For sparkling beaches, sapphire-blue waves, lilting palm trees, emerald hills and the scent of seafood hanging on the breeze, come to Sri Lanka.
29.09.2023 - 09:35 / nytimes.com / Emmanuel Macron
Most mornings, around 6:30, Tharshan Selvarajah arrives at the Élysée Palace, seat of the French presidency, and unloads around 30 baguettes into the security scanner.
The bread that is synonymous with France is sacred, but not to the point that it can pass unverified into President Emmanuel Macron’s mouth.
Nor is the baguette, in its highest expression, the exclusive domain of French bakers. Mr. Selvarajah is a Sri Lankan immigrant who has lived in France for 17 years but not yet applied for French citizenship, even as his bread has reached the summit of Gallic gustatory acclaim.
This year France marked the 30th anniversary of the “Grand Prize of the Traditional French Baguette,” organized by the Paris City Hall. Mr. Selvarajah, 37, an intense bearded man with a fierce work ethic, won, with his creation edging out 126 other baguettes.
His prize? The honor, for the next year, of delivering those baguettes to Mr. Macron and his staff. He also received some $4,250. The baker’s notoriety is now such that long lines form outside his boulangerie, Au Levain des Pyrénées, on the fringes of eastern Paris.
One Saturday morning, Mr. Selvarajah explained what made his bread special. Seated in a nearby cafe, he held up his hands.
“God gave us all different hands,” he said.
A smile broke across his face. “My mother’s chicken curry and my wife’s chicken curry may use the same chicken but they do not taste the same,” he said. “God gave me the hands to make the best baguette in France! I am never angry with the flour as I knead the dough.”
A “baguette de tradition,” or traditional baguette, is made from flour, water, salt and yeast. Period. Sounds simple, and on one level it is. Yet so much depends on the perfect baguette and the perfect baguette is elusive.
A crunchy deep golden crust must encase a fluffy, slightly salty interior, punctuated with the small air sacs, known as alveoli, that produce a mildly chewy consistency. Appearance, taste, texture and smell must find a delicate harmony.
This requires hard work. Mr. Selvarajah was a little irritated because his store assistants had not appeared. Always, he said, there’s some excuse. He works six days a week, up to 10 hours a day, and thinks such industry — typical of immigrants trying to get a toehold in a new land — may explain why several winners of the baguette prize over the past decade have been of Tunisian or Senegalese descent.
The competition itself is anonymous. “Baguettes are numbered after being deposited by candidates, then touched, smelled and tasted by a jury of experts,” Olivia Polski, the senior City Hall official who oversees the contest, said in an emailed response to questions. The best baguette, she suggested, should be “well-baked, light and
For sparkling beaches, sapphire-blue waves, lilting palm trees, emerald hills and the scent of seafood hanging on the breeze, come to Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka may be known as the teardrop isle (due to its distinctive shape), but the country’s refreshingly straightforward visa system shouldn’t be a source of too much anguish for travelers.
Sri Lanka may only be small, but thanks to its jungle-clad mountains, golden sandy beaches, abundant wildlife in their natural habitats, and spice-laden cuisines, the island nation ensures visitors are never bored.
Floating in tropical waters off the southern tip of India, Sri Lanka is defined by its gentle Buddhist culture, friendly people and laid-back way of life, despite its troubled recent history.
A major rail route connecting France and Italy looks set to remain out of use until summer 2024. It was forced to close following a landslide this August.
On the tracks of a railway depot in northern France, a steam locomotive puffs out smoke as if it just took a drag. An engineer and two apprentices stand inside its teal-colored cab wearing dark clothing and gloves. It’s hard to make out their faces under the glare of the midmorning sun. They’ve been warming up the engine for three hours and are ready to roll out.
The French Riviera is the strip of the Mediterranean coast that stretches from the town of Hyères to Menton, and the jewel in the crown that is the Azure Coast is the city of Nice. Famous for its sunshine, lively markets, colorful buildings, lovely beaches, and for being a celebrity magnet, Nice is also a good base for visiting the region. From there, you can take a quick train to Monaco, Cannes, or a longer trip to very chic St. Tropez. To make your trip to the Mediterranean a vacation to remember, book one of the best hotels in Nice, France, some of which have views and decors that will blow your socks off.
Nice is one of the most popular holiday destinations on the French Riviera. The Côte d’Azur city lies on the Baie des Anges, 20 miles from the Italian border. This means not only can you cross the border for a day trip, but Nice also has a distinct hybrid culture of French and Italian influence. It has a pleasant year-round climate and is the second-largest French city on the Mediterranean coast. It is also home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe and a charming Old Town with quaint streets lined with colorful buildings, shops, and galleries. The gritty, yet opulent city has attracted many famous artists over the years and is a haven for foodies.
Air France turns 90 on October 7 this year, and the airline is celebrating with fashion exhibits, celebrations of French culture, vintage goods, and flight promotions.
Cruise ship passengers had a rude welcome to France yesterday (8 October) as environmental protesters gathered to condemn their choice of travel.
A “widespread” increase of bedbugs has been reported in the French capital, prompting the government to pledge measures to “reassure and protect” the people. Clement Beaune, the French minister of transport, has said that he will hold a meeting this week to “take additional measures” to safeguard the public from the alleged increase in the number of insects.
When it comes to flying in business class, no one does it quite like Air France. Known for their Francophile food options—which begin from the moment you step into their lounges, stocked with petite macarons, croque madames, and classic French cocktails, such as the Kir Royal—amenity kits with products from French brand Clarins, and impeccable service, a flight with the airline is like getting a little slice of la vie française. Although already an excellent experience, this past summer, the airline began rolling out updated business-class cabins, starting with flights from Paris to New York City. But things just got even better: This month, Air France is offering travelers the chance to win a pair of free tickets to experience their business-class offering for themselves.