Summer is finally here in Paris (better late than never!). The sun was shining today so my friend Leshae and I decided to hop on a train to Giverny. What a glorious day to explore Monet’s Gardens...and were they ever beautiful! Seeing his home and inspiration for the famous Waterlillies was an incredible experience. However, Normandy is much more than landscape and art. It’s a place for food as well!
When we hopped off the train, our fearless guide, Anya, pointed us in the right direction for wine, baguettes, pastries, cheese, fruit, cider and Calvados, aka “fire water” (as quoted by Anya). It was time to get serious. It was time for a picnic.
Normandy is known for its lush, vast orchards, and as apple season is upon us, it would be rude not to imbibe in the local apple cider and Calvados. I hadn’t heard of Calvados before, so I was intrigued, especially since one could seemingly pick up a bottle at any of the shops along the way (whether it be the fromagerie, boucherie, alimentation or Monoprix). The apple brandy is particular to the Lower Normandy region and is considered to be the world’s BEST apple spirit. Since it can be enjoyed as an aperitif or liqueur, or with a coffee, cheese or cigar, why not pick up a bottle to bring along for our picnic?
We then barrelled down the street to Boulangerie Rose for a tradition (traditional French baguette), some quiche and a macaroon. To pair with our bread, we popped into La Fromagerie. Since there are over 400 types of French cheese, we turned to the pros to help us pick out the perfect one for our picnic. They suggested something not too hard which could easily spread it onto our baguette. The Tome Cidre and Pont l’Eveque Calvados, a local camembert, were the winners. We waved au revoir and merci as we continued on to our final stop to pick up some nuts, figs, saucisson, chocolate and local apple cider.
We were ready alas!
We found a spot along the Siene; the cheese was sliced and the Calvados was poured! The first sip of the brandy was like velvet on your tongue. Fierce flavours of apples intoxicated my palate all the way down into my stomach. Subdue hints of cinnamon and spice accompanied this beautiful, fiery deliciousness. With a slice of Pont l’Eveque smeared on a piece of baguette, bliss was found under those willow trees in the park. The verdict was clear, Calvados pairs perfectly with the cheeses of Normandy, juicy cherry tomatoes followed by a hint of Lindt Intense Dark Chocolate.
And with this I leave you, with a quote from Charles Quittanson: “Calvados is a virile drink, which is not to be kissed with a fleeting peck but embraced whole-heartedly, which perfumes the palate and the breath, which is all-engrossing, which fosters excellent cuisine, which makes the whole world sing and drink a toast to the health of France.”
Do yourself a favour, find some Calvados and take pleasure in it! Bottoms up my friends!
When we hopped off the train, our fearless guide, Anya, pointed us in the right direction for wine, baguettes, pastries, cheese, fruit, cider and Calvados, aka “fire water” (as quoted by Anya). It was time to get serious. It was time for a picnic.
Normandy is known for its lush, vast orchards, and as apple season is upon us, it would be rude not to imbibe in the local apple cider and Calvados. I hadn’t heard of Calvados before, so I was intrigued, especially since one could seemingly pick up a bottle at any of the shops along the way (whether it be the fromagerie, boucherie, alimentation or Monoprix). The apple brandy is particular to the Lower Normandy region and is considered to be the world’s BEST apple spirit. Since it can be enjoyed as an aperitif or liqueur, or with a coffee, cheese or cigar, why not pick up a bottle to bring along for our picnic?
We then barrelled down the street to Boulangerie Rose for a tradition (traditional French baguette), some quiche and a macaroon. To pair with our bread, we popped into La Fromagerie. Since there are over 400 types of French cheese, we turned to the pros to help us pick out the perfect one for our picnic. They suggested something not too hard which could easily spread it onto our baguette. The Tome Cidre and Pont l’Eveque Calvados, a local camembert, were the winners. We waved au revoir and merci as we continued on to our final stop to pick up some nuts, figs, saucisson, chocolate and local apple cider.
We were ready alas!
We found a spot along the Siene; the cheese was sliced and the Calvados was poured! The first sip of the brandy was like velvet on your tongue. Fierce flavours of apples intoxicated my palate all the way down into my stomach. Subdue hints of cinnamon and spice accompanied this beautiful, fiery deliciousness. With a slice of Pont l’Eveque smeared on a piece of baguette, bliss was found under those willow trees in the park. The verdict was clear, Calvados pairs perfectly with the cheeses of Normandy, juicy cherry tomatoes followed by a hint of Lindt Intense Dark Chocolate.
And with this I leave you, with a quote from Charles Quittanson: “Calvados is a virile drink, which is not to be kissed with a fleeting peck but embraced whole-heartedly, which perfumes the palate and the breath, which is all-engrossing, which fosters excellent cuisine, which makes the whole world sing and drink a toast to the health of France.”
Do yourself a favour, find some Calvados and take pleasure in it! Bottoms up my friends!