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Life in Paris: La Semaine du Goût

// October 14th, 2009 // General, Restaurants

You would never know it by looking at their women, but the French love to eat. The longer I live in France and Paris in particular, the more I realize how much French life revolves around food. Understanding this and the fact that the French love to celebrate just about every aspect of their culture (heritage, arts, fashion, etc.) helps explain why there’s a week committed entirely to the favorite of the their five senses…taste. Yes, this week is “La Semaine du Goût” or “The Week of Taste,” a week dedicated to appreciating taste and food.

Unlike other food-related weeks around the world (e.g. “Restaurant Week” in New York City), which focuses primarily on giving people deals on restaurants, La Semaine du Goût has pedagogic goals. According to the official website, the goals of La Semaine du Goût are:

1. Provide taste education for consumers
2. Teach the diversity of tastes and flavors
3. Provide transparent information and teaching about products origin, production methods and their specificity
4. Transfer skills and know-how
5. Highlight the pleasure of taste
6. Encourage behavior and food consumption as part of a balanced land sustainable lifestyle

Pretty great goals, if you ask me. Don’t get me wrong, however, La Semaine du Goût is not all about teaching, as there’s plenty of fun to be had. The website provides an extensive list of “Les Tables du Gout” or some of the best restaurants in Paris where France’s most famous cooks prepare their specialties at highly discounted prices for students, residents and visitors alike. Additionally, throughout Paris in schools, culinary institutes and various public spaces there are free cooking classes, taste testing and wine sampling.

It goes without saying but you foodies out there in Paris should make sure to take advantage of this week’s festivities before its over. And to the rest of you around the world, don’t miss out next year. La Semaine du Goût ends on October 18th.