Let’s celebrate the Tour de France… of food!🚲🍴 While the cyclists embark on a rigorous 21-stage journey around the country, Taste France takes you on a “tour de food” to discover some of France’s most emblematic regions and their gastronomic specialties.
On July 2, cyclists of the 2024 Tour de France will cross the border from Italy into France, where they’ll embark on a rigorous 21-stage journey around the country. As riders race along coastlines, through mountain ranges, vineyards, and tiny medieval villages, spectators get the opportunity to take in some truly spectacular views! Of course, if there’s anything we love more than witnessing the majestic regions of France, it’s discovering their local food and wine specialties. Following the route of the Tour de France, we embark on a “tour de food” to discover some of France’s most emblematic regions and their gastronomic specialties.
Grenoble Walnuts from the Alpes
Cyclists will enjoy a relatively flat ride for this portion of the journey, perhaps allowing them to enjoy the vibrant landscapes between St-Jean-de-Maurienne and Saint-Vulbas (located just 20 miles from Lyon) in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Those feeling peckish might find a much-needed boost of energy after snacking on the region’s famous Grenoble Walnuts. For the best quality, make sure the package is labelled “PDO” to ensure they are cleaned, sorted, and dried according to the traditional methods. The region’s famous Fin Gras du Mézenc beef, with its incredible marbling, or the absolutely iconic Tartiflette featuring Reblochon cheese are options for a more hearty meal!
Mustard from Burgundy
Mustard-lovers will delight in this 6th stage of the race as riders pedal from Mâcon to Dijon in Burgundy. While everyone has heard of bright and smooth Dijon Mustard (a name which actually refers to a style of mustard rather than its place of origin), fewer know Burgundy Mustard. A true product of the Burgundy terroir, this mustard is crafted in Burgundy using locally produced mustard seeds and Burgundy white wine, resulting in a strong flavour that adds character to any dish. Of course, we can’t mention Burgundy without mentioning its famous vineyards: thanks to the region’s 1,247 “climates” (parcels of vines with their own unique characteristics, such as geology or exposure), Burgundy wines are renowned around the world for good reason.
Champagne from Champagne
In this stage, cyclists will traverse Troyes, a stunning medieval town located in the heart of the Champagne region, known for its wines. Naturally, the star of Champagne is… well, Champagne! Undoubtedly one of France’s most famous wines and a long-standing symbol of refinement, this bubbly drink is an excellent choice for celebration, and you might even see some cyclists toasting with a glass at the end of the race!
Saint-Nectaire from Auvergne
As cyclists make their way to Auvergne, they’ll soon find themselves in the enchanting mountainous area of the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Nature Park. It’s here, in the volcanic peaks of the Monts Dore, that Saint-Nectaire cheese originated. This smooth, semi-soft cheese has a strong earthy and nutty taste that works perfectly on cheese boards, in salads and sandwiches, or even incorporated into baked dishes.
Agen prunes from Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Stage 13 will find competitors in the countryside of Southwest France, biking through Lot-et-Garonne in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, which happens to be one of the defined areas where one can find Agen prunes. Made using plums that are harvested when at the peak of their natural sweetness and then dried to concentrate their taste, Agen prunes are packed with vitamin and fibre as well as flavour, making them an ideal snack on-the-go or an excellent accompaniment to a comforting dessert. For a dish that’s 100% regional, cyclists might enjoy a baguette sandwich made with salty, melt-in-your-mouth Bayonne Ham and rich, nutty Ossau-Iraty cheese, paired with a fresh and fruity Saint Emilion red wine.
Sisteron lamb from Provence
In the 18th Stage of the Tour de France, cyclists will race through the breathtaking Southern French Alps via Gap and Barcelonnette. This mountainous region is famous for its Sisteron lamb, which is a tender and mild-tasting meat produced according to local traditions and artisanal savoir-faire.
Niçoise salad from Côte d'Azur
The 2024 Tour de France ends in the city of Nice, capital of the French Riviera in the enchanting Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, with its bright blue skies, Mediterranean waters, and palm trees. And who can say “Nice” without thinking of its namesake dish, the Niçoise salad? This French classic combines tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, Nyons Black Olives, green beans, anchovies, and tuna for a deliciously savoury, refreshing, and satiating dish. Other regional hits like the quintessential Ratatouille and refreshing Pastis spirit go down particularly well under the warm sun of the South of France.
Hoping to explore more of France?
Now that we’ve completed our culinary journey of some of the 2024 Tour de France’s most delicious destinations, you might be wondering how to enjoy these dishes in person. Consider booking your own bicycle trip or travelling France by train to discover even more of what the country’s many distinct regions have to offer!
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