Where French Factory Workers Go After Their Duties

Popularly, people directly go home after finishing their duties because they are tired to go somewhere else. But in France, you'll find French factory workers in places that they call harbors--- bistros. Undersized and unpretentious, bistros offer cheap prices for homestyle foods, which ordinary French workers truly love. Usually located in Paris, these places have natural settings that are contrary to what you expect about Parisian restaurants. Aside from the exceptional setting, bistros offer appetizing foods such the French local coq au vin, the favorite steak au poivre, and the famous French onion soup.

As bistros became renowned among the French, so did a particular cooking style. Inspired from the set-up of bistros, bistro eating makes use of local yet fresh ingredients in cooking nutritious but still appetizing dishes. I must say that this method is appropriate for the French, who are the epitomes of bodies sans the slow metabolism. It is also no wonder that this unique cooking method has become renowned among celebrity chefs like Gordon Ramsey and Jamie Oliver.

Unlike in those high-rate restaurants where French cuisines usually contain "experimental embellishments," foods in bistros are original and really satisfying. Thus, I always find bistros more engrossing than lavish French restaurants because for me, only bistros offer the best local French cuisines.

Observing a Common French Wedding

I have always been to France and got so accustomed with the French tradition that I virtually thought I could live there alone. But the moment a wedding invitation landed on my tabletop, I assumed there was one thing lacking in my French tradition immersion—witnessing and taking part in an authentic French wedding. The good thing was that the invitation was from a French companion who was to marry a childhood love.

My companion's wedding was a traditional French procedure, not so much like the Western practices. The groom, who was my companion, met the bride at her lodge and walked with her to the church. For the procedure duration, the couple sat beside each other under a soft silk canopy, which is a symbolic protection from dreadful omen. In the reception, the groom and the bride made use of the “Coupe de Marriage” or a cup applied for toasting, which they would pass on to the next generations. In some countries I know, the wedding cake is as important as the bridal gown, so much so that each couple would spend a vast amount. But in France, it is more conventional to serve croquembouche, a pyramid-shaped velvety pastry, in place of soaring cakes.

Amidst the unconventional view of the entire world about weddings, I was elated that one of my companions chose to legitimize his partnership with his beloved, so, to the newlyweds, congrats and best wishes!

The History of the Toothsome and Luscious Mayonnaise

I just treasure mayonnaise and I have this habit of adding it in almost all sorts of chow that I eat. Thank God, I came from a slender bloodline, hence, my shot to mayonnaise do not quite affect my weight. Until now, I can't leave the grocery store without purchasing jars of this toothsome thick sauce. When I went to France, after I graduated from college, I discovered a lot about this beloved sauce of mine. Some people that I met in France told me appealing scoops about mayonnaise and I am more than willing to share them to you.

In the 1700's, mayonnaise was made by a French chef who worked for the highly-regarded Duke de Richelieu. When the Duke was winning the combat against the British, the chef was already cooking a grand victory party where a sauce out of eggs and cream was to be served. However, the chef realized that there was no available cream so he used olive oil to invent the cream. This case was the official birth of the thick sauce called "Mahonnaise" and later, the toothsome dip that I love was named mayonnaise.

I was so engrossed when I learned about this scoop because I never thought that the ordinary sauce that I always see in the kitchen was a product of a historical event.

The Astounding Legend Of French Couturier Yves Saint Laurent Lives On Through His Incomparable Creations

The charming country of France, along with its great fabric industry, has been long considered as the fashion capital of the world, ever since the 16th century. In the 40's, 50's, and 60's, the French fashion was propelled into the spotlight through the remarkable works of Christian Dior, Givenchy, Balmain, Guy Laroche, Pierre Cardin, Andre Courreges, and Yves Saint Laurent. Each of them had contributed notable works of art that has shaped the ever-changing fashion looks not just in France, but also worldwide.

One of the most gifted designers was Yves Saint Laurent because of his unmatched creations that have become legends in the world of fashion couture. A number of his renowned creations include dresses largely influenced by Mondrian paintings and comic strips, and the "Left Bank Look." The "Left Bank Look" commenced a fashion era, were the hippest outfit consists of narrow tops and skirts, and bold checkered patterns matched with chic beret hats. Laurent got the remarkable idea for this look from Paris students during the 1960's, achieving a worldwide trend that lasted for several years. Today, Yves Saint Laurent is not an active fashion designer anymore, but walking through the chic streets of Paris during yearly voyages to France reminds me of how Laurent took the fashion world by storm.

A Diverse but Equally Exciting Side of France

France has often been seen as a rather sophisticated state mainly because of the high-profile image of its capital city, Paris. Admittedly, Paris is one romantic French town, but there are other towns within France that present a different romantic touch but can be equally touching.

Take the town of Nice for instance, which is located in the southern portion of France. It is a chief French tourist destination largely because it has a blend of the old and the new in France, aside from having many historic landmarks that perfectly capture its early evolution. Vacationers who prefer to spend a simple uncomplicated out-of-town holiday vacation will find Nice genuinely interesting, especially when checking in at Hotel Medicis, set along the so-called musician's corner of the city.

Hotel Medicis is a standard small-town French hotel hailing back to 1926. It only has at least 36 guest rooms that are nevertheless fitted with modern accommodations like satellite TV, air-conditioning system, and a safety deposit box, among others.

Old-fashioned trippers will surely delight in the simple warm colors that encircle the rooms, especially those which feature a balcony as an added attraction. Modern-day tourists, meanwhile, will absolutely find the sofa bed truly engaging as this is available in the superior room models of the hotel.

Hotel Medicis does not have an in-house restaurant, but travelers need not really worry because just outside the hotel, there are many of these, led by the Bacchus Restaurant, perched right next door. In terms of local sights, there is the nearby beach, besides the Promenade des Anglais, the Flower Market, and the Place Massena, which are all within walking distance.