Over the weekend I was invited by Chef Marthe and friends to visit
The annual event in Bercy Village, 12eme
"Tasting is obligatory" is the rule of the day with the Aveyronnais. FYI many of Paris' cafes owners are from the Aveyron department including the hugely successful les Freres Costes.
The brioche-based cakes are wonderfully light and filled with prune preserves from Agen.
These hearty brioche cakes are called 'fouace' or fougace.
Another specialty,'Gateau a la Broche' is endlessly turned on a spit, each turn adding more batter
So the end result is a christmas tree-shape of multiple layers of crust. Delicious!
The hams are deeply flavorful.
Lunch on offer is a hot bowl of Aligot (made from mashed potatoes, Tomme cheese, garlic) plus local sausages.
Aligot being stirred and dished out. Not an easy job since Its tremendously sticky and stringy. Not easy to eat either but intensely garlicky.
I was admiring the walnut oil.
But Chef Marthe cautioned buy only a tiny bottle. It can go off fast. We bought fresh walnuts instead.
From south Aveyron, comes the 'king of cheeses' Roquefort made from non-pasteurized/lait cru sheep milk
From these sheep come wonderfully toasty socks. I will have to visit Aveyron and get them. Je regret beaucoup.
Marthe told me of the fabulous, tender beef from Aubrac bulls, a must-buy from Maison Conquet. Its so tender you don't need a knife to cut it.
This enormous Saint Bernard showed up, hoping in vain someone would throw him a giant bone or side of boeuf.
Interesting to note some of the sharpest knives in France come from Laguiole in Aveyron. I came home laden with Roquefort, prune cake, entrecote steak and walnuts. Aveyron producteurs come back to Paris for the Noel season at Salon Saveurs and Salon l'Agriculture.
Please come back mohair goat sock lady
Chef Marthe..such a pretty smile!
ReplyDeleteIs that the entrance to your building? Beau!!
That gratinée aux fruits rouges..miam..
I bet those socks are so warm..even the sheep is thinking about them;)
Looks like fun.
Chef Marthe..such a pretty smile!
ReplyDeleteIs that the entrance to your building? Beau!!
That gratinée aux fruits rouges..miam..
I bet those socks are so warm..even the sheep is thinking about them;)
Looks like fun.
That beautiful entrance is to Marthe's building. Yes the sheep dream of those toasty socks too ;)
ReplyDeleteIt is gorgeous..
DeleteVery much like some entrances I have seen in French movies.
Geesh I even repeat myself here;)
Food glorious food straight from the farmers.
ReplyDeleteLooks wonderful
So rare to see a BIG dog in Paris!
ReplyDeleteMaybe he came in from the country...Aveyron?
Always love fetes/exhibitions like this, like you I see something I like, hesitate and up not buying then regret it when I get home. Those socks would be so toasty. oh well never mind, you'll have to wear two pair at the same time.
ReplyDeleteThe best of France is at those fetes...and so much fun though I didn't stay for the dancing...
DeleteYuummmm Miam : Aligot ! I live now (I was Parisian) near Aveyron, in Cantal, and I like very much to eat aligot ! Thank you Carol !
ReplyDeleteAhhh...You dream of New York Nathanaelle!
DeleteWhile I dream of Paris..
And Aligot! and Cantal.
Self control can result in so many regrets....may you and your soul-mate socks be reunited soon!
ReplyDeleteI think the soul-mate socks will be at one of the Noel events!!
DeleteLike Sherlock Holmes I am now on a mission!
True I found wonderfully warm socks whilst in chilly Amiens at the chain DAMART.
They number their hot stuff 1-5. I bot #4 socks 2 pairs.
Some peep are greedy for warm socks and can't get enough.
Other peep prefer champagne :)
I will do a DAMART Report this week!!
FYI: DAMART makes Thermalactal clothing Like Lands End but maybe warmer!!
Delete5 grades of warmth
http://www.damart.fr/
Thermolactyl!!!
DeleteThank you Carol ! I live in Tarn, close to Aveyron and precisely i'll go to Laguiole (knives) on sunday and will be back with laguiole cheese and "gâteau à la broche" and perhaps "fouace" too :))
ReplyDeleteSorry my English !
You do have the BEST TIME, it just makes me happy to see all the fun adventures you are having!
ReplyDeleteYou make me daydream about how different my life might have been if I had stayed in France! Have Fun!
I love receiving your post with my morning Coffee!
It's never too late Ann.
DeleteParis is waiting for you!!
Delightul!!!
ReplyDeleteCarol, this event looks surely does look like a whole bunch of fun! That Christmas tree pastry formed on a spit is rather wonderful! Well, actually, everything that you've shown us here is rather wonderful.
ReplyDeletexo
To true Frances. I wanted to buy everything.
DeleteAnd yr buying from the maker. The Best.
Thank you for reporting this! I was there too, just by happenstance. I was discovering that wonderful Bercy park and followed my ears and nose and stumbled onto this truly great fair! Lots of fun!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed it too Julie!
DeleteWish we had met up ;))
Bravo Carol c'est très bien vu !
ReplyDeleteBisesss
You have so much fun & we get to live vicariously through you. Thanks, Carol. I'd love to hit one of those fetes next time I'm there.
ReplyDeleteits hard work having fun!
DeleteNext visit check the PB archive for the month you will be here.
these things occur annually always around the same weekends Suki.
This was a fun post. Don't you hate it when you pass up a buy only to regret it? I hope the sock lady shows up at a upcoming market for you. And, what fun to have a chef along too.
ReplyDeleteHaving a chef along is paramount!!
DeleteI almost made the tragic error of buying hazelnuts instead of WALNUTS.
Your posts are always so much fun-thank you for taking us with you on your adventures! I have perpetually cold feet and am loving those beautiful socks too! Can't wait for your Christmas posts! Thank you, Maureen
ReplyDeleteOne of my husband's most prized possessions is a laguiole pocket knife made from antler that I got for him about 20 years ago in France.
ReplyDelete