Paris!

Paris is a place I would like to visit because of all the sites to see, the new food to try, and the shopping. I think traveling to Paris would be a great experience because in pictures and movies it looks beautiful. Before I visit Paris I think I would want to learn a bit of French just so I could talk to the people and understand what they say. Maybe I could meet some new friends that would teach me French along the way too! That would be cool. Some of the sites I would like to see are The Louvre, The Notre Dame Cathedral, The Eiffel Tower, Pere Lachaise Cemetery, and the boat tour of the Seine River. My favorite French cuisine that has originated to Canada is the poutine and the croissant. I am hoping to visit Paris in the next couple of years. Outside Article

Culture of French Food

French cuisine is extremely diverse, with only the Chinese having similar variety in their food. This variety is supported by the French passion for good food in all its forms, France's extraordinary range of different geographies and climates which support the local production of all types of ingredients, and France's long and varied history. In many ways, an understanding of the culture of French food is an understanding of France itself.

Meals range from the very basic, such as the traditional baguette plus cheese plus inexpensive wine, to very elaborate affairs than can involve a dozen courses and different wines consumed over several hours. Obviously, the latter type of dining is exceptional for most people. However, it is this more sophisticated dining which is typically found in "French restaurants" outside France, giving many foreigners the mistaken impression that French food is heavy and complicated. In fact, much of the French cuisine is fairly simple, relying on high quality fresh ingredients and loving preparation rather than complex recipes.

It is common in much of France to take a two hour break for lunch, with many working parents (particularly in villages and smaller towns) returning home for lunch. In some areas, mainly in the south of France, even longer lunch breaks are taken. Due to the long lunch break, businesses which close for this period typically reopen around 2PM or so and then stay open until about 7PM.

By: Doug