Watch The Flavors of France

Once just a small fishing port on the French Riviera today St. Tropez, has become a favourite haunt for artists, jet-setters and dream seekers from all over the world. When we went looking we found a charming little sea port whose gracious hard-working people had retained the traditions and values of their down-to-earth forefathers. The people of St. Tropez have retained their folklore traditions.

This show visits Gap, capital of the Department of Haute-Alpes/Provence, a town of tranquil pastel coloured facades set against a spectacular backdrop of mountains. This is an agricultural district and farm produce is exceptional. One of the local favourites is artichoke, and we present a simple but delicious recipe by a top local chef. We stop briefly in Avignon, city of the Popes.

The influence of the Roman empire can be seen almost everywhere, in Rhone Alps, however particularly so in Lyon and Vienne which were the main cities at the time. This region is characterised by dramatic mountains, some snow capped all year round, superb lakes and alpine meadows. Anywhere you go in RHONE ALPS the food, the wine and the cheese are all outstanding.

Languedoc takes its name from the old provencal language of lenga d'

The Haute Pyrenees district of Languedoc-Roussillon was ruled for centuries by the Spanish House of Aragon but in the 17th Century joined the Catalans in joining France. We look at the settings and many elements of the districts Catalonian past reflected in its costume and kitchen. This is particularly so in Collioure, a quaint fishing village not far from the border of Spain.

The Department of L'Aude set in the foothills of the Pyrenees is the location of Carcassonne, generally considered to be the finest example of a fortified medieval city in Europe. It is a feature of this show, one of the district's speciality dishes is (lamb) kidney salad. We look at the agricultural activities and visit Castelnaudary which claims to be the world's capital of cassoulet.

Vienne was once a large Roman town, and later an important centre for the church. Each July, since 1977, the Roman amiptheatre situated high on a hill resounds to the sounds of what has become the biggest Jazz festival in France. That's a feature of this show. On the outskirts of Vienne are two separate companies which work together to produce specialised fabrics and accessories.

The Cote d'Azur, as the French Riviera is known in France, stretches from Marseille to Menton on the Italian border. It offers an incredible variety of breathtaking coastal scenery and one fashionable resort after another. This region is a feature of the show. Just north of Cannes is the famous potters town of Vallauris where Pablo Picasso worked between 1947 and 1973.

Once the administrative centre of all of Gaul, the city of Arles still remains impressive relics of its Roman and Medieval past. The 'Arles' name was derived because of the character of the entire surrounding area, once an enormous flat salty swamp land, today an agricultural and grazing area known as "The Camargue". The olive tree is widely grown throughout Provence.

The magic word that conjures up images and romance, excitement, art and fashion is of course Paris. Symbol of the French capital is the Eiffel Tower, now over one hundred years old from where we take a bird's eye view of Paris and a special celebration. We float on down to the Seine and visit a famous fashion house. Also a visit to a famous military hospital 'Hotel des Invalides.'

A bustling seaport and popular seaside resort on the west coast of Corsica, Ajaccio was the birth place of France's greatest soldier, Napoleon Bonaparte in 1769. Visitors come to this district to enjoy the still, unspoilt, natural environment, and the authentic French provincial lifestyle. Napoleon was particularly fond of Corsican wines and is said to have had a bottle of Patrimon on his table.

Avignon is rich in monuments, art and architecture, and stages an annual festival of theatre, dance and music. It all began when the French Pope Clement V moved the Papal seat from Rome to Avignon in 1309. Subsequently the town was transformed with splendid palaces, elegant residences and monuments. Undoubtedly the most outstanding example of this era which has remained intact is the Pope's palace

This show is set in the highlands and alpine district of Provence. An area of gently rolling slopes, fragrant with wild flowers and aromatic herbs. Savoury pancakes are a speciality here called 'Tourtons' and we present a traditional recipe. A feature performance by a traditional folk group, and a visit to the pottery making Artisans of Moustiers.

France's oldest and third largest city is Marseille. Always an ethnic crossroads, today Marseille reflects a cosmopolitan personality, something which is still particularly evident in and around the streets of the old port district. In this show we visit a workshop of artisans which produces an incredible number of miniature figurines called 'Santons'.

A well preserved medieval town dating back almost entirely from the 15th and 16th centuries. The church is even older and the entire town is fortified. This fabulously restored town is so authentic many movies have been filmed there including 'The Three Musketeers'. We see where honey is commercially farmed in the region and watch the process.

One of France's most important wine producing areas. We visit some of the family owned vineyards and the tidy villages surrounding them. Sites include Beaujolais Crus, the Duboef Winery, Chateau de Corcelles and the region's largest, Brolully, 3000 acres of vines at the foot of Mount Bruilly. Recipes include: Frog Legs in Butter, Cervelas Pistachi en Ravigotti de Lentille and more.