Today the sun has been shining all day long and summer feels like it is well and truly here. I’ve been out and about in St Omer and nearby villages in the Nord-Pas de Calais region in the far north of France. I visited a boulangerie with an award winning baker who makes the most amazing bread, a fabulous cheese shop with unique cheeses, a brewery which produces some of the best beers in the north and to the last French Genièvre distillery in France. What’s genièvre? It’s like gin but not quite, it’s a very traditional distilled drink in the north and there were once more than 70 producers in France – now this is the last French one left and they’re still using the original equipment and techniques. I’m looking forward to tell you all about my visit soon! I think that the north of France is a bit of a secret when it comes to knowing about the artisans who quietly beaver away creating great cheeses, jams, bread, cakes, vegetables, meat products, beers and wines and more… and I’m on a mission to tell everyone about them!
Hope you have a very bon weekend where ever you are,
With best wishes,
Janine
For the last two weeks I’ve had a work experience student in my office with me. Her name is Katie Saint and she’s been brilliant, you’ll be hearing more from her soon but here is her first article for The Good Life France:
The history of French baguettes: Did you know that they used to be made up to 6 feet long?!
The Opal Coast in photos: This rather undiscovered coastline of northern France is simply stunning with its mosaic of colourful fields, fabulous cliff top views and picturesque fishing villages…
The Crab Festival of Audresselles: The annual crab festival at this tiny fishing village that time forgot is very authentic and huge fun…
The Matisse Chapel in Vence: Margaret Clare visits this most beautiful little chapel, designed by the great Matisse at the end of his life, a fitting legacy…
Ypres and the Menin Gate Memorial: I nipped across the border into Belgium and visited the Menin Gate Memorial, a solemn visit in a very beautiful town…
Josephine Baker’s Chateau des Milandes: Bob Lyons visits the Chateau once owned by the legendary American entertainer…
Georges Lévêque– the French garden guru: an interview with the Monty Don of France reveals a charming man with a passion for roses…
Fleeting Glimpse of the Dordogne Valley: Bob Lyons spends 3 days in the Dordogne and takes in 10 key sites…
Flea markets – more than you bargained for: Diane Martin tells how visiting flea markets in France has improved her French and her feeling of belonging…
From our 2014 Writing contest finalists:
Handstands in Miramas: Liz Cleere: Memories of a school exchange visit to France have never left Liz Cleere…
Learning French the highs and lows: Susana Iwase Hanson: An expat in France’s view of learning the language – its not all “les doigts dans le néz” (fingers in the nose) meaning easy in French!
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