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During our travels, we do enjoy
trying exotic things abroad.Here are some of these marvels.
| RESTAURANTS - FRANCE | Local Cuisine/ petits restaurants locaux tres agreables (Desole, on ne traduit pas tout; vous pouvez donc attraper votre dictionnaire.) | ||
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SAINT OMER |
A delicious Savoyard restaurant decided to settle down in a near-costal
town. The owner and staff are very efficient and friendly (they did let
us go upstairs, as downstairs was smokey, even though we were the only people
upstairs) the menu outstanding, and I was hoping for something super unhealthy
style potatoes-cheese-meat-more potatoes but it wasn't even unhealthy, quite
light really but a delicious taste of the Alpes in a close by town. (only
3.5 hours from London) As the owner said "we tried to bring the Savoie
to people who go skying in winter but do not want to wait till then to eat
nice Savoyard food" .Too right! Excellent friendly market in St Omer, on saturdays. Nicer than Boulogne, really. |
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SAINT OMER 11,place Pierre Bonhomme 62500 St Omer Tel:03 21 98 33 33 |
A very very good traditionnal French restaurant, which is slightly nouvelle cuisine (they lay the plates nicely and add strawberries) but the portions are good enough, just enough so you still have a little bit of space for the lovely enormous and extensive cheese board and dessert! Excellent. Lovely. Very good service, and fast , just what is needed for a lunch. |
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Le Filet Bleu |
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SAINT-LO Tel: 02 33 55 21 93 |
This lovely restaurant is a bit too much nouvelle cuisine style(small portions) but specialises in fish, and is just gorgeous! It was enough food by the end, though. |
[2] |
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WIERRE-EFFROY Ferme du Vert, Hôtel Restaurant 62720 WIERRE - EFFROY Tel: 03 21 87 67 00 |
Great value meals for France! They serve the finest foods available around there: Foie gras, confit, etc, and great desserts. No good for vegetarians. Very upmarket service, very very good wines. They also do their own cheese. Lovely! Plus it's full of Booooys! Ohhhhh |
A
Choumas' [3] |
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LE-PUY-EN-VELAIS 1,Place Cadelade 43000 Le Puy en Velay Tel: 04 71 03 03 94 |
Have you heard of the famous "lentilles du Puy" NO? You need to get out more often then. The famous brown lentils come from this town. And they served them in this little restaurant, which was marvelous: the waitress was very very warm, very keen, very helpful, very pretty, and the dishes amazing. Great lunch. THe only thing I'd say about the town is it smells of drains, which does spoil the meal a bit(smell of Ariel washing powder, pouah) Recommended if you don't mind washing powder smells. It s worth trying. |
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ARCACHON Jetee Thiers 33120 Arcachon Tel: 05 56 83 33 17 |
Very good big restaurant on the sea front in Arcachon. Friendly service, and nice food. To my request, they even served me parsley tea, which is a sign of quality. Good atmosphere. Good mussels. Delicious, actually. Arcachon is famous for its oysters. | |
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ALENCON 122 Av de la division Leclerc 72170 Beaumont Sur Sarthe Tel: 02 43 33 31 07 |
An excellent regional restaurant which offers some good local specialities.In that case we got Rillettes, from the local butcher.Very smilly waitress, and very entertaining customers who stick bread bins on their heads and get told off by their straight-laced wives. Very good meal, lots of fun. And very good wines too. | |
[6] |
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REIMS Tel: 03 26 40 03 25 |
This restaurant deserves a good review. Owned and ran by the landlord,
we were the only customers in there, on a friday night. The restaurant
is situated in the middle of houses, (looks like a house's front room)
far away from the mains streets of Reims, in what seemed not such a nice
subburb (where Hotel au Tambour is). |
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COLMAR Route de la Schlucht 68140 Soultzeren Tel: 03 89 77 31 87 |
