This easy peasy lemon squeasy recipe for classic French lemon tart – tarte au citron in French – is easy to make but packs a massive wow factor. It’s delicious on its own or with ice cream or cream. And if you buy pastry instead of making it, is ready to eat from scratch in less than an hour! This is how my neighbour Claudette, the best cook in the village makes it, and I like to dust it with icing sugar for extra sweetness but if you like your tarts tart – leave it out! Ingredients for a lemon tart for 4 1 quantity sweet pastry (recipe here but shop bought pastry saves time!) 4 eggs 2 egg yo ..read more

Wherever you go in France, the patisseries and boulangeries feature jewel like fruit tarts. Encased in sweet pastry, sometimes bathed in a creamy thick custard or on a bed of frangipane as in this recipe. 1 packet of sweet pastry for tarts 1 quantity frangipane (recipe below) 400 g (14 oz) mixed berries 3 tablespoons apricot or other fruit jam (jelly) Ingredients for Frangipane 250 g (9 oz) unsalted butter, softened 250 g (2 cups) icing (confectioners’) sugar 230 g (2¼ cups) ground almonds 40 g (/3 cup) plain (all-purpose) flour 5 eggs, lightly beaten Makes 800 g (1 lb 12 oz)\ Make the frangi ..read more

How to make French style sweet pastry – called pâte sucrée in French – ideal for cakes and tarts. It’s a type of shortcrust pastry, but sweeter, softer and richer than a normal shortcrust pastry. 340 g (2¾ cups) plain (all-purpose) flour Pinch of salt 150 g (5½ oz) unsalted butter 90 g (¾ cup) icing (confectioners’) sugar 2 eggs, beaten Makes 700 g (1 lb 9 oz) Cream the butter and sugar together with a mixer, just lightly, yoi don’t want to much air in it. Add the beaten eggs, one at a time. Add in the flour and salt and mix on a low speed until the flour is mixed in. Remove from the mixer an ..read more

Vines have been grown in the Golfe de Saint-Tropez in the Var department for more than two millennia, planted first by the Phoenicians, then the Romans. The Mediterranean climate, endless days of sunshine and rare rain provide an ideal climate – making the Var the world’s leading producer of rosé wine with more than 40 estates. La vie en rose, white and red Discovering the wines of the Var isn’t just about sipping deliciously pure and fresh rosés, excellent reds and crisp whites! It’s about the landscapes where the grapes ripen – and visiting wineries where you can taste the wine and discover ..read more

Welcome to this ‘petite’ podcast, a bite-sized episode dedicated to May Day in France – a day of celebration and demonstration and a unique tradition of giving Lily of the Valley Flowers to friends and family. Discover a tale of history, romance and drama! The origins of giving Lily of the Valley to those you love has a royal connection that goes back hundreds of years. In fact Kate Middleton even carried these flowers in her wedding bouquet! Find out the fascinating history of May Day in France, the US connection and how France stays true to the origins! Brit Janine Marsh author of four ..read more

When it comes to exclusive tours of France (and indeed the rest of the world), and finding the right company prepared to go to extraordinary lengths to make your dream holiday come true and create unforgettable journeys that are bespoke and special to you, Global Travel Moments pride themselves on going all out to elevate your travels. Duncan Greenfield-Turk of the multi award-winning company says: “Whether you aspire to a lavish escape or the sophistication of cosmopolitan landscapes, we cater to your every desire.” This is no empty boast. With offices in London and New York and a wide-rangi ..read more

The French Riviera is famous for its sunshine, Mediterranean lifestyle, fabulous cuisine and glamorous seaside resorts – and it certainly lives up to the hype. We asked the local agents at award winning Leggett Immobillier to tell us some of their favourite locations. Villefranche-sur-Mer, Alpes Maritimes  Four towns make up the ‘Golden Square’ of the French Riviera: Éze, St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Villefranche-sur-Mer, a town with a ‘lively but discreet atmosphere. It’s a must-visit destination for well-heeled and discerning sun lovers says agent Dan Norris. The horseshoe ..read more

“He is one of the choice ones of the Earth” – Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, was the author of the Declaration of Independence which severed the thirteen American colonies from British rule. He was also one of the most vocal and influential supporters of the French Revolution of 1789. And, as president, he solidified a lasting relationship between the fledging United States and France. All that that and more began in 1784 when Jefferson was appointed by the Congress of the Confederation to join the political mission in Paris of tw ..read more

On the Emerald Coast, within the curved bay of Mont Saint-Michel, east of St-Malo, magnificent oyster beds stretch for miles around the coastline and picturesque fishing port of Cancale in Brittany. It’s one of the best places in France to enjoy oysters says Jeremy Flint. How the French fell in love with oysters 2000 years ago the Romans who came to France were fond of French oysters and small fishing communities began on the shores of the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel to fish the wild oyster beds. King Louis XIV had oysters from Cancale delivered to Versailles – it’s said he would regularly eat ..read more

Few people walking on the square in front of Notre Dame in Paris are aware that right beneath their feet lie the ancient remains of the city – in Europe’s biggest archaeological crypt. Discover the Roman remains beneath the Cathedral of Notre Dame. From Lutetia to Paris The entrance is down a discreet staircase in the northwest corner of the square. You might think it leads to the car park! Look for a pillar with “Crypte du Parvis” engraved on it. The cool air, dim light and quiet ambiance are a strong contrast to the generally busy square that lures tourists to witness one of the most beaut ..read more