Semaine du Goût: France’s Great Food Week

In France, food is a matter of national heritage, protected with much the same seriousness as its art and architecture. Champagne can only come from Champagne, Roquefort must be matured in the caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, and hundreds of regional specialities are protected by strict appellation laws governing where and how they are produced. The French call this relationship between food and place terroir. It is an idea that encompasses the land, climate and generations of knowledge behind what ends up on the table.

Each October, La Semaine du Goût celebrates this extraordinary culinary inheritance. What began in 1990 as a single day dedicated to taste at Paris's Place du Trocadéro has grown into a nationwide initiative dedicated to food education and the discovery of different flavours, ingredients and culinary skills. Farmers, cheesemakers, bakers and chefs share their expertise through school lessons, tastings and workshops, encouraging children and adults alike to learn more about the food they eat and the people who produce it.

The 37th edition takes place from 12–18 October 2026. To mark the occasion, we're exploring five of France's great culinary regions, the food and wine traditions that make each distinctive, and beautiful places to stay nearby.

The markets of Provence

In Provence, the morning market is an essential part of life. Beneath striped awnings, stalls flow with olives, local cheeses, fragrant herbs and seasonal produce. Autumn brings figs, squash, wild mushrooms and the first of the new olive harvest.

Provençal cooking has always favoured good ingredients treated simply. Olive oil is central, alongside garlic, tomatoes and the wild herbs of thegarrigue. Ratatouille, soupe au pistou and tapenade are among the region's best-loved specialities, while the markets themselves offer the chance to meet the growers and artisans who maintain these traditions.

Where to stay: Le Mas de Verguières

With its pale green shutters and traditional Provençal facade, Le Mas de Verquières sits within a hectare of private grounds near Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. The beautifully renovated house has a generous farmhouse-style kitchen, opening onto gardens and a covered dining terrace overlooking the pool. Saint-Rémy's markets and restaurants are just 12 kilometres away, making it a lovely setting for mornings spent choosing ingredients and afternoons preparing a long Provençal lunch.

Burgundy’s taste for the finer things

Few regions have contributed quite so much to France's gastronomic reputation as Burgundy. Its vineyards are among the most celebrated in the world, producing exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from carefully distinguished parcels of land. The same attention extends to its food.

Époisses, the famously pungent washed-rind cheese, comes from the Côte-d'Or, while beef bourguignon and coq au vin remain enduring examples of the region's rich cooking. Dijon mustard, traditionally made with finely ground mustard seeds, is another celebrated speciality.

Where to stay: Château Bourgogne

Dating back to the 13th century, Château Bourgogne has an atmosphere wonderfully suited to the region's culinary traditions. Its magnificent kitchen features a Lacanche range cooker, while a wine library curated by the château's sommelier offers an introduction to local bottles. A private chef can also be arranged, leaving guests free to enjoy an evening around the château's dining table, with fine Burgundy wine and the fireplaces lit.

Loire Valley: The land of cheese and wine

The Loire Valley's culinary identity follows the course of its great river, passing through vineyards, orchards and fertile farmland. Its cheeses are particularly distinguished, especially the region's many varieties of chèvre. Crottin de Chavignol, Sainte-Maure de Touraine and Selles-sur-Cher each have their own protected designation, reflecting the places and traditional methods behind them.

The region's wines offer equally remarkable variety. Around Saumur, Chenin Blanc produces elegant still and sparkling wines, while Cabernet Franc is responsible for the area's fragrant reds. Local markets bring these traditions together, with artisan cheeses, seasonal vegetables and bottles from nearby vineyards.

Where to stay: Le Château de la Ronde

Just ten minutes from Saumur, Le Château de la Ronde is a beautifully restored country château surrounded by more than an acre of private gardens. Its elegant interiors include a spacious dining room and five en-suite bedrooms, while the terrace looks across the grounds. Nearby Saumur offers wine cellars, restaurants and markets, with the riverside village of Montsoreau particularly lovely for its Sunday morning market.

Autumn in the Dordogne

Autumn is an especially rewarding season for exploring the Dordogne's food traditions. The region's oak and chestnut woods yield cèpes and other wild mushrooms, while walnuts, an important part of Périgord cooking for centuries, appear in cakes, oils and savoury dishes.

Duck is another regional speciality, served as rich confit, pan-seared magret or alongside potatoes cooked in duck fat. In Sarlat, the weekly markets bring these ingredients together beneath the old town's golden-stone buildings. Later in the year comes the celebrated black truffle season, when one of France's most prized ingredients takes centre stage.

Where to stay: Maison Mallegale

Just outside Sarlat-la-Canéda, Maison Mallegale combines traditional Dordogne stonework with beautifully contemporary interiors. Its open-plan kitchen and dining room have exposed beams, a double-height ceiling and doors opening onto the garden terrace. Sarlat's historic centre is only 2.6 kilometres away, placing its Wednesday and Saturday markets close at hand. The perfect arrangement for bringing home fresh produce and putting the kitchen to good use.

Bordeaux’s celebration of wine

Bordeaux's culinary heritage is inseparable from its vineyards; centuries of winemaking and trade have made the region one of the world's great wine capitals, with celebrated appellations including Saint-Émilion, Pomerol and Margaux.

Beyond the grand estates, Bordeaux has a rich food culture of its own. The city's famous canelés, with their caramelised crusts and soft, custardy centres, are a particular pleasure, while the surrounding countryside produces wonderful cheeses, seasonal vegetables and regional specialities. Wine tastings and visits to local producers offer an opportunity to understand the traditions that have shaped the region.

Where to stay: Domaine Peyrayey

Set on a traditional wine domaine in the Bordeaux countryside, Domaine Peyrayey offers a peaceful base for discovering the region's vineyards. The stone house opens onto a dining terrace and lawned gardens, with a private pool and tennis court beyond. Bordeaux and Libourne are both around 25 minutes away, putting some of the region's most celebrated wine estates and restaurants within easy reach.

France's culinary traditions are best experienced at their source – in village markets, family-run vineyards and around tables laden with local specialities. Make your next holiday a celebration of French food and wine. Explore Pure France's collection of beautiful holiday homes and find your perfect place to stay, with the country's finest culinary traditions on your doorstep.