Kitchen anecdote guide

History of French pastries: everything you need to know about the Yule log, the star of Christmas Eve celebrations

With chestnuts, chocolate, fruit, ice cream or rolled, small or large: the Yule log is the ultimate holiday dessert! But where does it come from, and what is its history? Let us tell you.

Why do we celebrate the arrival of Beaujolais nouveau? History and origins of this French festival

Every year, on the third Thursday in November, Beaujolais Nouveau arrives in bars and restaurants. But do you know the origins of this French celebration?

What's for Thanksgiving 2025? Traditional American specialities

Let's eat! Discover the traditional American specialties you'll be enjoying at Thanksgiving 2025, on November 27!

What's for Día de Muertos 2025? Traditional Mexican specialties

Discover the traditional Mexican specialities that are customary for Día de Muertos 2025!

Did you know? You can glean and collect fruit and vegetables for free in Ile-de-France.

In Île-de-France, it's possible to collect fruit and vegetables free of charge thanks to an age-old practice: gleaning. Once reserved for the most needy, gleaning has been given a new lease of life, attracting a varied public concerned with reducing food waste. We tell you how.

Did you know? You can walk on rails in Bercy Village, a vestige of the winegrowing past.

There's more to Bercy Village than shopping... If you look down, you'll still discover rails embedded in the cobblestones, remnants that tell another story of the neighborhood: that of an immense wine center that made Paris the world capital of the wine trade in the XIXᵉ century.

Did you know? Why is the glacier station called that?

Have you ever wondered where the names of certain metro stations come from? On line 6, Glacière station is one of those that intrigues. What's ice got to do with a station in the 13ᵉ arrondissement? Here's a look at a slightly frosty story.

Are you familiar with the "Bread Decree", the law that governs the art of the baguette in France?

In France, we love baguettes, but do you know how? To make sure it's well made, there are codes, and even a law: the Décret Pain. We tell you all about it.

Did you know? The surprising story behind the iconic round shape of the champagne glass

The champagne glass has a much more surprising history than you might think. Behind its rounded curves lies a legend intimately linked to an emblematic royal figure in French history...

Boulevardier, Bloody Mary, Mimosa, French75, Blue Lagoon: cocktails invented in Paris

Legendary creations from Harry's New York Bar and the Ritz Bar in Paris, discover the origins, mythical recipes and anecdotes of the cocktails that invented Paris: the Bloody Mary, the French 75, the Monkey Gland, the Boulevardier, the Mimosa and the Blue Lagoon.

Do you know which Île-de-France town Paris-Brest comes from?

A gourmet creation par excellence, today the Paris-Brest can be found in most French bakeries and pastry shops. We tell you more about the history of this cake.

Did you know? Only one vestige of the former Halles de Paris remains in Nogent-sur-Marne.

The sole survivor of the twelve iron and glass pavilions designed by Victor Baltard to modernize the commercial heart of Paris, No. 8 now stands in Nogent-sur-Marne. A precious testimony to the industrial architecture of the Second Empire, it has been enjoying a second life since 1976.

The baguette, the history of this Parisian bread that has become a French tradition and a national symbol

A timeless emblem of everyday life in France, the baguette was born in Paris in the early 20ᵉ century, shaped by history, craftsmanship and a few legends. Discover its origins, myths and rise to become a symbol in the eyes of the world.

Did you know? The Grande Halle de la Villette once housed a huge slaughterhouse.

Some of Paris's most famous landmarks hide their true identity... like the Grande Halle de la Villette. Now a welcoming exhibition center, it was once home to one of the world's largest slaughterhouses!

Brie de Meaux, Brie de Melun, Brie de Coulommiers: what are the differences between these cheeses from 77?

Brie de Meaux, Brie de Melun, Brie de Coulommiers: what are the differences between these three cheeses produced in Seine-et-Marne (77)? We tell you all about these treasures of the Ile-de-France region.

Did you know? Saffron is grown in the Brie region of Ile-de-France.

In recent years, saffron has made a comeback in the Brie region of Seine-et-Marne. Discover this delicate crop, its rare flavors and surprising anecdotes about the region.

Eggs mayonnaise, eggs mimosa... But what exactly is the difference?

Eggs mayonnaise or eggs mimosa, the hardest choice to make. But do you know the difference between these two famous bistro recipes, veritable totems of traditional French cuisine?

Guide Michelin 2026: Are the stars only awarded to fine dining restaurants?

Have you ever wondered whether Michelin stars are only awarded to gourmet restaurants? We've got the answer!

Why do we eat snails in France and how did they become a speciality?

Why do we eat snails in France? Discover the historical and cultural origins of this French gastronomic specialty, from prehistoric times to Burgundy, and learn why snails have become an emblematic holiday dish.

Did you know? Île-de-France: once the world's largest vineyard!

Discover how vines, planted as far back as antiquity, made the Île-de-France the world's leading vineyard in the XVIIIᵉ century (over 40,000 ha), and explore the urban and rural vineyards that are resurrecting this prestigious tradition today.