolutely loved the food there. Plus, being from Wisconsin, dairy products like butter, cream, and cheese , were always important ingredients in many of my favorite foods. My friend Magali, a true Norman through and through, shared this recipe with me. It is a family favorite because it is easy to make, and so yummy with its buttery smoothness and sweet apples. I think it will become a family favorite chez vous as well. Ingredients: ½ cup melted butter (I personally use salted butter for the extra tanginess) ½ cup flour 1...

Jean-François and I are getting ready to re-plant our vegetable garden, and thinking of all the delicious tomatoes, zucchini and other vegetables and fruits we will enjoy this summer made me hungry for some ratatouille . However, I do enjoy making this tian version which uses the same veggies, but I think looks prettier. Laura ready to cook the tian, © Laura Crotet Instructions Slice the eggplant into thin rounds. Put them in a bowl and lightly salt them. Let them sit for about 15-20 minutes to give their water, then rinse and pat dry. You can brush a little olive oil on each...

Monaco is the second smallest country in the world (the total area is not even 1 square mile), preceded by the Vatican. However, with almost 40,000 inhabitants, it is the most densely populated country in the world. This tiny coastal nation on the French Riviera brings into mind glamour, luxury, royalty, and money – the latter of which is apropos because you do need money to spend a day here as everything is expensive. But who doesn’t want to feel like a millionaire even for one day, so why not? Monaco's History The history of Monaco is directly linked with the...

I know that for a lot of people, the idea of biking in the French countryside, through the romantic rolling vineyards, just to luckily happen upon a cute little outdoor market in a picturesque village is the stuff that travel dreams are made of. For me, it means a sore behind and legs, bugs in my face and thinking all the time “why didn’t I just drive”? Well, I wanted to test a new itinerary for biking in the Loire Valley , in the Blois – Château de Chambord area. They announced beautiful weather for the week, my daughter Célestine was ready and willing, so we did it. And I must admit, I was...

This recipe is quick to make so great for a week night meal that everyone will enjoy. Plus the Catalane touch makes it a little spicy, especially depending on the heat of the chorizo you choose. Bon appétit, or as they say in Catalan, tenir gana ! Photo: A real treat - Laura's homemade Riz à la Catalane, Laura Crotet Ingredients For 4 people 1-1/4 cup long grain rice 7 oz chorizo (more or less) 1 cup tomato sauce ½ onion 1 garlic clove 1 yellow pepper 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon herbes de Provence 2 cups chicken or veggie bouillon Salt and pepper I nstructions Finely chop...

Part of the bigger Languedoc-Roussillon region, the Roussillon area spans from the Spanish border to the city of Narbonne and includes the eastern fringe of the Pyrenees mountains. This area is also known as the French Catalonia , and the history and traditions of the Catalans are still very present today. The height of Catalan power was reached in the 13th and 14th centuries when the Franco-Catalan frontier was fixed along the base of the Corbières hills north of Perpignan. But Jaime I made the mistake of dividing his kingdom between his two sons at his death. Thus, the...

Reims is the capital of the Champagne wine region, and is a nice place to spend a day. There is more to see and do than just sip some bubbly (although that is a must, too). The center of Reims is small enough that you can enjoy walking to the major sites (the following loop is about 4 miles in total). The town of Reims has played a major part in French history, intimately linked to the kings of France. Clovis was baptized there, Louis the Pious was crowned there in 816, and beginning in the 11th century, 26 kings of France were crowned within the walls of the Cathedral. The Cathedral of Notre...

“Biscuits roses de Reims” are a specialty of the Champagne area. They are light, crunchy finger-shaped cookies and are amongst the oldest cookies in France. The Maison Fossier has been making them since 1691. You may dip them into a glass of Champagne to enjoy, but I like turning them into beautiful pink truffles, making them a perfect treat for Valentine’s Day. Photo : Pink biscuits from Reims Ingredients: 1 cup crushed Pink Biscuits ¼ cup sugar ¼ cup + 3 tablespoons softened butter 1 egg yolk 1 teaspoon rum Powdered sugar Instructions: Mix the butter and the crumbs, then add the egg yolk...

The Galette des Rois is made to celebrate the Epiphany, the arrival of the Magi to visit the baby Jesus, on January 6th. The Brioche des Rois is more traditional in southern France, while the Galette is the king in northern France. INGREDIENTS: [Serves 8 people] For the pastry cream: 2 eggs ¼ cup sugar ¼ cup flour 1 cup milk 1 teaspoon vanilla For the almond cream: 3 egg yolks 1-1/4 cup ground almonds 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup softened butter A splash of rum (optional) 2 store-brought crusts, or you can make your own "pâte feuilletée" 1 yolk for brushing the crust before baking...