Whatever the season or region, France’s fairs and festivals are a prime attraction for both locals and travelers. Few can resist the lure of bustling markets as regional specialties and mouthwatering delicacies are fervently discussed amid the jostling crowds. La France Gourmande explores the country’s age-old food festivals and fairs, highlighting the diversity of regional products and traditions, from Normandy’s coastal fish fairs to the colorful cherry, olive, and lavender festivals in the south. Traditions, too, are explored, often with the locals themselves, offering a wonderfully evocative picture of French rural life. Each fair or festival features a delicious regional recipe, and the book’s 12 chapters provide a month-by-month companion to events. Complete with a region-by-region index detailing all the relevant information on a particular area, La France Gourmande is gloriously illustrated with color photos of people and places, foods and markets. Read Less