A Handful of Must-Try Foods for Travelers in France

 

An experienced composer, musical director, and lecturer, Simon Whalley has worked in a number of environments, from churches to universities. Also an avid traveler, Simon Whalley enjoys experiencing new cultures through their food. One of his favorite destinations, France is particularly well known for its fine cuisine.

One of the must-try foods in France is the croque-monsieur, a warm ham-and-cheese sandwich made extra decadent with bechamel sauce. Travelers can also ask for a croque-madame, which adds a fried egg to the top of the sandwich.

Duck remains one of the most popular proteins in France and is often served as confit, meaning it has been cooked in its own fat until it is extremely tender. When it is served, chefs often sear the skin so that it is crispy.

When in the south of France, seafood fans should seek out some bouillabaisse, a stew made of fresh shellfish with vegetables and potatoes.

People with a sweet tooth need to try macarons, which are crunchy cookies made by filling an almond meringue shell broken in half with either chocolate ganache or buttercream. The cookies come in many flavors, so it is worth heading to a few different bakeries to check out the local options.

The World's First Known Poet

For more than three decades, Simon Whalley has been involved in the music field. Originally serving as an organ scholar and later as Alto Lay Vicar at the Chichester Cathedral in the United Kingdom, he has since held over half a dozen music director positions in New York and Oxford. In his free time, Simon Whalley maintains a strong passion for poetry. Poetry has a long history that many believe dates back to the beginning of mankind. The earliest poet and author that the world knows by name is Enheduanna. 

The daughter of Queen Tashlultum and the Akkadian King Sargon, Enheduanna was a Sumerian/Akkadian poet who lived from 2285 to 2250 BC. Her father appointed her the high priestess of a temple in Sumer in the city of Ur. This title made her responsible for combining the Akkadian and Sumerian gods to create stability in her father’s empire. 

While serving as high priestess, she began writing poetry. Much of her poetry was written to cheer the gods and goddesses while bringing support to her father. Her writings also continued through the reign of her brother. All together, it is estimated that she wrote around 42 poems. These poems detail her response to war, her personal frustrations and hopes, and her religious devotion. Some of her most well-known works include the Exaltation of Inanna and the Goddess of the Fearsome Powers. Many of these poems served as the template for the development of more modern genres.