Bordeaux: The Food Capital of Southwest France You Need to Know is the latest episode of Fabulously Delicious — and it makes the case that this UNESCO World Heritage city is one of the most extraordinary and most underrated food destinations in all of France. Most people arrive in Bordeaux for the wine. This episode is about everything else — the lamprey, the canelé, the Aquitaine caviar, the markets, the chefs and the two thousand years of trade and cultural collision that made this port city on the Garonne one of the great eating cities of Europe.
The first half covers the full history of Bordeaux — from the Celtic tribe who first settled on the crescent of the Garonne around 300 BC, through three centuries of English rule following Eleanor of Aquitaine’s marriage to Henry Plantagenet in 1152, to the eighteenth century golden age that built the Grand-Théâtre, the Place de la Bourse and one of the most beautiful waterfronts in Europe. We cover what makes Bordeaux cuisine unlike anything else in France — a cuisine built at the crossroads of Atlantic, Mediterranean and Iberian influences, shaped by what arrived at the docks and what grew in the surrounding countryside.
The second half goes deep into three of the most extraordinary food products Bordeaux has given the world — the canelé, born from the leftover egg yolks of the wine trade; lamprey à la bordelaise, the true à la bordelaise dish that most visitors never discover; and Aquitaine caviar, the only PGI protected caviar in the world, farmed in the rivers of the Gironde. We also cover the remarkable figures Bordeaux has given to French gastronomy — from Adolphe Dugléré, who served the Dinner of the Three Emperors in 1867, to Raymond Oliver, Philippe Etchebest and Hélène Darroze.
Fabulously Delicious — where we explore the food, culture, history, and travel experiences that make France one of the most delicious countries in the world. If you love French cuisine, Paris food culture, hidden bakeries, markets, wine bars, and regional specialties, you’re in the right place.
🎧 You can also listen to Fabulously Delicious: The French Food Podcast on all major podcast platforms.
Explore Paris Through Food
If you’re planning a trip to Paris — or simply dreaming about one — my book Paris: A Fabulous Food Guide to the World’s Most Delicious City is your ultimate food lover’s companion.
Inside you’ll discover hand-picked recommendations for the best:
🥐 Boulangeries
🍰 Pâtisseries
🍷 Wine bars
☕ Cafés
🍽️ Restaurants
🧀 Specialty food shops
All personally curated to help you experience the true flavours of Paris.
📖 Order your copy here: https://www.andrewpriorfabulously.com/category/books
Cook With Me in France
Want to go beyond tasting French food and actually learn to cook it in France? Join me in Montmorillon, in the beautiful Vienne region, for one of my Vienne Residency Cooking Experiences.
These immersive stays combine:
✨ Hands-on French cooking classes
🧺 Visits to local markets
🍷 Regional food tastings
🏡 A private stay in a charming French townhouse
🇫🇷 A true taste of life in rural France
It’s the perfect experience for food lovers who want to live the French lifestyle for a few days.
Learn more here: https://www.andrewpriorfabulously.com/vienne-residencies
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