Last weekend was the MIF salon at Porte de Versailles (Paris' Javits convention center) and I finally went after looking at posters in the Metro for two years. These are some of the items I bought. Missing is the miel(honey) from the Ile de Ré and a bar of defoliating soap from Jeanne M.
The 3-day salon is strictly regional French products. 300 entrepreneurs big and small proudly showing decor, fashion, home, cosmetics and of course gastronomie. Weekends are when these food salons take place in Paris.
This weekend you can visit;
MIF is at the same location as the Salon du chocolat. It's big.
And crowded on a Sunday afternoon, the last day. I thought I'd just waltz in and waltz out in an hour.
Ha! Not possible. Three hours later...Plus when you go the last day all the red apricot jam from Provence is long gone. Best go early. Did I say there is plenty of degustation (tasting).
My first purchase was this red current (groiseilles) juice. I simply can not resist a big bottle of home-grown fruity juice (65% fruit) especially if it's ruby red. This from Domaine des Rubis from Haut-Alpes.
Gorgeous burnt Sienna vials of Armagnac.
Like all the rest watching I am fascinated by anyone doing a food shortcut demo.
Somehow I buying this plastic tube thing (5€) unlike the irresistable pineapple cutter or veggie chopper of past shows. You place it in an orange or lemon and easily squeeze out the juice. I saw French kids walking around, well-behaved, clutching oranges and calmly sucking up the juice tube.
I tasted so much goat cheese but forgot to buy (end-of-show deals too) from Fromagerie de la Durance. Love to visit a goat farm. Most vendors have guided visits. Some have museums!
Another thing I should have bought - Cancoillotte from Franche-Comté. So creamy yet fat-free (according to Coco Jobard) but It's hard to buy something you can't pronounce.
I tasted this gateau Breton from Pont-Aven Sooo buttery and sugary. I'm always up for a taste at these shows otherwise what's the point of going? Forget your own personal likes and dislikes and go with the flow. It's the only way to discover new things.
I loved this innovative children's playground equipment from Trigano-EVO. Many new fun products at the show. You sense the pride.
Cosmetics that make you look younger from Jeanne M (her grandmere) made from snail 🐌 slime of La Rochelle. She gave me a bar of soap to try out.
I'm mad for lavender. I have sachets hanging on every door knob and window latch. Plus sachets at my desk to squeeze and kneed (to release the soothing aromas).
They say Lavandre is a de-stressor. I'm convinced. I bought a spray from Les Agnels of Provence. I'd love to visit their lavender museum in the Luberan near Apt.
There is no French food salon without mountains of chocolate, this from Beussent-Lachelle.
Evidently dogs 🐶 are allowed. Do visit MIF next November. You'll have a ball.
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Even with days of steady rain and gloom
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