Even though we were stuffed like pigs at the lovely "chez Fabienne" table d'hotes, I wanted to try an Alsacian Sourkrout, and the only time left for it was at lunch, in between a big breakfast, big dinner the night before and a big dinner coming the very evening. Anyway, we got some superb sourkrout...a whole pork, nearly as bad as "le Pescadou" 'special de la semaine:choucroute garnie'which was very bad.(as in very big) Anyway, it was delicious, and unfortunatly the evening meal was also delicious...Aaaah I m sick just thinking of all that food. Lovely. And don't say I'm skinny, I can be very unhealthy too. | |
[7] |
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VAL D'YSERE 73150 Val d'Ysere Tel: 04 79 41 14 62 |
We just stoped there for a warm drink,(particularly fine mint-limeflower
tea from Twinnings) but you may stop there yourself for a fondue, raclette
or crepes in all kinds. I' m only putting this link there because the service was wonderful, and done by very handsome boys, very pleasant, warm and chatty. What a nice place to be! We also stopped there because the postcard shop was still having their lunch at 4 in the afternoon. |
[18] |
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BOULOGNE Tel: 03 21 80 37 41 |
This is a friendly small restaurant, in the old Town at the top of Boulogne. The first time I went there, I was delighted, very good bread tart, but the second time, the atmosphere wasn't as good (staff slagging off each other in front of customers) and the cuisine wasn't finally that fine (a lot of fried stuff) Ah well, try it if you come this way, otherwise there are plenty more fish in Boulogne. |
TABLES
D'HOTES |
(formulae bedroom-evening meal eating with other guests, with landlord) /formule tres tres sympathique | ||
Chez
Fabienne |
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MULHOUSE 31 Grand' Rue Tel: 03 89 82 24 31 |
First time in a Table d'hote: and we chose the right one! Very friendly welcome, very pretty bedrooms all touched with a personnal decor, and the meal...aperitif served in the lounge, with apetizers, then a meal with local dishes, mostly pork, potatoes, cheese, but some vegetables. Excellent, and you are pushed to eat like 5, which I did twice, and that was a nice start of holiday (but hard to get up in the morning) Breakfast is excellent, again she does her best. Homemade cakes, homemade jams, and to my biggest joy she provided some garlic with olive oil. Just lovely. We didn't want to leave. |
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MOUTIERS |
Second day at a table d'hote. Very old manor, excellent location and the decore is very nice. The bedroom was simple but with style. The meal was delicious,local dishes and a lot of homemade things. The host was very friendly, and very keen to please. He even crushed some garlic for me for breakfast, along with homemade bread, homemade jams and more. Very good. | |
| CHAMBRES D'HOTES | formulae bedroom in a familly place, without the evening meal /formule tres sympathique | ||
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PARTHENAY Tel: 05 49 95 50 60 |
Wow, that's what I call a real Holiday place! A brave English familly bought this ruin 15 years ago, and did it up with talent and perseverance. The castle is amazing, the bedrooms unbelievable, and the Castle lady welcomed us with a lot of warmth and help. Breakfast is outstanding: the best . Homemade jams, homemade bacon and cheese baguette, cereals, thousands of herbal teas, yogurt and fresh compote, I was even ashamed to turn up with my garlic (which I decided to eventually buy some, after having been in a hotel that didn't have any) Amazing. But don't tell it to your friends. Otherwise we won't be able to get in anymore. (also got swimming pool) | |
| HOTELS | Local bedrooms(with and without evening meals/ avec ou sans restaurant). | ||
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LILLE 77 rue de la gare 62840 Sailly-sur- La Lys Tel : (33) 03 21 02 68 20 |
A very unusual hotel...Imagine going back to the 30's, and taking the
train to some exotic location like Marseille or somewhere else. Here,
near Lille, is a very friendly revamped train station, and a antique 1930's
carriage with compartiments to sleep in. It s uncomparable. This carriage
is one of the 2 left in France of its style. Facilities include bunk beds,
or 90" beds, excellent shower, clean rooms, and a very very good
