266595 Thu Aug 11 11:30:54 -0700 2005 6 26 International 0 1406108 My family is coming from Russia for the first-ever trip to France. We will spend a week in Le Cap D'Agde (Languedoc-Rossillion): any recommendations for good authentic places around there that are not expensive? I will then drive around Western France for a week and am completely open as to the towns, vineyards and restaurants to sample. Please give me your recommendations! Thank you. Thu Aug 11 11:30:54 -0700 2005 0 Elena 1 1406114 For your first-ever trip to France, how can you skip PARIS??? I seriously recommend that you reconsider your priorities. That said, if you are determined to go the southwest, I can recommend the Dordogne. Beautiful contryside, good, hearty food. In our experience, the expensive restaurants (such as Cro Magnon in Les Eyzies) serve only more expensive versions of the basics -- duck confit, foie gras, etc. We had very good meals in small, family-run restaurants that we found in nearly every town. -PK Thu Aug 11 13:12:40 -0700 2005 1406108 0 PK 2 1406118 Oh no, I am showing Paris to them - I just needed tips on rural wineries and restaurants. Thank you! Thu Aug 11 14:21:33 -0700 2005 1406114 0 Elena 1 1406125 The key to successful chowhounding in rural France is to have 2-3 guidebooks that you trust, and cross-correlate them judiciously. Start with the Guide du Routard and the Bottin Gourmand. In the Southwest, think about the Lot and the wineries around Cahors (Chateau Lagrezette for example). They are finally starting to make good American-style wines there: strong and fruity but not needing 15 years in the bottle to be drinkable. Also consider some of the outstanding sweet wines: Pacherenc, Gaillac Doux, etc. Prices are very reasonable. Thu Aug 11 16:05:50 -0700 2005 1406108 0 Moshulu 1 1406134 The town of Agde has a stupendous market. Ten years ago it met on Thursday mornings but you might want to check to make sure that's still the day. The market is vast and has a very large food section where farmers bring cheeses, honey, and delights of their own manufacture. It disappears abruptly after midday so get there early. Thu Aug 11 20:04:04 -0700 2005 1406108 0 N Tocus 1 1406162 We recently returned from Belcastel not too far from Rodez. Besides being an absolutely beautiful and charming village, there's a restaurant called Hotel Restaurant du Vieux Pont which is said to have great food (it's earned 1 Michelin star). I know it drives some CHs nuts when you recommend a place that you haven't been to but, it's not like we didn't try. Unfortunately we couldn't get a reservation during the brief time we were there. Nevertheless, we did manage to have a delightdul dinner at the only other reataurant in the village. It's located a couple doors to the left if you're facing the HRVP. If you end up at the place we ended up eating at, I would recommend the croustillant de chevre, the perche, whatever they call that intense chocolate torte of theirs and, after dinner, their locally made plum liqueur. Fri Aug 12 15:30:30 -0700 2005 1406108 0 SAJ 1 1406398 If you are near the town of Agen, do not miss MARIOTTAT, 25 rue Louis Vivent, Tel 05.53.77.99.77. I had one of the best meals in France there last September, although I do not believe it has a star. It is owned by a husband wife team who have done a fantastic job with their restaurant, which occupies the site of an old convent. I ate there alone and was treated very well. The five or six course prix fix menu that evening was based entirely on the output of the chef's heirloom tomato garden. While I was initially hesitant to get an entire dinner based on tomatoes, it turned out to be one of the most delightful meals I've ever had, right down to an amazing tomato dessert and sorbet. They offered many local wines at rediculously low prices that paired very well with the food. I think I spent 125 euros, including a kir royale, a split of a local white, and a pruneax liqueur with dessert. It was well worth it and I would definitely seek them out again. Wed Aug 24 13:13:11 -0700 2005 1406108 0 Ellen