St Tropez – nothing succeeds like excess

St Tropez is quiet simply, the most famous resort in Europe – and it has attracted the artistic and dissolute long before BB ( Brigitte Barbot).  

But it was BB who transformed this village into a worldwide reputation for illicit pleasures and the place has never looked back.

The great, the rich and the A-listers still come in by the Yachtful, as do any amount of flotsam and jetsam, whose obsession with air-headed extravagance can get on anyones nerves ( especial y mine, if you must know) 

Yes, the  wooded, rocky peninsula is spectacular, the views across the sea to the Maures mountain s are outstanding, but beyond that, unless you fancy paying ( in summer July and August) 15 euros for a  coke,  and being   with some other 30,000 people a day ( just getting in is like driving on the 405 freeway during rush hour) and pay constantly queuing and paying for over prices food and drink I say, forget it, unless you have a private yacht and can call Pop stars by their first name.

For those you don’t know, the famous beach is NOT in town, but 15 minutes away and then its basically private clubs that charge a fortune for you to sit in the sand.

It’s all about BLINGE on steroids.

I can’t tell you how many clients who begged to go and then once there called and said 'get me out'.

OK, should you still go, the months of May, June, September and October would be fine, but be aware many of the bling places are closed and once again, this charming village returns to a little Med port 

The British tourist is always happy abroad as long as the natives are waiters. – Robert Morely

 Some reasons why American’s think French waiters are rude and why they are wrong

Q: My waiter wouldn’t help me understand the menu

A: Today in larger cities in France, more and more menus are offered in English. Why a waiter might not help you is not a matter of rudeness. It may be because he simply doesn’t know the technical words in English to describe a dish. Or as in the countryside, they may not even speak English.

Q: my waiter never cracked a smile the entire time was there.

A: Waiters in France are viewed as professionals. Unlike here in the USA where it’s a temp job until their real job comes along. One reason you might not get a smile is your waiter here is paid a fixed wage and they don’t reply on tips to live. They are NOT personal servants, but more as food servers with panache.

American’s are used to making demands and asking for substitutes on the menu to have their food prepared in a way to meet their standards. WELL, not in France, so when trying to order off the menu, forget it and take it for what it is and embrace it.

Q: My waiter never came back after bringing us our food.

A: It may seem like your waiter is ignoring you after he puts down your plates, but he is actually showing you respect by giving you your space. Once the food has been delivered to the table, the meal becomes about eating and enjoying your company. Waiters want you to enjoy your meal, relax with friends and family and linger over good wine and food. They unlike American waiters leave you alone and they will not fawn over you (thank goodness)

Q: My waiter never brought me the check

A: Just as your waiters leave you alone during your meal, they don’t want to rush you by putting the check on the table. (something that American waiters and restaurants do). French waiters expect that you’ll ask for the check when you’re ready to leave. In France, it isn’t the waiters goal to turn over as many tables as he can, like in America.

Capucins market– The ‘belly’ of Bordeaux.

Shopping in the Capucin market  is a weekend ritual in Bordeaux 

 Around since the 18^th century, this Baltard-style market, with atrium windows and cast-iron pillars (and glass roof) houses 80 retailers and a number of refreshment stalls and restaurants, is a place that has never lost it’s friendly, human warmth, cheerful racket and mouth watering bouquet of flavors, featuring cheese, seafood fruit and vegetables.

Head for the market ( as with any farmers market in France) in the early morning to beat the crowds. 

Treat yourself to a ‘dune blanche; a rich puff pastry filled with mousseline cream and have a coffee at Poulettes. Surrounding the market are cafes and fine food shops.

Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday form 6am to 1pm, Saturday and Sunday from 5:30am to 2:30pm.

A traditional USA diet vs a Howard E Lewis French Diet - do I need to ask?

The traditional healthy Mediterranean Diet.

