French gastronomy is on the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List
According to RFI (Radio France Internationale), during the Heritage Days in many parts of France you can go behind the scenes of haute cuisine, take guided tours of vineyards, taste wines and champagne, and visit the Museum of Cheese and Culinary Arts.
If you find yourself in Strasbourg, in eastern France, this weekend, you can take a themed guided tour: "Strasbourg's restaurants have their history." In the city of Bordeaux in the southwest, the famous restaurant Le Chapon Fin, which has three Michelin stars (the highest rating in the gastronomic guide), opens the doors of its haute cuisine to visitors. It was created in 1825, and in the 20th century became one of the most prestigious establishments in the city and its surroundings.
In Paris, near the Place de la Bastille, you can visit one of the oldest brasseries in the capital, which opened its doors in 1864. Brasserie Bofinger became the first French establishment to serve draft beer at the end of the 19th century. Its façades are oak, and the urinals are decorated with dolphin sculptures. It is one of filmmaker Woody Allen's favorite places in Paris.
You can learn how beer is made in France by visiting Brasserie Dumesnil, which opened in 1956 in the town of Ivry, in the Paris region. Here they will show you the cellars and equipment used to produce this alcoholic beverage.
As part of the Heritage Days, you can also visit museums dedicated to food. In the Norman town of Vimoutiers, the Camembert Cheese Museum opens its doors. Here you will see all the stages of its production, and you can also taste the cheese with a glass of local cider. In the Waffle Museum, located in the northern town of Houplin, they will show you how traditional Flemish treats are cooked in coal ovens. There is also a unique collection of waffle irons.
And finally, you can immerse yourself in the history of France's gastronomic heritage by visiting the Museum of the Culinary Guide of Auguste Escoffier. It is located in his hometown of Villeneuve-Loubet. Here, a wealth of documents on culinary art is gathered, a collection of 1500 modern and old menus, various utensils, and a large library dedicated to gastronomy.