This collection of light, sometimes humorous, essays (by an English expat in France) explores 13 French “fairs and festivals connected with food and drink, the more unusual the better.”

There are truffles; frogs’ legs; snails; wines; blood sausages; cheeses (I want to try a Livarot -- whose pungency on the page scares me, but whose “dense, chewy, elastic, creamy” textures entice me); and Bresse chickens (I’d like to try). There are also pieces about the Michelin guide; a spa stay; bikini-dining; and a costume-dress 42-km marathon run through Bordeaux vineyards. I enjoyed this but not to the degree of A Year in Provence, which was transporting about food and France and remains one of my all-time favorites.

These are recurring festivals and I’m sure that, today, each one has a lavish website. But it was shocking (with the book’s copyright of 2001) to peruse the contact info in an appendix and be reminded how recently there has been anything other than a snail-mail address or occasional fax#. ( )

I could never just travel around without a plan like he does. But it mostly works for him. There might have been a time or two when he showed up at the wrong place looking for something that wasn't there...but it all works out in the end. ( )

An exploration of France's celebration and veneration of food items many think odd; such as snails, frog's legs and blood sausages. Mayle spends a year traveling to the various celebrations throughout France which feature one special ingredient. Rather than any grand analysis, this seems a really good excuse to travel and eat delicious things. His humor is fun, poking fun at himself and others and humanity at large, but not darkened by heavy sarcasm or ridicule.

I very much enjoyed this, probably as close as I will ever get to enjoying road trips in France. ( )

I picked this up as a way of traveling while stuck at home. It worked for that, but I was left wanting more. This was the sort of travel writing that makes me think about the place, not the kind that makes me feel like I'm there (or want to be there). That said, I do plan to read more by this author and I look forward to it. ( )

A fun read, with delightful little stories about visiting wine and cheese festivals throughout France. I enjoyed learning about some of the wines of the country. ( )