Each time I visit Clermont Ferrand I promise my friend Claudine I will take pictures to show the city’s potential.

I have a lot of ideas for City Hall and the Office of Tourism to improve the city’s look and appeal to tourists.

I love Clermont’s small size of just 150,000 people, it’s a village compared to New York.

And although the dark volcanic stone of many buildings is not very pretty, nor the industrial outskirts of the city, the city’s center harbors tranquil cafes and old medieval streets that allow you to disconnect from the buzz of a big city.

My French boyfriend is a connoisseur of the local cafes and enjoys them most when he has a chocolate sable from the boulanger.

Spending time hiking and enjoying the surrounding volcanic countryside in Clermont is a given but what may be overlooked is the quantity of galleries and artisans located in the city’s center.

I think the abundance of creativity has something to do with the local cuisine and the continual risk of cold wet weather.

Either way I think this city and its surrounding countryside are worth a visit.

No need to confirm, I’ll be back next year to eat, hike, disconnect and take in the local culture.

Enjoy!

Leslie

My friend Claudine emailed me birthday wishes last week.

In her message she said “Dommage que tu ne sois pas ici, on rentre de chez les Mamies avec plein de bonnes reserves” (It’s a shame you’re not here, we just got back from visiting the Grandmas fully stocked with yummy reserves).

It took all my will not to respond “Wait!!! I’m coming!!! Save some for me!!!” but that would have ruined the Project CS surprise.

As you know the Grandmas are French rock stars when it comes to freshly prepared meals and baked goods laced in butter and lard from Auvergne – Yum!

So not only was I able to surprise and celebrate with Claudine, as you can see, I also enjoyed the bonnes reserves from the Grandmas and Claudine’s own pintade (breast of guinea fowl), it was delicious!

Merci Claud, I’m counting the days until my next visit!

Leslie

A true sign of friendship is when a friend can ask and tell you things you don’t want to hear.  These friends that push and challenge are showing they care.

For nearly two years my friend Mapie had been pushing my friend Claudine to do something special for her 40th birthday.

I sat through many conversations of serious lobbying but Claudine wanted nothing to do with the idea.  As a Virgo, I just wanted a date.

As Claudine’s birthday got closer Mapie stopped bugging her and Claudine was relieved that Mapie had let go of the idea… Not really.

Top Secret Project CS (Claudine Saccard) was launched in June.  A surprise party that Mapie would organize with Claudine’s partner Richard, her close friend Michelle, Jean and twenty more close friends and family.

I was told about the project during my June vacation and after some debating couldn’t resist being in on the surprise.

There was some concern that Claudine would be not be happy about the surprise – but worth the risk.

As you can see from the pictures and the video mission accomplished.

Happy Birthday Claud!!!!!

Bises!!!

Les

PS:  If you missed the party enjoy a few more photos below.

The region of Auvergne in South Central France is the least populated region in all of France.  The weather is totally unpredictable and for a long time my friend Richard joked “Of course the weather is bad, Leslie is here.”, initially I believed him.

Even with unpredictable weather, I’m still a fan.  Auvergne is famous for Cantal, Saint Nectaire and blue d’Auvergne cheese…Yum!  The region probably has more cows and goats than people and is home to Les Chaines des Puys, the oldest geological mountain range in France.

The area is also part of France’s largest national park, the Parc Naturel Regional des Volcans d’Auvergne, and is a destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

At 1,465meters tall, Le Puy de Dome is the highest of the dormant volcanos in the area with extraordinary panoramic views.  With it’s large antenna the mountain is a landmark for the region and in the past could easily be viewed on the label of Volvic Water which comes from the region.

You can’t visit this region without visiting the Puy de Dome but as rain, snow, wind or fog can quickly leave you in a precarious situation you hesitate before committing to a hike.  But last year clear weather allowed Claudine and I to hike the Puy de Pariou, a massive grass filled crater with incredible views of the region and the neighboring Puy de Dome.  It is one of the most impressive landscapes in all of France.

And this year was monumental because after ten years of visits to Clermont Ferrand I finally visited the summit of the Puy de Dome.  It’s not a long hike but the ascent is a killer because the climb is steep but the views at the top are well worth the pain.

If Claudine and I are lucky and mother nature cooperates our next girls weekend will come to a close with another hike in this beautiful region.

Enjoy!

Leslie

PS:  The picture with no watermark was taken last year from the Puy de Pariou.

Visiting my French boyfriend and my new love (la boulanger) are not the only reasons I visit Clermont Ferrand each year.

I love Claudine’s French kitchen and the weekly deliveries of freshly prepared food from her mother-in-law Mamie Nicole (Grandma Nicole).

Mamie Nicole is a rock star!  She will be turning 80 this year and she still prepares home cooked meals daily with fresh ingredients from her garden.

Her carrots, peas, and baby potatoes are amazing. They are sweet yet savory and are probably prepared in best quality lard and butter Auvergne has to offer.  Julia Child would be proud.

I like to think Mamie Nicole likes me too because when Claud and I return from the girls weekend I verify with Richard the size of the weeks delivery.  Extra-large!

For le petit déjeuner et le goûter (breakfast and afternoon snacks) Mamie Nicole sends delicious buttery Madeleines from her local boulanger but Mamie Morissette (Grandma Morissette), who is also a rock star, has these meals covered with fresh baked cookies that Claudine stores by the truckload in her freezer.

I don’t know what’s in those cookies (possibly something from the local pharmacy) but there is no stopping at one.  And although I couldn’t tell you how many I eat, I will admit that the tin is usually empty the day Claudine brings me back to the airport.

I’ve been lobby for overnight delivery to NY for a while.  Mamie Nicole and Mamie Morissette would make a killing (who wouldn’t want Grandma Direct?!?!).   But even with overnight delivery of the Grandma’s’ goodies I can’t imagine a year that I don’t visit Clermont.

It’s not the place or the food it’s the people.  See you next year Claud!

Leslie