Our first time visit in France

Visiting a place for the first time always gives me wonderfully shocking first impressions. Whether lasting or not, my first impression of France is that it is such a flat country. I could see as far as I can in the horizon and what marvelous views I had when we travelled from Paris to this small city on the western side of France which would become my beloved home. A city of art and environment, the city of Niort.

Bonjour PARIS! Hello PARIS!

Of course we have to say hello to Paris. I couldn’t just miss that. The fashion capital of the world and most famous for its gastronomic entity, from haute cuisine and dining to simple baguettes (the most famous daily bread) and croissants (a buttery and flaky viennoiserie-pastry). Whether you opt to try French food in the restaurants or just buying sandwich to eat by the bench in the park, Paris is a city where you can relax and enjoy the patrimony and food at the same time.

Between fields and urban hubs

Unlike our archipelagic Philippines, France is a solid hexagonal shaped country so obviously there is a big difference in the landscape.

The paysage – more agricultural lands surrounding big cities. France has always been an agricultural country so it’s no surprise to see hectares of agricultural fields surrounding the city centers or “ville” as they call it. Each big city has its centre-ville or the city center where you can stroll along alleys and find specialized boutiques and shops. Most shops are in the lowest level of an old building apartment so people are living above them. Pretty much a mini-copy of Paris. It is in the centre-ville where you can find the wet market as we call it and here it’s called “Le Halle”, our local palengke or merkado. So my excitement was really focused on this because you know this is where I would find all the surprises for my hungry palate. The local produce… from cheeses, wines, meats, vegetables, fruits, seafoods and charcuterie (a delicatessen where you find sausages, hams, spreads and all-you-can-think-of processed meats.  And many more…

In the market

Yes I have to make a special place for markets, le halle, because I just love markets not just the sight but also the sounds, the conviviality. It is a place where you see the real social interaction of people. The goal is to get the best and the cheapest deal you can get. Local and organic products are way more expensive than what you find in the supermarkets but worth the effort.

Some of the fruits and vegetables on display. Depending on the season, the stalls change colors and shapes as fruits and vegetables are seasonal kinds. Apples, pears and oranges are at their best in autumn while red berries, peaches and melons are summer stars. The beauty lies in the variety so to say. The same goes with vegetables. Juiciest and sweetest tomatoes can only be had during summer. They are just so incomparable to the out-of-season, tasteless and bland tomatoes available in supermarkets.

It was a big surprise for me to see internal organs (les abats) sold in the market. You can buy animal brains, tripes and kidneys as well as tongue, throat and cheeks. The meats have different cuts though because they have a different culinary style and by looking at the meat display you can already tell the difference. So much different from the Filipino style of course. You can also find many more variety of animal meats from ducks, rabbits, birds, turkey, quail, frogs, snails, rays, eels and other special animals. I was even a bit scared to see a display of skinned whole rabbit with a head still on. But no matter how exotic and wild sounding the animal is, the French always cook them with passion and sophistication.

Seafood display

France, being surrounded by oceans and seas (Atlantic Ocean, English Channel, North Sea and the Mediterranean) has lots of seafoods “fruits de mer” to offer. Compared to Philippines, it has less variety but is nonetheless abundant. Seeing the displays in the market, they look very appetizing, the cuts very different and MY GOODNESS-ly expensive. Even mackerels and sardines which are considered cheap fish in the Philippines are just a bit costly. Oysters are considered royal and very popular during Christmas season and new year. They taste better during cold months than during summer where the gonads are mature so they become milky or creamy and less appetizing.  Mussels are popularly cook as “moules marinière” where it is usually cooked with butter, parsley, and white wine and some regions would add cream to it. They are usually paired with french fries in the restos in affordable price. I so adore it that I can really eat more than a kilo in just one sitting, with white wine of course!

Cheese, cheese and more cheese

Cheese is not familiar in the Filipino palate I would say but I don’t know why, for some rare mutation perhaps in my region of taste, I just happen to love and can eat almost all kinds of cheese in France. Even the most pungent and stinky kind (like camembert, blue cheese, old cantal, goat cheese) cannot escape. I just love cheese that I am one of a kind Pinay who just eat cheese like a Frenchman or even more voracious than others. (Note: I know lots of French who doesn’t eat cheese!). I can feast my eyes on these gems when I go to the market, all in different sizes and forms. But there’s a catch, cheese can make you fat!!! So be careful!!!

The elegant wines

I’m not a wine connoisseur “expert” of course but I also happen to adore them, especially the reds… Evidently, there is a best pairing of wines, you will see it in the labels. Rosé (doesn’t exactly translate as pink wine) but so refreshing that’s very good to drink during hot season, and ohh, barbeque to be exact. For apperitif outside the terrace, pools or gardens. Reds are usually for red meats and white are usually for seafood or white meats.  

I can write endlessly but there’s just so much more that I will have to dissect and make special articles for them.

Until the next story-telling…