Paris, as we all know, is the capital of France. It is one of a kind in that it never fails to give that “something special” kind of feeling for anyone coming to visit. Yes, we all know that Paris is a beautiful place. The amount of leisure and delight one will get is incomparable, this city is in many ways priceless. Through the streets of Paris you will notice that outdoor cafes are prominent and fascinating ancient architecture is evident in the structures of buildings and monuments. But beauty does not end there. You can see elegance reflected in the classy restaurants, fabulous accommodations and diverse sources of recreation. The people are markedly sophisticated and stylish. Paris seems to be an ideal place for those who have all the time and resources to live a great worry-free kind of life. This city is made even gullible for those who can afford worldly living. Paris is also popularly romantic: wide open squares, beautiful parks and captivating views that make for pleasant walks, sightseeing, are all something that make this place everyone’s passion. Enumerating everything about Paris is too much for a single report. But an understanding about the common things you can expect when you are in Paris will make you realize why it is synonymous to beauty and style. French must be very lucky people to have a place like Paris. Among the many catches of Paris are the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Versailles and of course, the Eiffel Tower. The culinary delights and cultural sights are really something to indulge in Paris, a place so irresistible. I bet the local attractions like the Jardin de Tuileries and other attractions as simple as a bridge over still waters are enough to make one fall in love. The Paris Metropolitan is considered one of the most populated hub cities in Europe thought of as a city of lights and a city of love. It is basically a combination of the two and in it you will find just about everything to make the memory of your trip last with you a lifetime. Trendy bars and chic shops you’ll see everywhere. Moreover, the French have always been proud of their extraordinarily delectable cuisine. Cheese and sumptuous deserts, and grape wines are among their specialties! It is never surprising why Paris is the most popular tourist destination in the world.

France is surrounded by different kinds of cuisines in each of its regions. Each region of France boasted off different food specialties and it is based on the food available on that particular region. Generally, the northern part of France’s cuisine is composed of butter and dairy products; while the southern part of France mostly make dishes which are composed of tomatoes, olive oil and herbs. Regions which are living nearby the coasts, most of their cuisines are made of seafood since it is abundant in this area. On the Atlantic coast on the other hand, oysters are the most favorite and popular dish to be found in here. Oyster cuisines are popularly eaten in raw broiled or served it with cream sauce.

One of the most famous foods in France is what they called the “black diamonds”, this kind of food in France is very famous where it is considered as well as one of the very expensive and luxury foods in the country. This stuff or this warty mushroom grows mostly in the underground particularly in the roots of hazelnut trees and oak which is then being harvested by the well-trained sniffing dogs or pigs during the winter seasons. Another stuff that travelers or visitors of France should not miss while venturing their vacation here is to experience their French food and wines.

The French food and wines are in fact the most popular not only in France but all over the world. French people are very determined about their food and they are as well as meticulously as what we think they are when it comes to food matters. They are described as very much knowledgeable as well when it comes to regional specialties. One of the great examples of this is their various kinds of cheeses, since there are cheeses in France which are soft, flavored with herbs, peppercorns, or nuts and more. However, the most well-known French cheese is “Camembert” which is originated in the small town of Camembert Normandy. For the first time France travelers experiencing their gastronomic foods should never be miss.

One time or another we have eaten cheese. Cheese is one of the subtle and varied foods in the world. It is buttery, bland, creamy, pungent, sharp, rich, salty, innocuous or lightly delicate. Its aroma, can be overpowering, virtually unnoticeable or delicately aromatic. It can be hard or soft, or milky runny that we need a spoon to eat it. Cheese can be eaten with for snacks inserted in between loaf bread, or a gourmet meal or a superb wine companion.

In France there is what we call Comte cheese or French gryere, Gryere de Comte. Actually gryere is neither French nor Swiss. It has been made since Charlemagne’s time.
This cheese is aged for more than three months.

As with anything French everything is done with style. Everything, cheese included, is made with such flourish that is considered substandard to be not so. I am referring to the eyes or the holes in a French cheese called comte cheese. Comte cheese should have holes sizes like that of a small cherry or pea. And these holes are not achieved if affinage is curtailed or there is too low temperature.

I tasted comte cheese cut into small cubes with a glass of white wine. Perfect! Anyone? It has ivory-colored paste, caramalized and nutty flavor, and holes with sizes like that of hazel nuts. And it was said so that this is best eaten after 30 months it was made.

Comte cheese must pass the specifications of AOC or the Apellation d’origine controlee or controlled term of origin. AOC gives the standards of the comte cheese. Five percent of the cheese produced failed the AOC standard.

AOC state that comte cheese should only be made by milk from Montbeliarde. And individual cows should have the minimum of one hectares of grazing. Imagine that?! And these cows eat only natural, fresh food with no silage. From the milking of the cows, to transportation and to production in the site are under standard time to be followed. These are just a few of the AOC’s regulations.

There is nothing more French than Comte cheese. Tourists who have not tasted comte cheese cheated themselves with this best French delicacy.