Chocolate lovers round the world know some of the best chocolate in Europe comes from chocolate cities like Brussels and Perguia. But did you know that it was the modest Basque city of Bayonne in the south west of France that was pivotal in chocolate’s spread across Europe? Often overshadowed by its glitzier neighbor, Biarritz, and as a stopover on…
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Bayonne: France’s Capital of Cocoa
36 Hours in French Basque Country
Just 15 miles inland from the glitz of Biarritz and the seaside charm of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, the Pays Basque hinterland feels a world away. It’s here that the steep coastal cliffs give way to the craggy foothills of the Pyrenees. The houses and villages have a distinct architectural style that, if not for the car we’re zipping round the narrow country…
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What to Expect During the Grape Harvest in Bordeaux
As September rolls around, Bordeaux is always a flurry of activity. The harvest in Bordeaux, or le vendage, is one of the most critical parts of the entire wine making process. It’s the time when the winemaker feels they’ve achieved the perfect balance in the vineyard. The vineyards are suddenly full of vendanguers (literally grape pickers) and getting stuck behind…
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Caviar de Neuvic: Visit an Aquitaine Caviar Farm
Crémant wishes and caviar dreams. The stuff of Hollywood, caviar has long been one of those global luxury foods that regularly graces the silver screen. But it was one of the finest things in life long before Hollywood was telling us so. The ultimate in luxury, the tiny little black caviar pearls have been coveted by kings long before truffles…
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The DIY Food Tour of Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Basque Country: typically thought of as the northern sliver of Spain, most people think of San Sebastián. But there’s the French Basque Country (Pays Basque, as it’s known in French) too, with three departments marrying some of the best of France and Spain together in a tiny area occupying the southwest corner of the Nouvelle Aquitaine region. While many tout…
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