Discover France: Travel, Food and Traditions

Discover France differently with Monsieur de France

 

Aerial view of Mont Saint-Michel surrounded by the bay and sandbanks, a medieval jewel of Normandy listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Mont Saint Michel seen from the sky: Photo selected by monsieurdefrance.fr: shutterstock

 

Monsieur de France is a passionate look at France, the France we visit, savor, and admire. Here, each article is a journey: it talks about Nancy and its Place StanislasBrittany and its legendsPérigord Noir and its golden villages, and Provence and its sunny markets. But it also talks about the secret France, that of forgotten little villagesfarmers who pass on their know-how, and old crafts that were thought to have disappeared.

 

Rocamadour, a medieval town clinging to its cliff, impresses with its spectacular beauty and unique spiritual heritage. Photo published on monsieurdefrance.com.

Rocamadour clinging to its cliff. Photo selected by monsieurdefrance.com: RFoto-VDW via depositphotos.

 

On the website, we travel through words: the writing is lively, a little mischievous, never static. Each place is described as if it were a story.

 

 

Travel and regions of France

 

Iconic destinations

 

Want to visit Paris

 

Monsieur de France introduces visitors to the great French iconsParis and its monuments, Versailles and its gardens, the Loire Valley castles, Mont-Saint-Michel, Nice and the French Riviera, Périgord, Corsica, Burgundy, or Brittany. Each destination is described with precision and emotion, drawing on official tourism websites and the traveler's experience.

 

The gilded gate of the Palace of Versailles, decorated with the royal coat of arms of France, is the majestic entrance to the main courtyard of the Palace of Versailles, Île-de-France.

The gold-leaf gate bearing the French coat of arms that closes off the main courtyard at Versailles / photo chosen by Monsieur de France: by Rodrigo Pignatta from Pixabay

 

 

Less well-known corners of France

But Monsieur de France also embodies a love for France's lesser-known treasures: charming villages, the Vosges valleys, the forests of Orne, the medieval towns such as Carcassonne and DinanRiquewihrEguisheim, or authentic spots like Mayenne and BerryEach region becomes a story, punctuated with anecdotes, practical advice, and photos designed for Google Images.

 

Greenery is the hallmark of the Mayenne department. Photo selected by monsieurdefrance.com: frederiquewacquier via Depositphotos.com

Greenery is the hallmark of the Mayenne department. Photo selected by monsieurdefrance.com: frederiquewacquier via Depositphotos.com

 

 

Practical tools for preparing your trip

 

traveling in France

 

Each article includes:

  • access information (car, train, plane, schedules, fares)

  • suggestions for walks or visits

  • official links to tourist sites

  • sometimes recommendations for neighborhoods where to eat

The site acts as a real travel guide, designed to be useful to French people and French-speaking foreign visitors alike.

 

Château de Chambord in the Loire Valley, a Renaissance masterpiece surrounded by forests, symbol of French royal heritage.

Château de Chambord Photo by Tsomchat/Shutterstock

 

 

French cuisine in the spotlight

 

Authentic recipes

 

Tarte Tatin dorée aux pommes caramélisées, classique intemporel de la pâtisserie française née d’un délicieux accident culinaire. Photo publiée sur monsieurdefrance.com.

A Tarte Tatin / photo by Mariko151825/Shutterstock.com

 

Monsieur de France cooks France.
Recipes tell as much about the history of a dish as its tastequiche Lorrainepot-au-feutarte TatinFrench toastratatouille and madeleines from Commercy. They are explained step by step, always using the right ingredients and the right techniques. Important phrases are in bold, and each recipe is verified using several reliable sources. If you love French pastries, this is the site for you.

 

Colorful Parisian macarons, delicate almond shells filled with ganache or cream, refined symbols of French pastry.

Typical Parisian macarons :  Photo selected by Monsieur de France from Pexels on Pixabay

 

Tips and regional variations

 

Each culinary page contains chef's tips, food and wine pairings, and often a touch of humor. You can also discover regional variations: Alsatian sauerkrautLorraine stewProvençal bouillabaisse and Breton crêpes. The idea is to inspire people to cook and understand France through its flavors.

 

Grandma's recipes

 

 

French culture and traditions

 

The symbols of France

 

The statue of Marianne, Place de la République in Paris, created by the Morice brothers and erected in 1883, embodies the values of liberty and citizenship. Photo published on monsieurdefrance.com.

The Marianne statue on Place de la République in Paris, created by the Morice brothers in 1883/ Photo by Mathias Reding on Unsplash

 

The site also recounts the history and symbols of France:
Marianne, the tricolor flagthe motto "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity", the Gallic rooster, and July 14th. These lively, educational articles explain the origin, values, and historical anecdotes associated with each symbol.