restaurant. Try the local specialities: potlevetch(ahem the spelling),
or terrines. Salads are very good too, and the desserts sublime |
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Hotel
au Tambour
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REIMS Tel: 03 26 40 59 22 |
Clean hotel and decent if you are passing by Reims and fancy stopping by to check out champagne producers. They did not tell us though that after they shut, at 10pm, to be able to get in, you need to activate a flashing swipe thing with a magnetic keyring thing they give you; so we just stayed outside,banging like mad, and nobody even came to tell us how to get in. We eventually found out, but thought that was a bit poor of them not to mention it. The do not have a restaurant, so I recommend "au petit bouchon" down the road. Nice swimming pool, and good breakfast. |
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WIERRE-EFFROY Ferme du Vert, Hôtel Restaurant 62720 WIERRE - EFFROY Tel: 03 21 87 67 00 |
Are you going for a day trip to Boulogne? Lucky you! But if you do want to stay overnight, why not drive up to Vierre Efroy, where the Ferme du Vert will welcome you to it's old converted farm house, dating from Napoleon. The rooms are amazing, the place retreated, quiet and as a client you will be very looked after.The restaurant is a dream, and the meal can be up to 7 courses, that are served traditionally, slowly. All for €37 per person! Some of the diners are quite upmarket, so unlike me, you might want to avoid looking like a floozy, to not attract attention. They also serve and sell their own cheese and beer. Amazing. | |
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MURAT 34 Av. du Dr Mallet 15300 Murat Tel: 04 71 20 01 25 |
Very comfortable hotel, and beautiful.Warm welcome. Covered swimming pool,
gym, and little garden available. Breakfast was a bit too ordinary(no homemade
jams) but they dug me out some garlic which was nice. Worth the stay. Poor restaurants in the area, though. (this hotel does not do meals) It is the opportunity to do a little diet, and rather than stuffing yourself, go and walk in the beautiful hills nearby. |
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BOLLENE Tel: 04 90 40 08 08 |
Neat hotel in a busy town. The owner of the hotel, who was doing the kitchen
porter when we arrived,turned into the Bell man, then became the Chef, and
then became the Waiter. His wife does reception. Man of many talents, I
say. Very good food, very nice hotel. |
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VENDAYS 1, route de Lesparre 33930 Vendays Montalivet Tel: 05 56 41 70 34 |
"Chez Gilles et Marika Bernaud " is the other name of this very nice hotel restaurant close to the naturist beaches of the Medoc. A very warm place, which unfortunatly is closed till 7pm, and do outstanding dinners. Very nouvelle cuisine but enough of it, makes the particularity of this hotel which does deserve some stars. Very nice waiters, and good breakfast. Warm atmosphere. The bedrooms are all individually decorated with a woman's touch. Worth the stay. | |
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ALENCON Place de la Gare 72170 Vivoin Tel: 02 43 97 00 05 |
A very good looking building, with very strangely decorated rooms: it feels like a convent with this 50s decoration. Very nice, very weird! Warm welcome, the staff are very attentionned and helpful. Unfortunatly we did not try their restaurant, but the breakfast was very nice, and the waiter brought me about a litre of olive oil to eat with my garlic. Very good, I say. | |
| LOCAL PRODUCE | Local cheese farms, wine, shops, etc../ Produits locaux et merveilleux | ||
'A
lafayette' Mercerie (aberdashery) |
BOULOGNE 50 Rue Thiers 62200 Boulogne-sur-mer Tel: 03 21 31 47 93 |
An excellent aberdashery, visited by many British people. Their excuse: "all our aberdasheries are closing down in the UK" .In this shop, you get extremely good and friendly service, by people who are down to earth and knowledgeable about everything regarding sewing. Prices are good. They have a lot of patterns in stock (unlike London where you have to go to John Lewis for them...what a shame) |
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Champagne Bernard |
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DIZY 116, rue Daniele Casanova 51530 Dizy Tel: 03 26 55 24 78 |
