I read in The Local recently that the French had voted this year on THE most beautiful village in France. Now how you choose the most beaufiful village in a country of astoundingly beautiful villages, I don’t know. But the French themselves have spoken. And their answer is: Kaysersberg!
Kaysersberg? Never heard of it! But of course I wanted to go. And when I googled it, I was shocked: it was right on the route my American girlfriends were taking on our annual French vacation, a mere 10 off course. So of course we were most excited to see it.
Kaysersberg is in the Alsace, and it has the half-timbered houses typical of the region. The difference is, these houses are painted in bright, Crayola. There was a beautiful church in the middle. Everything was pristine. Flowers were everywhere, of course. But, no surprise: so were the tourists, and the souvenir shops.
Well yes, it was pretty and colorful, but a little too Disney for our taste. We walked around for an hour, then off we went. Somehow it just didn’t wow us. But to be fair, it was August, the height of the tourist season. My French neighbor visited the town this month when it was much quieter, and she adored it.
Afterwards we went to Riquewihr, another tourist village which had more of an air of reality, where we found our favorite restaurant of the trip. If you do the Alsace route, it’s easy to hit both of these, along with Eguisheim, which is another charm-soaked village, even smaller but with some quirky architecture that’s not to be missed, plus some pleasant cafes. And you SHOULD do the Alsace wine route–so beautiful and we were pleasantly surprised by the wines.
So what’s my favorite village in France? I can’t pick just one. Near us, the tiny village of St Clement sur Guye gets my vote. In Provence, I’d probably choose Venasque. In the Dordogne, Carrenac. And now dear readers, what’s your choice?
More pix of Kaysersberg:
Here are my US girlfriends, Dee, Darlene, and Sandi, classy as always
French villages tend to go crazy with the flowers. Love it!
And grapes in France grow everywhere, even in the middle of Kayserberg.
In the COMMENTS: The comments were great this week. Not only did we get into a discussion about the best coffeemakers, but also about Starbucks! (For info, I think their coffee is not bad if you keep it simple, but I love to support the independent cafés). Christine has a great suggestion for an inexpensive and high quality espresso maker. I have to admit though, part of my love for the Nespresso machine is that you make a cup or two and there is absolutely nothing to clean up. Also, as Natalia points out, you can whip out both a decaf and a regular in a flash, a cup at a time.
And speaking of our faithful reader Natalia, she emailed me a great recipe for lobster Thermidor. What better way to perk up a dreary January day? I'm including it here, thanks Natalia. (But may I add a recipe suggestion? Lobsters have been in the news this week because Switzerland banned boiling them alive. And there's no way I can throw an animal in boiling water and listen to it's frantic scratching around in the pot. Though there is debate on the best way, apparently a more humane way to kill them is to plunge a sharp knife between their eyes, then quickly split them in half from the bottom. I am going to try making this recipe with shrimp, I think that will also be yummy).
RECIPE: Natalia's Lobster Thermidor
Really simple, basically four steps: remove cooked lobster from shells, cut into bite size pieces; mix into Mornay Sauce; spoon into shells and top with additional Gruyere; place on lined baking sheet; place under broiler for a few minutes,watching carefully. I like mine served with haricots verts, Rod likes a sliced tomato salad. Enjoy!
This is au pif: (approximate):
Serves 2 (adjust number of lobster tails to how many you are serving; ditto for increasing Mornay sauce).
Line baking sheet with non stick foil or parchment. Preheat oven to broil. Use 2 larger cooked lobster tails,or 4 smaller ones, and have fish man split in half so each half lies flat on pan. Remove meat from tails and cut into bite size pieces.
For Mornay sauce: Make bechamel sauce: warm 6-7 oz milk, sprinkle with a dash of nutmeg. Make roux and slowly pour milk into it, stirring–don’t let bechamel get too thick because you will now be adding 1 or so small non heaping handfuls (to taste) of grated Gruyere (I prefer Comté but haven’t been able to get it; used Kalbach Cave from Whole Foods and it was great).
Stir this in until cheese melts and is a yummy creamy mixture. Remove sauce from heat. Stir in lobster meat. Spoon into empty shells; top with additional gruyere. Place under broiler till cheese melts and is yummy. Serve and enjoy!!!
Favorite READS: Above I mentioned the Local, which is a French newspape, heavy on French culture, for expats, written in English from a mostly British perspective (I'm too lazy to wade through the French papers, except occasionally). There is another one called the Connexion. Both are available on-line for free, and you can also find them in the App store for your phone or ipad. If you want to keep a pulse on French culture, this is a good way.
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12 thoughts on “THE Most Beautiful Village, Chosen by the French”
My problem is that I need to visit more places to make an informed decision. Hopefully, I will. Your girlfriends look great. What man friends are the best to sustain us! Thanks for the article.
So happy to read your article about Alsace. We are looking forward to our visit there in March. Can you tell me the name of the restaurant in Riquewihr? Any other of your favorites would be appreciated also. Love to get recommendations from the best! Merci Mille fois.
Wonderful! ❤️
They might be the most beautiful villages but here in the hauts de Trivy we have been made extra specially welcome and that counts for a lot.
We don’t live in the village, but have the most wonderful views.
We are planning an Alsatian visit this spring. Can you tell me the name of the restaurant in Riquewihr that you loved? Any other dining highlights in the area? Love your blog! Merci Mille fois!
Plus beau village…la Roque Gageac.
Speaking of coffee drinks, I just enjoyed a new one from Peet’s (not sure if this group founded in Berkeley extends outside California?). In fact, I was waiting for someone and had two time for two Golden Lattes, made with tumeric and ginger. Yum!
Goult, bien sur! I cannot believe you did not specify it!! Zut ahlors!!
Adore all your posts, love to keep up with you all! The photo of the three of you was tres belle!
So hard to do when traveling!! Looking forward to seeing you in Provence this summer! xo,a.
Collioure is not shabbly.
These beautiful pictures(and descriptions!)are not only informative,but fill all of us with anticipation to visit these special places!
(PS You ladies really look sharp!)
And!Not to mention,for this (now)arm chair traveller,pleasure to remember such picturesque
places and fun times.
Thank you!
Lynn,I so hope that you and all the readers will enjoy the Lobster Thermador.
Your suggestion for substituting shrimp is a terrific idea!
Not only from the ethical standpoint(I also agree with the Swiss)
but especially because with shrimps’ availability(and cost),it becomes a more often treat rather than just a once in awhile one.
Beautiful photos but it does remind me a little of a Dutch or German village. At least it seems to have that influence. The recipe looks divine, a keeper I’d say. I’m still thinking about that coffee pot you mentioned. Just haven’t decided quite yet on it. Lovely post once again.
Thanks for the Lobster Thermidor recipe. Having lived in New England 20 years ago, I often made similar Lobster Newburg sometimes using a mix of shrimp, scallops and lobster. Lobster Newburg was our traditional Christmas Eve dinner! I could never plunge the knife as mentioned, but in New England I was “taught” to rub the shell of the lobster between the eyes for several minutes – which reportedly “relaxed” the lobster – muscles, I guess – or put it in a trance – and then drop it into the boiling water and I don’t recall any scratching or movement or noise. (maybe that was a lobsterman’s wife’s tale that I swallowed hook line and sinker!) Anyway … Lobster Thermidor or Newburg …Mmmmm!
Now, I want to go to Alsace!