Qu'est-ce qui se passe?
      ~  Is Defeat Looming for the European 
          Constitution?
      ~  The  Cheese Challenge

Paris Enigmas
      by Arthur Gillette

Ici et Là

Three Rooms of Ham 
   by Marcia Mitchell

FEATURING La Drôme 
   ~ the "five countries"

The Bookshelf

French Wine Report: 
  Spotlight on Chateau Dassault 
  by Panos Kakaviatos

French cheese and wine, for example, are two important reasons (while certainly just two of many) that we love France.  At home we give our patronage to those wine shops carrying the widest selection of French AOCs, and we have French cheese shipped to us across an ocean!  Read more about the challenges to the cheesemakers  of France in this newsletter.   Gratefully, despite what many perceive to be overzealous government regulations, the reality of increased world competition and, until recently, a certain apathy when it came to marketing, it is not all gloom and doom in the French wine business ~ we hope you will enjoy Panos Kakaviatos' interesting article about a recent tasting of some 2004 Bordeaux wines and enjoy along with him his privileged visit to Chateau Dassault.

The March 29th vote on the European Union Constitution is extremely important.  It may not be clear to foreigners how a oui or non vote impacts France, but in this newsletter we will try to present some views and opinions from both sides. 

Our featured region in this edition is the Drôme département of France's Rhône-Alpes.  Not very well known, but deserving of our attention, the Drôme offers something for everyone all wrapped up in a beautiful package.  And, we will introduce a marvelous chambres d'hôtes near the Rhône River where guests are treated to absolutely lovely accommodations and the fine cuisine offered in the château's dining room.

Two new books are reviewed in this issue, both written by Americans, telling of their experiences and adventures in France.  One, Families of the Vine, is written with great insight in an easy manner about three different wine producing families in France.  The other, Chasing Matisse, takes us along on an adventure with a couple who packs up their life in America's south to begin a whole new life in France.  The author, an established writer and aspiring painter, peppers the tales with wit, and when sadness invades their lives, with great empathy.

And there is more,  including our calendar of cultural events and news, an article by Marcia Mitchell on using French to your advantage when in France, and, of course, we want to say 'bienvenue' to our new subscribers and hope that many of our readers will be visiting France this year on their own.

>   to read about the the challenges facing the French cheese industry ~ and the young people taking an interest.

>   to hone your French skills.  You might find some help in the article by Marcia Mitchell entitled, 
Three Rooms of Ham ~ a humorous look at getting by with politesse in France.

> to find out what's happening inside the world of Bordeaux wine: our French Wine Report   from Panos Kakaviatos.

>   to visit a charming chambres d'hôtes near the mighty Rhône river, offering fine cuisine and luxury accommodations: Château le Roure part of our feature on La Drôme.

PARIS ENIGMAS  . . . A Quiz on Your Knowledge of Historic Paris
                                                                                                       by Arthur Gillette

Question from the last issue:   What is the Parisian public thoroughfare that bears the same name over the longest distance?

Answer:   It is Rue de Vaugirard, stretching 4.36 kilometers from the Latin Quarter nearly to the Porte de Versailles.  It is named for a 9th century monk from St. Germain des Prés who, it is thought,  evangelized along its itinerary, and the name means Valgérard ~ 'Gerard's Valley'.

Our new question:  What is the origin of the name Montparnasse (as in boulevard du)?

Contact Arthur Gillette,  and take advantage of his amazing knowledge of Paris by enjoying
one or more of his Paris Through the Ages Strolls.  Email:armedv@aol.com

[See the answer to this edition's question revealed in our September issue]

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SPONSORING THIS ISSUE:

French Château Note Cards

 Beautiful original pen and ink drawings of a dozen French château chambres d'hôtes 
can be yours in the form of note cards with matching envelopes.  Simply click on
any butterfly above to see them and learn how you can order yours! 

[If you are interested in advertising in FRANCE On Your Own, contact advertise@franceonyourown.com]
 

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