Monthly – Red meat

Weekly – Sweets, eggs, poultry and fish

Daily – Cheese and yogurt, olive oil, fruits, beans, legume and nuts, Veggies

Bread, pasta, rice and couscous

Daily beverage recommendations - 6 Glasses of water a day and daily physical activity

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The Howard E Lewis Lifestyle diet

Monthly – Fruits and Veggies

Weekly – Beans or legumes topped with Gruyere

Daily – Any type of French cheese, preferable Saint-Nectaire or Cantal , Caviar and shrimp on a toasted Brioche, any kind of red Meat( beef or better yet pork)  , Foie Gras in any form , salami ( preferably Black Pig) Duck, Duck and more duck, and cooking with duck or goose fat

Long daily naps (between meals)

Daily recommendations - 1 bottle of Red wine – preferably Madiran or St Joseph French wine or 3 Martini’s

Bordeaux - a new way to discover the city

The city of Bordeaux is certainly now the hot destination within France and yet, it is still often overlooked by visitors intent on the Paris-Provence circuit. 
Nestled in verdant wine country and on the edge of leading oyster-producing area, this elegant city on the Garonne River melds history and arts and infrastructure to make it a very captivating destination. One of the best ways to see and experience the city is by boat. 
A 90 minute cruise on the 74 passenger steel-hull Sardane provides an expansive view of this city.

But the best way is to take their Aperitif and Wine tasting cruise; 3 different selected wines going with fresh regional products - tapas, breads, cheese and coked meats.  

Can Life get any better?

When two ambassadors of the black brotherhood of bigorre come together! It's talking good products, madiran, treats, fat and sausages! 

Chef Guillaume GOMEZ ( the chef of the Elysee Palace/Residence) and friend

Two of most favorite food items to me

The hardy, intense , chewy wine of the southwest - 

Madiran and Bigorre Porc

As George and Ira Gershwin once wrote

"Who could ask for anything more'

La Chassagnette - A wonderful garden that happens to have a wonderful restaurant, outside of Arles

Many restaurants within France have a garden, but here just outside the historic city of Arles ( some 15 miles away) is a wondrous organic vegetable garden that happens to have a Michelin star restaurant.  

The vegetable garden is a hymn to organic products, the vegetables are astounding and never to be forgotten. I mean; where you you found in one garden, over 30 different kinds of tomatoes for one. This is the place to have lunch within a beautiful garden. Dishes such as sea-bream, crayfish, pigeon, grill meats all are served with the vegetables just picked that morning. 
(Closed Tuesday and Wednesday) 

In the Marais area of Paris - Waffles out of this world..I mean it

Yummy and Guilt Free is what we call in French a Bar a Gaffers ( a waffle bar) and its located in the beautiful Marais area in Paris.
I must tel you, I hate waffles, but that was until I ate here. They are gluten free and lactose free also(  no big deal for me) and are sweet but also savory.

Besides tasting wonderful, the bonus here is that they contain twice less calories than traditional waffles. 

I know it ain't France, but oh!!! The German Black Forest...

As you may know, I love the city of Strasbourg, France. Its mixture of France/German cultures is just wonderful and exciting.

Just across the border from the city is the most picturesque part of Germany, the Black Forest region, that has some of the most beautiful and dramatic landscapes in Europe.

Here in the small towns and villages along the Romantic Road , you’ll find the fairy-Tale nature of this region.

The highlight here is Baden-Baden ‘ the belle Epoque meets the age of Instagram. This picturesque spa town has drawn visitors/Kings and Queens/European royalty for hundreds of years.

The only place to stay ( as far as I’m concerned) is the 150 year old grand hotel ( and I mean GRAND!) Brenners Park. The city and the hotel is on my top list of the top places I have ever visited and stayed. It’s a WOW!!!

Chantilly - I've said it before and I'll say it again, You haven't seen France if you have not visited Chantilly

Forget Versailles, the real jewel in France is the Castle/chateaux at Chantilly ( just 30 minutes north of Paris)
Besides a 'knock-your-socks off' chateaux, it houses the greatest collection of art in France outside of the Louvre.
So what are you waiting for?