Calling all foodies and Francophiles! If you fancy a French road trip this summer without stepping foot out the house, this one’s for you. Part travelogue, part food memoir, One More Croissant for the Road follows ‘the nation’s taster in chief’ Felicity Cloake as she embarks on an epic gastronomic adventure.
Cycling 2,300km across France, the food columnist and cookbook author plots herself a 21 ‘stages’ voyage in search of culinary perfection, from moules marinières in Normandy to cassoulet in Carcassonne and madeleines in Commercy. Of course, between savouring the crème de la crème of French dishes, Felicity is on a quest to find the perfect croissant, rating each one according to her strict scoring system. A cycling trip fuelled by pastries? Now that’s a Tour de France I can get behind.
While any book with ‘croissant’ in the title gets a guaranteed five stars from me, this book (buttery goodness aside) is a brilliant blend of French living and British humour. The author’s adventurous spirit and joie de vivre make it a particularly wholesome read.
One More Croissant for the Road is joyful, entertaining, and (surprisingly) informative. The scattered ‘Pause-Café’ sections provide quick bites of helpful French-related tips (from ordering coffee to navigating the train system), and a little bit of history is sprinkled in for good measure. Every chapter features a detailed recipe for each classic regional dish (although I admit I’ve yet to try them out) and – naturally – a summary of the distance cycled and number of croissants eaten.
I’m by no means an avid cyclist, but this book had me ready to get on my bike and head across the Channel. Although thanks to the author’s descriptive writing, I feel like I’ve toured France with her. She candidly shares the highs and lows of her two-wheeled adventure, keeping the mood light-hearted and cheerful despite the setbacks she faces along the way. Felicity quickly became my new favourite travel companion, and I’m so pleased she took us along for the ride.
If you’re looking for some escapism this summer, I recommend getting yourself a copy. The book really is a culmination of Felicity’s rigorous and thorough investigative work on behalf of all our taste buds. Now excuse me while I go find a croissant.
