This was such fun to read. Thank you for the excellent travel guide/slice of your and Romain's lives.
The roses (new laptop; sorry for no accents) from Languedoc are my favorite. In La Dordogne, we get L'Inattendu from Julien de Savignac in Le Bugue. So light/sweet without being too sweet. In the States I have ordered (though choked over the price) Hampton Water at $19.99 from wine.com. Imagine my surprise at finding it in a Carrefour mini mart in Villereal for 12 euros.
In the States I miss beurre demi-sel aux cristaux de sel de mer. There's nothing like cutting a knife through a block and seeing those crystals. And the taste, good grief. I've wondered if I could take the best butter I can find here and mix it with my daughter-in-law's Australian Murray River Salt Crystals (of substantial size, and I have tons) and come up with a reasonable alternative. Here in central Florida the butter choices are limited, although you can find Kerrygold and Plugra. One day one of my suitcases will be filled with that butter and some dry ice.
Definitely not too long a newsletter. I loved it! I would also like to see the two videos of you guys trying to fold up the 2 seconds tent! I really want to try out the gîtes, they sound wonderful. Thank you for making my day today reading your post. 💕
I laughed out loud when I read your comment on how the French find fans, air conditioners etc not good for their health, it is the same in the UK, I know our son felt it last Summer. I’d much rather be above the grass, and I know we are expecting exceptional heat here in Australia this year. Your accommodation looks stunning, you certainly lucked out there. I am in the process of talking my husband into travelling back to the UK next year plus a side trip to Honfleur, so will check out Gites de France. You mentioned Belgium for Moules et Frittes, certainly noticed that in Brugge, particularly the frittes, it was almost like their National dish. In relation to salted against unsalted, I recently made Yo Yo’s with salted butter by mistake, definitely could taste the difference, and as much as I like my salt I think they are better without. The salt in France is so much better also. Wow! That seafood platter, amazing and I’d love to try Butter Caramel ice cream. And I am so jealous of the beautiful looking Burrata on top of the tomatoes and olives. Another laugh re the tent, pour moi aussi, impossible! And I promise you, next year you won’t remember. 😁 thanks for another great read.
There was an article in the NYT this summer about how old people in Italy were suffering dramatically from the heat during the heatwaves, with medical professionals and gvt folks advising them (as they do in France) to stay indoors, out of the heat. But the elderly people said they didn't even have fans (which cost as little as €15 in France) likely because they didn't like the air moving around them believing that drafts cause illness, as I've heard here too....even when it's 95ºF/35ºC. 15k people died in France during the heatwave in 2003, which is a lot. For the record: We have 3 fans!
That is so sad David, different mentality I guess. I have just turned 79, wow that sounds old when I put it in print lol…. Still fit and healthy, thank goodness, but know full well that me and the heat don’t go well anymore. Definitely no sunning myself for hours on end.
You mention the salted butter of the region. How is it different (and clearly more special!) than typical salted butter? I could probably google it but want to hear you're take. Thanks!!
The butter is of better quality, generally. In Normandy for example, which is famous for it's cream/butter, the race of cows, Normand, their milk has higher protein and just better flavor because of what they eat, the type of cows, etc. Also raw milk butter has more flavor than the pasteurized stuff.
In France, you can find them mi-cuit, partially dried, which don't last very long as they're quite moist, but those are the most delicious. Am not sure where to get Pruneaux d'Agen outside of France but a search engine can probably help out with that ;)
David, I have one of those wonderful, awful tents, too. We use to take it to Cape May, NJ when the kids were little. (They are no longer little). Those tents are a great way to ruin a wonderful day at the beach. There I would be with two small sunburn children at the end of the day as I am trying to wrangle that tent into a round to shove it into the bag. (Without swearing too loud). Most of the time a nice man would come over and help. It now resides in my garage and I have no plans to take it our of the bag ever again.
I thought they were awful too...until I finally figured out how to fold the darn thing. It's annoying they don't have a very good, clear video on how to fold it (they do for the tents) but like you, we often ended the day simply squishing it as small as possible when leaving the beach, and leaving it as that.
Excellent! Thank you for giving nearly as much time to Languedoc as to Brittany. I totally agree with you about appreciating the warm, swimmable Mediterranean waters with the more reliable summer weather. Up till now, have usually done further east, in the Gard and Camargue. Gruissan is Languedoc profond, but your recommendations have convinced me it is time to move further west along the coast. And I put in an order with Maison LeRoux.
I love you long letters. They give so many tips and recommendations. I have been to many regions of France and although the south is lovely, I prefer Normandy. It’s not too far to drive and the food is great - great cheeses, butter and Calvados! I’m with Romain. - give me Normandy!
I remember andouille. My landlady served it periodically. I had to eat it out of politeness. I found that covering in mustard and not looking too closely is the way to go.
Wonderful newsletter and looks like a lovely vacation. But I need the sweary tent-folding video!
I totally missed what happened to cause surgery - the foot?
This was such fun to read. Thank you for the excellent travel guide/slice of your and Romain's lives.
The roses (new laptop; sorry for no accents) from Languedoc are my favorite. In La Dordogne, we get L'Inattendu from Julien de Savignac in Le Bugue. So light/sweet without being too sweet. In the States I have ordered (though choked over the price) Hampton Water at $19.99 from wine.com. Imagine my surprise at finding it in a Carrefour mini mart in Villereal for 12 euros.
