Country: France

Meet with a French Pyrenean sheperd and try his products

Posted on by maryse

Come and meet Alexis Jammes and experience transhumance – moving sheep from one pasture to another to provide better conditions for the flock depending on the season – as if you were a shepherd. At 27, Alexis lives in the mountains, always surrounded by his flock of sheep.

He settled in the Aure and Louron valley which are, for him, a real point of reference. He keeps a breed of meat sheep that are famous for their exceptional quality and better traceability thanks to the numerous Pyrenean farms.

With hiking sticks in hand, come and discover this traditional craft, guided by Alexis, who knows the valley better than anyone! Engage in a conversation with Alexis to discover his passion during an active hike amidst the breathtaking landscape.   You will be captivated by his daily routine and have the opportunity to savor a delicious traditional meal prepared with sheep-based products.

Try traditional French mirabelle plum in the heart of Metz

Posted on by maryse

Mélanie Demange is considered as “mother” of the Mirabelle Plum in the region. Mélanie became involved in the agricultural world at a very young age and, at 21, she crossed paths with Mr. Maucourt, who opened the doors for her to take over his family business.

Today, even though some ancient techniques have been replaced by machines, Mélanie remains deeply committed to traditional orchards and methods.

You are invited to explore La Distillerie de Mélanie, the flagship store located in the city of Metz. Visiting  the shop is a fascinating experience where you can learn a lot about the traditional Mirabelle Plum. A second shop is in Marieulles Vezon, where you can discover the process to create Mirabelle products. After all, what would be a stay in Lorraine if you didn’t get to try Melanie’s Mirabelle liquor?

Make your own cheese in the heart of Paris 

Posted on by maryse

For 5 years, Laiterie La Chapelle has been crafting cheeses from cow milk, along with other dairy products like yogurts, desserts, right in the heart of the 18th arrondissement of Paris. It’s the first and only Parisian dairy that processes milk from the region, sourced from a farm located just 35km from the dairy. Furthermore, it’s the first urban dairy to mature its cheeses in the heart of Paris.

Come and explore the art of cheese-making by crafting your own tommette cheese, a little Tomme, a traditional cheese from French mountains. Guided by a cheesemaker from Laiterie La Chapelle, and after a few minutes of training, you’ll get hands-on experience in creating your tommette.

You’ll work in an authentic cheese-making environment right in the dairy’s production room, and your cheeses will then join the cellar. After a necessary 3-month period for your tommette to develop all its flavors, the time will come for you to savor your own cheese.

Visit a cereal farm near Paris and make your own pasta with fresh semolina

Posted on by maryse

After a year of looking for ways to improve his business, in 2017 Martial Machaudon decided to transform the family wheat farm into an artisan dry pasta factory, aiming to rediscover the natural flavors of cereals in his products.

Through his 17 hectares of sustainable agriculture, Martial wants to work with respect for the environment. Clay-limestone soils and his expertise enable him to grow durum wheat and give his dry pasta a unique, flavorful taste. 

In this experience, you will embark on a tour of his fields, during which Martial will explain the harvesting process and share his knowledge about transforming wheat into semolina. Then, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in the workshop to cook your own pasta. After the workshop, a lunch will be organized at the farm where you can enjoy the pasta you’ve prepared. You can’t get more “farm-to-table” than that.

Taste local products at a French oyster farm in Rochefort, near the Atlantic Ocean

Posted on by maryse

Since 1990, Philippe and Julie Menadier have been oyster-farming in the Seudre swamps near Marennes and the Ile d’Oléron. In 2020, the Menadier family inaugurated a magnificent tasting hut at the heart of their farm, enabling them to share their passion for oyster-farming, which punctuates their daily routine.

The quality of their Label Rouge products and their way to do this job with passion have strengthened the reputation of these independent producers over the years.

Come and discover this tasting hut and enjoy Philippe and Julie’s oysters. The hut offers also shrimps and mussels, so you have a wide array of options to try fresh produce direct from the sea. It’s an excellent opportunity to enter Philippe and Julie’s world, rich in experience, who are always happy to share their anecdotes and their passion for this craft.

Discover the craft beers brewed in a French Abbey near Saint-Omer

Posted on by maryse

Nestled in a region steeped in history, Cairmarais Abbey, built in 1140 and renovated in the 17th century, bears witness to a rich historical heritage. It’s within this magnificent backdrop that exquisite beers are meticulously crafted.

The aspiration is to brew abbey-style beers, a nod to Clairmarais Abbey’s historical role as a brewery, when Charlemagne, a French king, had entrusted the monopoly of beer-making to monks, which lasted between the 9th and 14th centuries.

You will embark on a tour of the brewery led by the passionate Laurent Delafosse. He’ll tell you all about the history of the place, the founding of the Cairmarais Abbey in 1140 and the origins of the brewery. Afterwards, a tasting of traditional beers awaits you. This experience is a unique journey that harmoniously combines tradition, heritage, local crafts, nature, walks and intriguing discoveries.

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