Crepes, tourtisseaux, groundhogs
Today is Crepe Day in France as well as in other countries with crepe traditions, such as Belgium and Switzerland. Americans think of it as Groundhog Day. Crepes and groundhogs both mark the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. The day’s Catholic name is la Chandeleur in France, in recognition of the candles (chandelles) that are/were brought to the church in remembrance of the day when baby Jesus was first brought to the Temple.
The Birthplace of Bubbles: An Introduction to Champagne
This article provides an overview of the Champagne region for travelers looking to visit its winegrowing zones over the course of a day or two or three. It partially echoes another article on this site, A Champagne Diary: 3 Grapes, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners, a Bit of Chocolate, and Countless Bubbles, which indicates a number of worthwhile restaurant options in the region.
Dom Pérignon and the Birth of Champagne
As cellar master at the Benedictine Abbey of Hautvillers, Dom Pérignon was instrumental in development of clear, bubbly, cork-popping Champagne.
Destination Brittany, final part (5): The return home
Destination Brittany, travels with Henri, part 5: In which Henri and I kiss our host good-bye, visit Dinan and speed back to Paris.
Junior Year Abroad: The Grape Harvest
At the start of her junior year abroad from Tulane, Texan Kim Sotman discovers vast differences between Texas ranches and Champagne vineyards.
Destination Brittany, part 4 of 5: tu, vous, and ma promenade
Destination Brittany, travels with Henri, part 4 of 5: Just before the party in Dinard on Saturday evening another guest arrived at the neighbor’s house where Henri and I were staying. He was a young actor from Paris and he, too, knocked at the door empty-handed except for his overnight bag.
Destination Brittany, part 3 of 5: party clothes
Destination Brittany, travels with Henri, part 3 of 5: My brother Jon would have loved Dinard. He liked anything with the word resort in it: beach resort, ski resort, island resort, tennis resort. Wearing “smart casual” or “resort casual” came natural to him. After he died in a plane accident in 2006 my three other brothers and I inherited his clothes.
Destination Brittany, part 2 of 5: Exploring the Coast
In which Henri and I explore the Emerald Coast of Brittany from Saint Malo to Cancale by way of Jacques Cartier's house, the sculpted rocks near Rothéneuf and the Point du Grouin
Quakers in France: Finding Friends in Languedoc
Judy Kashoff tells of the history of Quakers in France and settles in for a visit at the Quaker House in Congénies in Languedoc.