Salut M Para - Imagine our surprise to see an old friend when we went to visit Vinaigrerie La Para in Nyons in the Drôme - in a former life, Raphaël Para was working in London for Rhône-Alpes but has returned home to pursue his passion for producing top quality regional products - to be accurate, top quality vinegar & oils, all using local ingredients in their distillation process. La Para, … [Read more...]
Magellan Bites: Ardèche – The French Belvedere
The French Belvedere - I have heard the term Belvedere used in the UK before but in France, it refers to a viewing platform or so we discovered on a recent trip to the Ardèche, Southern France. If you have driven around the Ardèche with its spectacular scenery, these Belvederes are a great way to stop and gaze at the beauty of nature. Col du Serre de Tourre Alt 323m Vallon … [Read more...]
Magellan Bites: Nîmes – Make it snappy!
Make it snappy - When wandering around the beautiful Roman city of Nîmes in the Gard, Southern France, you might see a few crocodiles - specifically a motif of a crocodile chained to a palm tree. This emblem has become the city's coat of arms and dates back to Roman times, commemorating the defeat of Mark Anthony on the Nile by the Emperor Augustus. It can also be seen in tiny embedded street … [Read more...]
Magellan Bites: Haribo – For the dedicated sweet-taster!
For the dedicated sweet-toothed - In the Gard in Southern France, near the medieval town of Uzès, lies the Musée de BonBon dedicated to everyone's favourite nibble - Haribo. Where did the name come from? Well, it's from the founder - one Hans Reigel and takes the HA from his Christian name and the RI from his surname, finishing with the BO from his hometown of Bonn in Germany. Offering an insight … [Read more...]
Magellan Bites: Hotel “Pet” with a difference
Hotel "pet" with a difference - Many hotels claim to have a cat or a dog as their official hotel mascot but only Abadia Retuerta LeDomaine can offer its very own family of storks! With a supported, huge nest, resting carefully on the bell tower of this historic wine estate and hotel in the Castile y Leon region of Spain, the hotel's personnel take care to look after a family of storks who return … [Read more...]
