Gourmet
Gourmet tours
in France
To know French cuisine is to know France. As Julia Child wrote in her book My Life in France:
“I suddenly discovered that cooking was a rich and layered and endlessly fascinating subject. The best way to describe it is to say that I fell in love with French food–
the tastes, the processes, the history, the endless variations, the rigorous discipline, the creativity, the wonderful people, the equipment, the rituals.”
Tailor my trip
Having worked together with AAV for numerous, happy clients, I am glad to say that they are a pleasure to work with. They have the best connections and people collaborating with them. Everything is always VERY well planned and executed. Clients are often commenting to me how well their vacations have been going. Great people!
Edward K. Chef
Foodie experiences in France
Whether you plan to take your vacation in Paris or another area of France, Académie des Arts de Vivre (AAV) will find ways for you to experience true French culinary traditions. Here are a few of the treats waiting for you:
01
Pure chocolate walk
A two hour walking tour for tasting the best chocolate in the world. AAV will introduce you to five of Paris’s best chocolatiers, each with his own signature style. While learning the history of the cocoa bean and how chocolate arrived in France, you will sample a wide range of creations, from savory chocolate to unusual ingredient combinations which magically create taste explosions.
02
Culinary Lyon
The 3rd largest city in France with over 2,000 years of history has a long culinary tradition. Discover Lyon through its colorful food markets: les halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, the marché Saint-Antoine, or the marché de la Croix Rousse. Afterwards, you will lunch at an authentic bouchon Lyonnais, a restaurant serving traditional regional fare. A wonderful experience for food lovers!
03
Normandy cheese
Normandy’s cheeses are world famous: Camembert, Pont l’Evêque, Livarot, Neufchâtel, Brillat-Savarin. The rich pastures in this region are the secret ingredient, providing locally produced milk for use in these locally produced cheeses. Your AAV expert guide will take you to visit local producers to see firsthand how the cheeses are produced and to sample them.
04
Seafood adventure in Brittany
Every morning, when the fishermen come back to port, there is a criée, a live auction of the day’s catch. Experience the criée with a top restaurant chef who will then welcome you into his kitchen to teach you how to prepare the fish or seafood that you just bought, and share it with you for lunch.
05
Christmas traditions
The réveillon, Christmas Eve dinner, often extends until the wee hours of the morning and is a moment of extravagance: scallops in their shells, raw oysters, caviar, foie gras, with champagne and fine wines. Take a tour of Paris during the holiday season and see how the French prepare. Your AAV guide will show you where true Parisians shop for their réveillon.
Discover culinary France
On the footsteps of Julia Child
Julia Child, the woman who introduced French cuisine to the U.S. arrived in Paris in 1948, enrolled in cooking classes at the Cordon Bleu in 1949, and received her diploma only in 1951 after several failed attempts. Visit Julia’s favorite places and see Paris’ culinary scene through her eyes.
Table etiquette
In France, everything important happens at the table, which is why it is vital to know the customs. Thanks to AAV, you will meet a Parisian aristocrat who will teach you French etiquette as well as the history of French cuisine. You will then practice at a private candlelit dinner in a historic family chateau.
Hands-on Gastronomy
Shop at a well-known local market with your private chef who will show you how to choose the freshest seasonal fruits and vegetables, meats and fish. You will cook together, the chef sharing personal recipes and those little tricks that make a big difference. Class will end with lunch, the results of your morning efforts. A rare culinary treat.
Your Michelin Star route
France has more restaurants with three Michelin stars than any other European country, so a trip here would not be complete without at least one meal at one of these establishments. AAV can even create a tour just for you, based on the types of cuisine you prefer, the regions you will visit and Michelin’s recommendations.
Culinary experiences
and itineraries
Gastronomy experience in Paris, Burgundy and Lyon – 9 Days
- Accommodation for 8 nights in luxury hotels in Paris, Beaune and Lyon
- 1st Class train tickets
- Private driver in luxury vehicle
- Three full-day and three half-day private gastronomy experiences
- Private cooking classes with a renown local chef
- Local chefs and farmers open their doors to share their passions and secrets
- Food market visits with a food expert
- Reservations at the most fabulous restaurants (according to tastes and interests)
- Our AAV Concierge will be available to help you organize your free time with private tours, restaurant reservations, spa treatments, and whatever else you wish to ensure you have a memorable time
Gastronomy experience in Paris and Normandy – 4 Days
- Accommodation for 3 nights in luxury hotels in Paris and Honfleur
- Private driver in luxury vehicle
- Two full-day and one half-day private guided gastronomy experiences
- Private cooking class with renown local chef
- Food market visits with a food expert
- Reservations at the most fabulous restaurants (according to tastes and interests)
- Local chefs and farmers open their doors to share their passions and secrets
- Our AAV Concierge will be available to help you organize your free time with private tours, restaurant reservations, spa treatments, and whatever else you wish to ensure you have a memorable time
Discover the wealth of
French cuisine with AAV
Although you’ll find a steak-frites or a soupe à l’oignon pretty much anywhere in France, French cuisine is very different from one region to another.
Crêpes originated in Brittany. Gratin daupinois was created in the Savoy region, where winters are cold and heavier dishes are comforting. Choucroute, French sauerkraut, is from Alsace, which changed hands several times, from France to Germany and back again. The French Riviera has its petits farcis, little stuffed zucchini, eggplant, tomato and onion boats. And boeuf bourguignon is from the Burgundy region, where good red wines are plentiful, so necessary for making the delicious sauce.
In the south, the olive is king. Tapenade, an olive purée, is served on bread with cocktails. Vegetables are sautéed in olive oil (think ratatouille) and seasoned with herbs such as thyme, oregano and savory, indigenous plants to the Provençal garrigue.
In the north, recipes are based on butter. And cream, which adds a richness and unctuousness not found further south.
No matter where you go in France, you will find local specialties with a rich heritage. What better way to get to know this beautiful country?
Plan
your trip
If you wish to schedule a time to speak about the trip you have in mind, please click on the “Tailor my trip” button and fill in our form. We will get back to you very shortly after reception of your request.
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