While it’s increasingly common to see people in Paris eating on-the-go or even skipping meals in the face of work and other obligations, the beloved sit-down feast remains a mainstay of daily life in the rest of France. When we took my in-laws on their first trip to the States last summer, they couldn’t bear the thought that munching on a sandwich while exploring the city could be considered a proper lunch. At the very least, that sandwich would require additional picnic provisions (including dessert) and a lengthy pause in the park. And while this steadfast need to sit down and diligently savor every meal can seem excessive to the young or unfamiliar, it’s one of the things I appreciate most about the French.
French expat in Boston Béatrice Peltre has done an extraordinary job assimilating her own food traditions from childhood in the French countryside– never missing lunch, for one – into what has been a very American life for the last 14 years. Professional food stylist, writer, photographer and author of the award-winning food blog La Tartine Gourmande, Béa has attracted a loyal following not only for her stunning photos and recipes but for the personal…
