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October is National Dessert Month

October is National Dessert Month

A whole month celebrating cakes, cookies, pies, tartes, flans and ice-cream sounds amazing doesn't it. Well, that's what we can all do for the whole month of October because October is National Dessert Month.

Of course, celebrating National Dessert Month is rather easy when you live in France because small towns and sometimes even little villages, will have their own boulangerie with tempting desserts to choose from, and when we talk about France's large cities, well the choice of pâtisseries is almost endless!

Saint-Émilion Grape Harvest Festival

Saint-Émilion Grape Harvest Festival

Saint-Émilion is a commune in the Gironde department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine in Southwestern France. It's in a region of wine hills steeped in wine making history that is still relevant today. Saint-Émilion is one of those stunning medieval cities that France is well known for and it's conveniently located at the crossroads of Bordeaux, Saintonge and Périgord. I mean, how more perfect could the town's location be for those of us that like to explore the very best of France! Saint-Émilion is also a UNESCO World Heritage.

Today we're sharing some information about Saint-Émilion and its famous grape harvest festival, Fête des Vendanges, which is currently on right now.

Bizarre Things Packed in my Suitcase

Bizarre Things I've Packed in my Suitcase

When packing for a trip to France I usually follow my own advice and my various packing tips in my posts and guides

Paris Packing Guide – Essential Tips For The Perfect Wardrobe
10 Simple Packing Tips For International Travel; and
8 Tips on How to Look Parisian and Not a Tourist... however, this trip my suitcase looks different, very different. Some things may seem bizarre, but once you know what they're for, I think it will make more sense. It does to me, and I thought you might like to get an insider's view of how planning ahead and doing what might seem bizarre can be necessary when living between two homes in both hemispheres. Believe me, it can get a little weird and wacky at times!

Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe (Glace à la Fraise)

Summer in France is a magical time for eating outdoors, lazing under shady trees and taking slow evening walks watching the sun eventually set. I love nothing more than indulging in homemade strawberry ice cream while watching butterflies and insects buzz around my neighbours potager (vegetable garden) as we sit outside and gaze over our little backyard fence.

Our neighbour, Madame Potager has a large and very organised potager and she generously shares French green beans, potatoes, pumpkins, spinach and other veges with us. I've even written a blog post all about our lovely neighbour - Living in Rural France & Salade Niçoise Recipe

Summertime and Strawberry Ice Cream

Of course, we love strawberry ice cream at any time of the year, but summer seems to be the season when I feel most at home in the kitchen making ice cream. I thought you'd love our strawberry ice cream recipe, which I've put together after trying a few variations; it's easy and delicious!

Paris Vineyards – The Remaining Vineyards of Paris

Clos Montmartre, the last vineyard in Paris

Paris Vineyards - The Remaining Vineyards of Paris

Did you know there are vineyards in Paris? Maybe you haven’t seen any vineyards in Paris, but hidden in three stunning parks and on the hillside of Montmartre, you'll find vineyards that all still produce grapes for wine production. These are referred to as the ‘urban vineyards’ of Paris as they co-exist in the urban setting of the city. ‘Clos’ or enclosed vineyards were originally maintained by Monks throughout the city.

Clos de Bercy is in the 12th arrondissement Parc de Bercy, Clos Montmartre is in the 18^th arrondissement on the hill, Clos des Morillons is in Parc Georges Brassens in the 15^th arrondissement and lastly, Clos de Belleville is in the beautiful Parc de Belleville in the 20^th arrondissement.

Four Romantic Small Vineyards in Paris

Small boutique vineyards hidden in Paris is such a romantic notion, I thought you'd love to know where they are, what their closest metro stations are for visiting, and also see some pretty photos.

French Quiche Lorraine Recipe

Made from only a few ingredients, the traditional French tart Quiche Lorraine is now a worldwide favourite. Eaten hot, warm or cold and served for breakfast, lunch or dinner it's a versatile dish. A quiche is defined as a French tart consisting of pastry crust filled with savoury custard and pieces of cheese, meat, seafood or vegetables. As you may have already guessed, the most well-known type of quiche is the Lorraine, which includes lardons or bacon. This delicious dish originates from the French region of Lorraine - hardly surprising given its name!

Quiche Lorraine is one of the most common quiches made in France, and it's popularity has spread throughout Europe, the United States and Australia.

The best thing about a French Quiche Lorraine is that it's technically easy to make, needs few ingredients and can be cooking in the oven while you do something else. Now, lets get to the ingredients you'll need and how to make it. The eating of and enjoying is then up to you!

Santonniers of Provence seek UNESCO status

Santonniers of Provence Seek UNESCO Status

Did you catch in the news a couple of months back how the French baguette has just been awarded UNESCO status? Chosen as the winner by the French who voted in 2021 from the choices of the distinctive grey zinc roofs of Paris, the tradition of wine festivals, and the baguette - the crusty bread stick won hands down!

Well, another French traditional product has applied for UNESCO status. The Santon makers of Provence have put forward their craft. They have formed an association named 'Savoir-faire des Santonniers de Provence', with the intention of getting the process of creating the hand-painted clay figurines included on the list of intangible cultural heritage. Just like the baguette.

New Caledonia – France in the Pacific

New Caledonia Nouméa - France in the Pacific

New Caledonia - France in the Pacific

When you think of visiting France I'm sure you conjure up images of the towering and majestic Eiffel Tower, cute café chairs spilling onto boulevard sidewalks and beautiful formal gardens. But, what if when thinking of France you conjured up images of numerous small islands clustered in clear turquoise water, white sandy beaches and swaying palms? Well, you'd probably be thinking of France, Pacific style, that is, New Caledonia!

If you know my story, you know I live in my homes in Brittany and in Australia and have travelled around a lot of France. But until now, I've never visited the French Territory of Nouvelle Calédonie (New Caledonia). Being a devoted Francophile, of course New Caledonia has been on my travel list... I mean how could it not? New Caledonia is only a few days ocean cruising from Sydney or just under a three hour flight from Sydney. Compared to my normal thirty-plus hours of travel from my Newcastle home to my home in Brittany, it's rather a breeze!

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October is National Dessert Month

October is National Dessert Month

Saint-Émilion Grape Harvest Festival

Saint-Émilion Grape Harvest Festival

Bizarre Things Packed in my Suitcase

Bizarre Things I've Packed in my Suitcase

Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe (Glace à la Fraise)

Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe (Glace à la Fraise)

Summertime and Strawberry Ice Cream

Paris Vineyards – The Remaining Vineyards of Paris

Paris Vineyards - The Remaining Vineyards of Paris

Four Romantic Small Vineyards in Paris

French Quiche Lorraine Recipe

French Quiche Lorraine Recipe

Santonniers of Provence seek UNESCO status

Santonniers of Provence Seek UNESCO Status

New Caledonia – France in the Pacific

New Caledonia - France in the Pacific

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