France Let Them Eat Cake

Paris has its share of Michelin-starred restaurants, but Lyon is the true capital of French cuisine, brimming with inventive—and pricey—culinary gems. Though the French hate to admit it, much of their cuisine bears the influence of other nations—tapas sneak onto menus in Biarritz , Swiss tartiflette dominates in the Alps resort of Chamonix , beer and sausages prove Strasbourg’s German influence, and couscous and kebabs in most major metropolises suggest a North African influx. France’s cuisine is also infused with hints of the ocean, thanks to over 3000km of seaside real estate. Whether it’s Atlantic mussels in the port towns of Normandy , bouillabaisse in Marseille , or oysters in Bordeaux , the bounty of the sea never fails to disappoint. Finally, don’t forget France’s most famous exports: mustard from Dijon or olive oil from Provence are excellent ways to bring a piece of France home with you.

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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.