Emily in France 🇫🇷 Les Grandes Vacances

Les grandes vacances are no joke in France.

The French take their vacation very seriously. And as a lover of all things summer, I'm always thrilled with how naturally everything sort of slows down in July, paving the way for an August that resembles childhood summers: responsibilities pared back; nothing to do, no errands to run (everything's closed, anyway.) 

My August plans?

1. Read more books.
2. See more people I love.
3. Continue eating all of the tomatoes, peaches, and watermelon, wherever I go.

What I'm Eating

This vegetarian smoked watermelon and red pepper "tartare" from Robert – a restaurant that has long been a show-stopper in my book.

Discover more of my foodie finds via Instagram @emily_in_france.
 

What I'm Writing

1. This hyper-sustainable DC restaurant is mid-Atlantic local done right. (Featuring: sea salt that tastes like summer at the Jersey Shore). For the Inside Hook.
  2. From the archives: Ratatouille is governed by a long, purist tradition in Provence, which notably denies the dish in the Disney film of the same name can actually be called ratatouille. For the BBC.

3. From the archives: Drinking water is more important than ever if you're living in a warm-weather clime, but you can also get some of your water from produce. Here are some of the best hydrating fruits and veggies. For Organic Authority.

What I'm Reading

1. This book about the power of small choices made a huge impact on me and quickly catapulted to the top of my 2021 top reads list. More on the blog.

2. America is governed, not by two political parties, but by four distinct factions, according to this long, dense, and impactful read from the Atlantic.

3. My friend Janet's book, The Paris Library, immediately topped the NYT bestseller's list when it was released earlier this year. She delves into the inspiration for her tale of French librarians in the Resistance for LitHub.

A bientôt !

Emily in France