 

Le plus grand feu d’artifice de France est tiré depuis la tour Eiffel, illuminant le Champ-de-Mars, lieu historique de la Fête de la Fédération du 14 juillet 1790. Photo publiée sur monsieurdefrance.com.

The largest fireworks display is launched from the Eiffel Tower above the Champ de Mars, where the Fête de la Fédération was held on July 14, 1790. Photo selected by monsieurdefrance.com krys500 via depositphotos

 

Holidays and customs

 

Christmas, Easter, Saint Nicholas Day, Music Day, grape harvest... So many traditions recounted through the regions and the people.

 

The large Christmas tree on Place Kléber in Strasbourg, an emblematic tree from the Vosges mountains, symbolizes the Alsatian holidays and the oldest Christmas market in France.

The famous Grand Sapin tree on Place Kléber (it always comes from the nearby Vosges mountains). Photo selected by monsieurdefrance.com: ifeelstock via depositphotos.com


It features the warmth of Alsace's Christmas marketsthe nativity scenes of Provencethe carnivals of the North and the processions of Brittany.
It is a journey through France's collective memory.

 

 

French history told differently

 

Discover French history

 

When it comes to Monsieur de France, history is never boring.
It reads like a chronicle: we encounter D'Artagnan, Napoleon, Louis XIV, Charles de Gaulle, but also the women forgotten by history. Each article is accessible, accurate, and funny when it needs to be. The past comes alive, and we gain a better understanding of what made France what it is today.

 

Architect Alavoine's project for a gigantic cast iron elephant for Place de la Bastille in Paris, designed during the Empire. Image published on monsieurdefrance.com.

Alavoine's project / Photo selected by monsieurdefrance.com: By Unknown Author — Paris, Prisma einer Stadt, Zurich 1978, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5286498

 

 

The spirit of Monsieur de France

 

Behind every line, there is a voice: that of Jérôme Prod’homme.
A lively, curious man who loves France, he describes the country with humor and affection, without ever falling into nostalgia. The tone is human, curious, sincere. Monsieur de France is a smiling France, a France of heart and culture, where you learn as much as you wander.

 

Edmond Albius, a young slave from Réunion who discovered the manual pollination of vanilla in 1841, revolutionizing its cultivation around the world. Image published on monsieurdefrance.com.

Edmond Albius / illustration chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: Ambre Troizat — Edmond-Albius-Antoine-Roussin; Vanilla flower Vanille0945s, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=39863984

 

 

French expertise, fashion, and big names

 

Monsieur de France also celebrates France's talent. The talent that has been sewing, sculpting, painting, perfuming, cooking, inventing, and embellishing for centuries. On the website, you can discover the artisans who perpetuate ancient crafts: the master glassmakers of Lorraine, the cabinetmakers of Burgundy, the cutlers of Thiers and the pottery makers of Quimper. Each one tells a part of the soul of the country, passed down from hand to hand.

 

Paris is still the stronghold of fashion / Photo chosen by Monsieurdefrance: depositphotos

Paris remains the stronghold of fashion / Photo selected by Monsieurdefrance: depositphoto

 

But France is also the home of fashion and elegance.
Monsieur de France mentions Coco Chanel and Hubert de Givenchy, designers who have made Paris famous as the world capital of style. Through them, a whole art of living is expressed: the perfect cut, refined simplicity, and the beauty of detail.

 

Chanel perfume bottles, symbols of French elegance and refinement, embodying the timeless luxury of the house founded by Coco Chanel. Photo published on monsieurdefrance.com.

par CHLOE2017KD de Pixabay

 

And what about the great names in gastronomy and taste?
Chefs such as Antonin Carême, Auguste Escoffier, Paul Bocuse, Joël Robuchon, and Alain Ducasse embody this French standard of excellence. The website pays tribute to them by reminding us that French expertise is not stuck in the past; it continues to evolve, innovate and captivate the whole world. From art studios to Michelin-starred kitchens, Monsieur de France tells the story of the hands and hearts of those who make France what it is.

 

Antonin Carême, a great 19th-century chef nicknamed “the king of chefs and the chef of kings,” was a pioneer of French haute cuisine. Image published on monsieurdefrance.com.

 

Monsieur de France, a media outlet for passion and sharing

 

More than just a website, Monsieur de France is a cultural experience.
It connects curious minds to France: its landscapes, flavors, voices, and stories.
It highlights artisans, regions, monuments, but also the little wonders of everyday life.
The goal is simple: to love France and make others love it too.

 

The French aperitif is now mainly enjoyed with a glass of wine, a symbol of conviviality and art de vivre. Photo published on monsieurdefrance.com.

Apéro is now mainly enjoyed with wine / photo by Yulia Grigoryeva/Shutterstock.com

 

FAQ – About the Monsieur de France website

 

Who writes about Monsieur de France?

