Treat yourself to France
Being the dedicated foodie that I am, any companions on my travels have to accept that there will often be a gastronomic focus to my holidays. This year, I embarked on a cheese tour of France with my willing accomplice, Caroline.
It is easy to go to any French supermarket and come out with basketfuls of treats from all around the country, but we wanted to have a more select approach. Our plan was to buy and try them sur place as we travelled and to meet a few of the producers, where possible. If the producers also wanted to recommend accompanying regional tipples, so much the better!
We first stopped to sample some bubbles in the Phare de Verzenay – a delightful wine museum and tasting garden crafted from a lighthouse - and then to nearby Verzy to encounter a truly natural wonder. The forest in Verzy is everything you would expect it to be, with tracks and picnic benches welcoming visitors to walk and relax in the dappled sunlight.
What makes it unusual is the natural phenomenon of the Faux de Verzy. Around 1,000 contorted dwarf birch trees transform this into an area of enchantment and legends. They have