We were spoiled for choice when we decided to stop at a local producer of champagne (having decided not to go for the big boring commercial names) and we chose this one, in the middle of the small village of Dizzy. The lady spent a lot of time with us, even though she was in a rush,explained all the processing of the champagne, how it s got to mature for 4 years to get rid of the acidity of it (if you drink champagne which is acidic when it goes down your throat, it means it s not the best stuff) but aparently all producers cannot afford to keep it that long, so they sell it off way before they should. Anyway, she was charming and lovely, and the champagne was delicious. Go there! |
Vin
St Emilion: Chateau Godeau [13] |
ST EMILION Saint Laurent Des combes 33330 St Emilion Tel: 05 57 24 72 64 |
A very interesting wine seller, who took a lot of time answering questions, most of it in a perfect English. Very nice wine, and very good prices. Very fruity. They use a lot of Merlot, like in traditionnal St Emilion wines. They do not take credit cards, so bring a lot of cash with you. | |
Vin
St Emilion: Chateau Tour Pourret [13] |
ST EMILION Chateau Tour Pourret 33330 St Emilion Tel: 05 57 24 72 61 |
A more heavy tasting St Emilion, using 65% cabernet Franc and 35% merlot.
They have a credit card machine but it seems to not like English cards, so you will also need alot of cash when you come here. |
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Alsace
Cheese [7] |
MUNSTER 68380 Breitenbach CHRISTLESGUT Tel: 03 89 77 51 11 |
Local cheese sold on a shop near the road; the unique MUNSTER. After 4 days drive in the sun, the cheese had reached incredible aromas, but was delicious(I was glad to get rid of it, so it perfumed someone's fridge rather than the car)If you dislike Munster, try this one before you make a definitive judgment. Industrial rubbish is nothing comparing to this. Try it.Real farm cheese. | |
Ets
Fraunie (Cheese) [19] |
SAINT OMER Market, in the middle, saturdays Tel: 03 21 82 36 96 |
If you are browsing in Saint Omer, and want to get some cheese, get to the lorry of this familly cheesemen, they have a wide selection of delicious cheeses,many of them being specially bought at small farms (organic Tomme, 18 cows-Munsters cheeses) They are very helpful and good, definitly the best cheese stand on the market on saturdays.Unlike others, they do not specialise in factory outlets- wrapped cheeses. | |
Cantal
cheese |
THIEZAC Tel: 04 71 47 52 16 |
If you stop in Middle France, you have to try the Cantal cheese. But this one must be the best one I have ever eaten. To have the right to the "appelation" Cantal, the cows which produce the milk are only allowed to eat grass and hay, and no GM, no dead chicken feathers blended with soya beans or no dead cows meat, and have to be outside a bit part of the year. This little farm in the hills has wonderful cantal, and tome, which is very fresh curd not yet processed to become Cantal. They also sell Pounti, a local delicacie, and any other speciality you can think of, they have. Amazing cheese. | |
| Annecy
'Glacier des Alpes' [14] |
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ANNECY 16 Rue Perriere 74000 Annecy Tel: 04 50 51 08 86 |
This artisanal Ice cream shop is so well known that people in health food shops will come out of their way and explain to you in great details where it is, making sure you don't get lost, to get to this ice cream heaven. Even I had to try it. Dozens of different flavours, like violet-honey, licorice, walnut, tiramisu, milk jam, and more of the ordinary ones like banana, strawberry, pistachion, cookie, coconut, pink grapefruit, melon, mango, coffee, chocolate, white chocolate, and of course Vanilla. They do not use artificial colours, and flavours, well at least not obvious ones. It s delightful. |
Conserves de Canards Gras [15] |
CAHORS Tel: 05 65 31 95 18 |
An artisanal duck farm that sells products at the local market. Excellent 100% duck pate(no pork added) and very good but expensive Foie gras. They also sell rillettes, confits, magrets de canards, and other lovely duck dishes. |
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Organic
shop "sarl Au quercy Bio" [15] |
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CAHORS Tel: 05 65 23 00 39 |