The articles are written by Jérôme Prod’homme, who is passionate about history, heritage, and gastronomy, in a personal and friendly tone.

 

What is the Monsieur de France website about?

From France in all its forms: its history, recipes, regions, traditions, and places to visit.

 

Is Monsieur de France a tourist attraction?

Not only that: it is a cultural and heritage site, which showcases France through travel, cuisine, and memory.

 

Can I use the photos on the website?

No, the images are specifically selected or produced for Monsieur de France and protected by copyright.

 

traveling in France

Why a Christmas tree?

Jérôme Prod'homme

Jérôme Prod'homme

It's the emblem of the end-of-year festivities, and Christmas in particular: the Christmas tree. Every year, 6,700,000 of them are sold in France, of which almost 6,000,000 are natural. And yet the fir hasn't always been so popular. They flopped at Versailles in the 18th century, before becoming a festive icon in the 19th century. A surprising consequence of a war and the arrival of many Alsatians in the capital. Monsieur de France tells the story.

Why three kings?

Jérôme Prod'homme

Jérôme Prod'homme

Tradition tells us that there were three wise men who offered gifts to the Christ Child a few days after Christmas. Why 3? What were the three kings called? What did they offer, and what do they symbolize? Monsieur de France's answers.

Meringue: Queen Marie Antoinette's delight

Jérôme Prod'homme

Jérôme Prod'homme

Although it's not officially known who invented meringue, and the Swiss believe they are the originators, all leads back to France, where the first written recipes for meringue can be found as early as the 17th century. Appreciated by Louis XV's wife, Queen Marie, and adored by Marie Antoinette, meringue is a delicacy that's easy enough to make, thanks to Monsieur de France's recipe.

What is Toussaint in France?

Jérôme Prod'homme

Jérôme Prod'homme

Tradition is always respected. Every year, millions of French men and women visit cemeteries to tend the graves and plant flowers. Chrysanthemums, the emblematic plant, continue to be the most common plant placed on graves, with 20,000,000 pots sold each year for All Saints' Day alone. But where does this holiday come from? Why Chrysanthemums, and what are the traditions of All Saints' Day? Monsieur de France's answers

What is celebrated on November 11 in France?

Jérôme Prod'homme

Jérôme Prod'homme

In France, November 11 is a special day. It commemorates the end of World War I on November 11, 1918, and pays tribute to all the soldiers who died for France. Monsieur de France tells you the story and meaning of this day of remembrance, which is deeply rooted in French culture.

War memorials in France: understanding French remembrance

Jérôme Prod'homme

Jérôme Prod'homme

Chaque village de France possède un monument aux morts. Pour les voyageurs étrangers, ces pierres silencieuses racontent une histoire universelle : celle d’un pays profondément marqué par la guerre, mais attaché à la paix, au souvenir et à la reconnaissance envers ceux qui ont donné leur vie.

What is a M.O.F?

Jérôme Prod'homme

Jérôme Prod'homme

It's a title found only in France: "Meilleur Ouvrier de France". It's a title that takes immense effort to achieve, and rewards the very best in 230 different trades, even if the most famous are often in the world of Gastronomy. The title of M.O.F., which has been awarded to some of the greatest names in the world, is truly unique in France, but is rarely awarded. Monsieur de France reminds us who these "meilleurs ouvriers de France" are, recognizable by their red, white and blue collars.

Bistro, café, restaurant... What is the difference ?

Jérôme Prod'homme

Jérôme Prod'homme

France is also the postcard of the small neighborhood or village bistro, the Parisian café and small or large restaurants. This is still true today, even if the number of bistros is decreasing. There were a little more than 38,000 "drinking establishments" in France in 2022 (including bistros and cafés) and a little more than 92,000 "traditional" restaurants, i.e. not including fast food restaurants. There are differences between the different establishments, which Monsieur de France reminds us, even if there is a huge common point between them: a certain art of living...

The privateers: forward for the king! ... And the gold.

Jérôme Prod'homme

Jérôme Prod'homme

Captains or shipowners, sometimes both, privateers are also part of French history. Armed for the "race", hence the name of privateers, they scoured the seas to attack the enemy ships of France and some became famous like Surcouf, Dugay-Trouin or Jean Bart. Discover these daring men who should never be confused with pirates, who fought with the authorization of the king...

French fries are french or not ?

Jérôme Prod'homme

Jérôme Prod'homme

Even if Belgium is by far the country that consumes the most French fries, France also likes them. The proof: each year, 55 kg of potatoes are consumed per inhabitant in France and they are often eaten in the form of French fries. Some people even say that it was in France, in Paris, that French fries were invented... What the Belgians naturally dispute! A history of French fries, a small way of making them and a good recipe of mussels and fries to discover here... Thank you Monsieur de France !