In the States I miss beurre demi-sel aux cristaux de sel de mer. There's nothing like cutting a knife through a block and seeing those crystals. And the taste, good grief. I've wondered if I could take the best butter I can find here and mix it with my daughter-in-law's Australian Murray River Salt Crystals (of substantial size, and I have tons) and come up with a reasonable alternative. Here in central Florida the butter choices are limited, although you can find Kerrygold and Plugra. One day one of my suitcases will be filled with that butter and some dry ice.
Definitely not too long a newsletter. I loved it! I would also like to see the two videos of you guys trying to fold up the 2 seconds tent! I really want to try out the gîtes, they sound wonderful. Thank you for making my day today reading your post. 💕
Exquisite tales of your summer adventures! Glad you weren't "poisoned". (grin)
Me too!
I laughed out loud when I read your comment on how the French find fans, air conditioners etc not good for their health, it is the same in the UK, I know our son felt it last Summer. I’d much rather be above the grass, and I know we are expecting exceptional heat here in Australia this year. Your accommodation looks stunning, you certainly lucked out there. I am in the process of talking my husband into travelling back to the UK next year plus a side trip to Honfleur, so will check out Gites de France. You mentioned Belgium for Moules et Frittes, certainly noticed that in Brugge, particularly the frittes, it was almost like their National dish. In relation to salted against unsalted, I recently made Yo Yo’s with salted butter by mistake, definitely could taste the difference, and as much as I like my salt I think they are better without. The salt in France is so much better also. Wow! That seafood platter, amazing and I’d love to try Butter Caramel ice cream. And I am so jealous of the beautiful looking Burrata on top of the tomatoes and olives. Another laugh re the tent, pour moi aussi, impossible! And I promise you, next year you won’t remember. 😁 thanks for another great read.
There was an article in the NYT this summer about how old people in Italy were suffering dramatically from the heat during the heatwaves, with medical professionals and gvt folks advising them (as they do in France) to stay indoors, out of the heat. But the elderly people said they didn't even have fans (which cost as little as €15 in France) likely because they didn't like the air moving around them believing that drafts cause illness, as I've heard here too....even when it's 95ºF/35ºC. 15k people died in France during the heatwave in 2003, which is a lot. For the record: We have 3 fans!
That is so sad David, different mentality I guess. I have just turned 79, wow that sounds old when I put it in print lol…. Still fit and healthy, thank goodness, but know full well that me and the heat don’t go well anymore. Definitely no sunning myself for hours on end.
Such an informative and hilarious post! I love all your work but your summer vacation posts are always the best.
A gorgeous newsletter, full of humor, information and excellent photography of my favorite thing—food. Thank you so much.
You mention the salted butter of the region. How is it different (and clearly more special!) than typical salted butter? I could probably google it but want to hear you're take. Thanks!!
The butter is of better quality, generally. In Normandy for example, which is famous for it's cream/butter, the race of cows, Normand, their milk has higher protein and just better flavor because of what they eat, the type of cows, etc. Also raw milk butter has more flavor than the pasteurized stuff.
Ah! Thank you. Likely we can’t get anything close here in the States, but I’ll start experimenting 😊 Merci!
Another wonderful newsletter with great photos! Thanks😎
Brittany looks delightful! Is there a recipe available for pruneaux d’Agen? It looks delicious!!
Liz Johnson
Pruneaux d'Agen are simply dried French prunes: https://www.pruneau.fr/
In France, you can find them mi-cuit, partially dried, which don't last very long as they're quite moist, but those are the most delicious. Am not sure where to get Pruneaux d'Agen outside of France but a search engine can probably help out with that ;)
Thank you!
David, I have one of those wonderful, awful tents, too. We use to take it to Cape May, NJ when the kids were little. (They are no longer little). Those tents are a great way to ruin a wonderful day at the beach. There I would be with two small sunburn children at the end of the day as I am trying to wrangle that tent into a round to shove it into the bag. (Without swearing too loud). Most of the time a nice man would come over and help. It now resides in my garage and I have no plans to take it our of the bag ever again.
I thought they were awful too...until I finally figured out how to fold the darn thing. It's annoying they don't have a very good, clear video on how to fold it (they do for the tents) but like you, we often ended the day simply squishing it as small as possible when leaving the beach, and leaving it as that.
Excellent! Thank you for giving nearly as much time to Languedoc as to Brittany. I totally agree with you about appreciating the warm, swimmable Mediterranean waters with the more reliable summer weather. Up till now, have usually done further east, in the Gard and Camargue. Gruissan is Languedoc profond, but your recommendations have convinced me it is time to move further west along the coast. And I put in an order with Maison LeRoux.
Oh, please do share the tent videos!
I love you long letters. They give so many tips and recommendations. I have been to many regions of France and although the south is lovely, I prefer Normandy. It’s not too far to drive and the food is great - great cheeses, butter and Calvados! I’m with Romain. - give me Normandy!
I remember andouille. My landlady served it periodically. I had to eat it out of politeness. I found that covering in mustard and not looking too closely is the way to go.