Chanel No. 5, Camembert, Daft Punk, foie gras and gaudy LV handbags… to say that France has had a profound impact on the way we live and what we consume would be an understatement. Boasting more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other country, France is also the enduring pioneer in gastronomy, its chefs continuously pushing and redefining the boundaries of food and in turn the world’s palate. Yes, the portions are miniscule and, yes, eating to an unbutton-your-pants point will make you wish you had applied for that extra credit card, but one thing’s for certain—eating in France is always experiential and is often a joy (especially if you're non-vegetarian). For many, a trip to France is visiting Paris, basking in the French Riviera or… attending INSEAD. But for others, France is ooj (Francophone for “huge”) and its other regions are well worth exploring, too.
.jpg)
Lyon may be a modern commercial and banking center today, but cinematography was born here over 100 years ago. The Lumière brothers, Louis and Auguste, shot the first moving picture here in the late 1800s
Lovers of mustard can’t possibly ignore Dijon. Purchase a few varieties from Maille (quite possibly the institution in the city), some bread, and observe the medieval architecture while strolling the streets
You can’t go to France and not visit a vineyard. Luckily you can sample some of the best vintages from Burgundy after just a short bus ride from Dijon
The Loire Valley is château country and has its own version of Africa’s Big Five. Blois, Chambord, Cheverny, Chaumont and Chenonceau are the châteaux to see
Tours is a great base from which to visit the chateaux. The city’s square, La Place Plumereau, is unlike other French towns in that it’s surrounded by preserved half-timbered buildings
Hersh Kumbhani is co-founder of Trabblr, a new website that helps its users meet like-minded people when traveling abroad or exploring their hometown through social events and group activities.
