Reading Room Blog
Recipes - France

Featured Post
Breton Crêpes
John Giebler (our Director of Tours, and occasional tour leader in France and Italy) shares his favorite crêpe recipe in honor of the new ExperiencePlus! tour in Brittany and Normandy…. Read More »

Recipes
Tarte Tatin
Two sisters, Carolina (1847-1911) and Stéphine Tatin (1838-1917), from Lamotte-Beuvron, a small village in the Loire Valley of France, are considered the creators of this wonderful tart. The sisters owned and... Read More »

Recipes
Roasted Asparagus with Hollandaise
April marks the beginning of asparagus season in Germany and in France and is cause for celebration because it also means that spring has finally arrived. In Germany asparagus fever... Read More »

Recipes
Peach Raspberry ‘Tart’
As we release new dates and tours for the 2014 season, particularly with our Paris to Lyon Plus! Marseille tour, and welcome in the final bounty of summertime fruits, we... Read More »

Recipes
Chard Quiche – From the Field to Your Plate
Many of you may remember Josette Smyrl who coordinated our hotels and meals in France for years. Josette has retired and lives in Provence with her husband and gardener extraordinaire... Read More »

Recipes
Zucchini Salad with Mint and Provençal Rosemary Almonds
With summer often comes an abundance of zucchini from the garden – and the ongoing challenge to find new ways to prepare them. Co-workers begin to avoid you and your... Read More »

Recipes
Provençal Melon with Beaumes de Venise Muscat
The ExperiencePlus! Bicycling through the Best of Provence Plus! the Luberon and Aix-en-Provence tour now goes through Beaumes de Venise. A lot of France’s melons grow nearby around Cavaillon, and... Read More »

Recipes
Crème Brûlée
When you travel to France, chances are you’ve got some culinary must-tastes on your list. While crepes and the delicately-crafted pastries in the corner patisseries are delightful, one dessert you... Read More »

News, Recipes
Dordogne Hazelnut Cake
I, like most of you, find myself excited by local specialties while I’m traveling and I often come home with flavored oils, spices or syrups that then sit in my... Read More »

Recipes
Daube Provençale or Beef Stew with Wine
Daube Provençale or Beef Stew with Wine This month’s recipe comes to us from Josette Smyrl who coordinated hotels and meals for ExperiencePlus! for years. Now retired and living near... Read More »

Recipes
Josette’s Cherry Clafoutis
Josette’s Cherry Clafoutis Preheat oven to 400F Ingredients: 1/2 pounds pitted Cherries 3/4 cup flour 2/3 cup sugar 3 eggs 1 cup milk or light cream 1/3 cup melted butter... Read More »

Travel Planning: Food and Meals, Destinations: France, Recipes
Interview with Chef Erick Vedel
A local Provençal chef tells us about his passion for food and how it has pervaded other areas of his life. Each year he opens his home to us on... Read More »

Recipes
Camargue Red Rice with Ginger and Chickpeas
This recipe comes to us from Chef Erick Vedel and was served on the ExperiencePlus! Bicycling through the Best of Provence tour October 2010. Clinical studies have proven that red... Read More »

Recipes
Potato Soup with a Mediterranean Twist
The common potato is a simple winter vegetable that makes an innovative, warm and creamy soup if paired with a tangy Mediterranean fruit like the olive. The best type of... Read More »

Recipes
Creamy French Pumpkin Soup
Creamy French Pumpkin Soup (A note from Rick Price of ExperiencePlus!) This recipe comes to us from Josette Smyrl, coordinator of our France hotels and restaurants from 1995 through October... Read More »

Recipes
French Béchamel Sauce
Ingredients: 3 tbsp butter or margarine 1/3 cup flour 2 cups milk 1/2 cup grated cheese or more salt and pepper to taste la technique Melt the butter or margarine... Read More »