My dearest friend, Pauline Warneck, travels a lot and tells me the most interesting stories! She’s agreed to share some of her adventures here with us. (Watch out for her posts every first Monday of the month.) I’m so excited – it’s almost like taking a trip with her! Imagine how much we can learn from her experiences!
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The Softer Side of France
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| by Pauline Warneck |
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Call me a snob but I think Paris is overrated. A lot of movies and travel guides only focus on the City of Lights, the glamour, the fashion scene, the iconic tower and the countless museums. Another overrated place is the south of France, the Côte d’Azur, the festivals of Cannes and once again, the glamour, the fashion scene, etc etc.
I am lucky enough to be married to a Frenchman since this allows me to see a different side of the country. A side that’s simpler, where people are so pleasant they say ‘Bonjour!’ to strangers. Where food comes from natural sources and where you can just sit down on a hill overlooking a peaceful, small town and feel truly grateful for just being there.
This is the French countryside that tourists rarely see.
Last summer, I explored the department of Isère and Savoie on the eastern side of France where my in-laws live and had a lot of wonderful experiences (especially the food!).
There are fields of sunflowers as far as the eye can see. The countryside is full of them.
Found this little castle, the Château de Fallavier in the small town of Saint Quentin Fallavier.
Lunch at a true-blue French auberge, the Auberge Dauphinois, is divine! It may not have a Michelin star, but the food is delicious.
The Auberge Dauphinois
haricot verte salad, the ever-present homemade French bread, steak with gratin Dauphinois, and French fruit salad
Also had a countryside dinner prepared by my sister-in-law for my mother-in-law’s birthday. We had salad, smoked salmon and rice.
Dessert of homemade sorbet with melon strips on waffle cups, and let’s not forget the chocolate birthday cake.
Had this rhubarb quiche in an aunt’s house. Never ate rhubarb before so this was a new food experience. My aunt got the rhubarb from her own backyard garden.
Of course, no French meal is complete without cheese.
Went to Bourget du Lac, a small town in the Savoie region right beside the Lac du Bourget (Bourget Lake), husband and I had lunch at this small restaurant.
Had escargot (snails) for appetizer. Yummy!
I had the petits poissons friture (small fish from the lake), fried to perfection and my husband had his favourite, the tartiflette (potatoes and bacon au gratin with a delicious Reblochon cheese and white wine creamy sauce).
petits poissons friture
Lac du Bourget
Here I am, up on a hill overlooking the French countryside, and thinking how lucky I am to be there.
Pauline Warneck is a full-time housewife, part-time writer, avid traveler, and yogini for life. She and her husband are currently residing in the U.A.E.