A big organic food store, with a lot of choice that you do not get in England. I was very surprised to see that most fresh frhuit they were selling were green and unripe, what was the organic thing about, again? The sales assistant was very very helpful and friendly, and did know what she was talking about, which was nice. A very good shop for all your organic produce, except the fruit. They even sell moon books and propolis extract in alcohol.Wooohhh! |
Organic
shop "Vert de terre" [16] |
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TOULOUSE 17, rue Peyras 31000 Toulouse Tel: 05 61 21 11 86 |
Open monday-saturday 9.30am till 8pm (probably with 2 hours lunch) Very friendly and cosy little organic store. This shop has a lot of different products which again I haven't seen anywhere else. If you need powdered soups with seaweed, come here...Very nice shop assistant... |
Organic
shop "Biosoma" [17] |
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AGEN 50 Cours du 14 Juillet 47000 Agen Tel: 05 53 67 13 00 |
A shop which also sells a big variety of natural things, including salt lamps, and eye make up which I haven't managed to find anywhere else(made wihout any chemicals) The shop assistants are a bit average, not if you pass by Agen you may want to browse in there and get your stock of organic soja mince or organic meat, whatever you prefer. |
| 'MOTHER IN LAW'S LINKS: things just for her. "Liens pour belle-mere" pour la faire partir en courant. | |||
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ARCACHON |
I have never yet came into a place with such ABOMINABLE service. If you
want to impress Mother in Law and make her think that even YOU are nice,
bring her here. Arriving there, we were pushed into a dark corner as we
were not eating, The service was rudely ironic, they did not propose caffeine
free hot drinks; we eventually ordered a coffee, which took 10 minutes to
come, and as we decided to go, the "waiter"rushed to bring the
ordered coffee, didn't bring the water I asked for, and that bloke (big
moustaches) just stood there, in front of us, stopping us from getting anywhere,
staring in an unpleasant and rude way, waiting for his money. The best Mother in Law link so far. Well done guys.That's worth 5 mother-in-law heads, |
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EGUISHEIM BP Nunero1 68420 Eguisheim Tel: 03 89 21 62 30 |
Fancy impressing your mates? Or your mother in law in that case? Tell her this wine people sell their wine to restaurants like "Gordon Ramsay" and "Manoir aux Quat' saisons" which are obviously overpriced UK restaurants. These people are not independant vignerons, they need to buy grapes off their neighbours to complete their own, which is not a sign of quality for a start. Then the woman, in a very irritating posh English -French accent starts saying things like "we do not sell wine to the Masses""we sell to refined people with taste " basically, if you are a pratt you'll be impressed by it and buy some wine, and if you are not you will go and get one from someone who doesn't fart higher than their own arse. As expensive as a bottle of champagne. Not worth it. |
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Tel: 04 71 20 14 22 |
Do you have a dairy intolerant-vegetarian mother in law close to hand?
If yes, this is the right place to bring her so she never wants to see you
again: in this little town, you cannot get any food served after 9pm. (due
to aging population). In this particular retaurant,You will not get any
vegetables, they do not have any, but insipid lettuce, which I had both
for starter and main course.The local specialities being Cantal and Tomme,
you will have to try the brick load of Tartiflette and Truffade, which are
actually very nice, but very very filling, with potatoes, cheese, chips
and meat as starter. Your mother in law will definitly not come back for more. And be constipated for the next fortnight.(nice customers though) |
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LAGEON 18, route de la Liberte 79200 Lageon Tel: 05 49 69 82 11 |
A truckers restaurant, with 2 separate rooms, one for truckers and one for casual people.The food is abundants, particularly the starters, but the quality is poor, frozen food, fried, not very tasty and desserts which have that little special "fridge" taste to them. The service was quite nice, but the food isn't worth the detour. We didn't even get to meet any lorry drivers, they were so well concilled. Ah well... | ||