The trick about traveling is how to go deeper. How to go beyond the guidebook. How to visit but not be a tourist. How to not only see but also really SEE. In my quarter century of going deeper into France, I have found one of the most rewarding ways to connect with the country…

Since my last online posting, I was in Paris for the French Affaires “Gourmet Paris” trip. Our lovely group savored the culinary delights of la Capitale, and I’ll be sharing some of our French foodie experiences in upcoming articles. I have also been deep into planning exciting new programs and events for 2011 that will…

There are several locations in France which merit the designation “la route des châteaux,” or ‘ châteaux road’ including the Loire Valley and the Auvergne. One of the prettiest is found in the Médoc region in southwest France. The Médoc is the peninsula extending approximately 80 kilometers north of Bordeaux and is bounded by the Atlantic…

Have you ever wanted French cuisine to be, well, a little more piquant (peppy)? Occasionally, I have. Don’t get me wrong, I love all aspects of French cuisine, especially those subtle tastes and flavors that the French do so well. But every so often, you need a meal with some spice. And when you do,…

It’s fall in France and the U.S. and for me, it’s a return to winter cooking. I love gratins—vegetables such as potatoes layered with cheese and cream or milk—and hearty plats (main dishes) cooked with wine, mushrooms and onions. Sweaters and fires in the fireplace complete the picture. A quintessential French winter dish of course…

As anyone who has spent time in Provence knows, there is an abundance of wonderful things to see and do in this beautiful corner of the world. It’s a paradise for anyone who loves the sun, mountains, beaches, gardens, cuisine, wine, history, art, music, architecture, pure relaxation—the list goes on and on. I have notebooks…

“A table!” (Time to eat!) It’s easy when sitting down to a meal in France to think primarily about the food and the wine. After all, it’s arguably what the country is best known for. But after years of meals in this gastronomically-blessed country, I make a point to look beyond what’s on the plate. Of course, the…

“Follow your instincts.” It’s possibly the best piece of travel advice around. This summer in France, I was rewarded many times over for heeding this call. One particular instance occurred as I was exploring the Basque town of St. Jean Pied de Port in the Pyrenees mountains. I had been wandering up the Rue d’Espagne,…

Toward the end of our time in southwest France this summer, my husband and I decided to take a break from the Bordeaux area and head down to the Pyrenees. I had never been ‘down under’ in France and looked forward to exploring the French Basque country nestled along the Spanish border. We left Bordeaux’s…