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Post by gracejoan on Feb 19, 2008 12:58:13 GMT -5
I just saw this on e-gullet.... February 23-March 2 SALON D'AGRICULTURE Once again, it’s that time of year when agriculturalists from all over France come to Paris to show off their ware. Cows, sheep, goats, horses, and pigs are brought to the Capital from every area of the country to participate in this prestigious competition. In addition to the impressive array of animals, you will also find artisanal products from every region in France. During the “Concours Général Agricole, medals are given for the best wines, fruit juices, ciders, eaux de vie, rum, beer, olive oil, honey, chickens, guinea fowl, rabbits, foie gras, smoked trout, oysters, piment d’ Espelette, and vanilla, to name a few. There is a separate competition for dairy products and cheese (24-27 February, open to professionals only) . This is an impressive salon, that shouldn’t be missed if you are in France. February 23-March 2, 9am-7pm daily, Friday February 29 until 11pm. Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles, Paris 15th. Metro : Porte de Versailles, Balard. Tariff :12 € www.salon-agriculture.comwww.salon-fromage.com -------------------- |
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Post by Anne on Feb 19, 2008 13:45:00 GMT -5
Salon de l'Agriculture is a hugely popular event . Never go there during the week-ends because it is absolutely packed with Parisian families showing "real living animals" to their children  . |
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aude
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Post by aude on Feb 19, 2008 14:53:31 GMT -5
I love the Salon d'Agriculture! It is tons of fun for anyone who has visited Paris enough times to have done all the A-list sites and is ready to venture out into new territory. One of the huge exposition halls is organized according to the regions of France. Local products are featured in each booth, and some are run by moms-and-pops who are very friendly and eager to show their wares. We bought wonderful artisanal products like cassis vinegar, a fig aperitif, cognac and lots more. The animals, including many varieties of beautiful sheep, are in another huge hall, and it's fun to breeze through there, too. One woman had gorgeous yarn for sale that was spun from the sheep who were standing right there. How cool is that?! I even specially scheduled one of my trips to coincide with this event. I'm a big fan!
While I'm sure the weekend is much more crowded, we've been on Friday evenings a couple of times without much hassle.
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Post by Happygoin on Feb 19, 2008 16:01:19 GMT -5
Boy...this sounds worthy of planning a trip to Paris for.
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Post by Darcy on Feb 19, 2008 20:55:38 GMT -5
It certainly does!  |
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Post by phread on Feb 20, 2008 12:45:31 GMT -5
It is amazing. I watched a cattle auction that featured elephantine-sized cows!!!
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Post by gracejoan on Feb 20, 2008 13:55:26 GMT -5
Phread,
I would think your girls would really enjoy this!!
I would most certainly go, if I were there!!
Another very good place is the horse museum at Chanitlly. I was impressed with some of what they had. I have been involved with horses most of my life, and found it well done.
I have also found that a great many people do not go into the long buildings, when at Vaux-le-Vicomte, to see their very fine collection of carriages.
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Post by susanb on Feb 20, 2008 17:53:58 GMT -5
It sounds like the state fair every state in the U.S. has every summer. Not in the streets.We have state fair grounds. But they show the animals they've raised, the vegetables they've "put-up" and every part of agriculture they can learn in the year. It is fun. And also the hardship, sometimes, those first animals not only get a ribbon, they get SOLD!!! Susan  |
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aude
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Post by aude on Feb 20, 2008 19:02:24 GMT -5
We also picked up a bunch of brochures and maps, with info and directions for getting to groves/orchards/dairies/farms/vineyards all around France. Maybe someday!
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Post by phread on Feb 21, 2008 3:12:34 GMT -5
gracejoans, all of the local kids go with their elementary school classes each year, so my girls have seen much more of the salon than I have. In fact I've only been once and that was as a chaperone!
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Post by susanb on Feb 21, 2008 3:48:08 GMT -5
phread. THAT would be very interesting!!
Susan
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Post by Truffaut on Feb 21, 2008 11:02:55 GMT -5
I've just about convinced G that it's worthwhile to go look at French cows on Saturday. I was helped along by the enormous advertising picture of a cow on the back of a city bus today Our winter visits have never overlapped with the Salon, and I think it would be rather interesting. |
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Post by sistereurope on Feb 21, 2008 11:32:43 GMT -5
Just be careful! Seeing those cows up close and personal might put you off eating beef cheeks for good...  |
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aude
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Post by aude on Feb 21, 2008 17:04:28 GMT -5
Go for it!!! What could be better on a Saturday afternoon than adventures with farm animals?! Our favorites were the gorgeous sheep. We were standing in front of a mama and baby sheep admiring their adorable-ness when the mama opened her mouth, stuck out her tongue, and let out an enormously loud deep gutteral sounding "BAAAAAAAAH" that made us jump out of our skins! Such a disconnect from my expectations -- I imagined those long-lashed blinking eyes would be accompanied by a shy little "Baa." Guess we haven't spent much time on the farm.
Anyhow, hope you'll go, have fun, and tell us all about it.
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Post by geordy on Feb 21, 2008 18:49:12 GMT -5
I can see how it could be a tough sell with everything else but I'd give it a go!! I'm sure they have samples in some of those food booths, no? But beware as Sis says those soulful cow eyes....they really do have nice(and tasty  ) faces! Did not Jacques Chirac go every year to "get back to his Farm roots" and for photo ops? |
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Post by phread on Feb 23, 2008 12:01:32 GMT -5
geordy, all of the politicians go every year. This is a VERY important event in France. In fact, today, at the inauguration, Sarko suggested that French cuisine should be named a UNESCO heritage monument-like-thingy.
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Post by phread on Feb 23, 2008 12:05:12 GMT -5
As for the cows. Well, the eyes were not what stuck with me, but rather the professional "wipers" they each had before show time in the arena, each using yards and yards of paper towels to clean those rather large hind quarters. And just as the guy would finish the wipe it never seemed to fail that the cow would just make another pie. Made me very happy that I wasn't the one mopping up the joint each night!
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Post by gracejoan on Feb 27, 2008 5:29:22 GMT -5
I just copied this from e-gullet.....anyone in Paris at the time may wish to go.... Our very own Ptipois, who is without a doubt the most knowledgeable person I know regarding food culture and history—French and otherwise-, will be at the Salon d'Agriculture this Friday giving a cooking demonstration using cheese from the Auvergne region of France. Recipes include Crème de Saint-Nectaire fermier, royales à la fourme d’Ambert Tuiles sablées au Cantal vieux Paquets de chou au Cantal jeune Friday 29 February, 10am-1pm Hall 7-2 Stand 8 allée C Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles, Paris 15th. Metro : Porte de Versailles, Balard. For more information: www.fromages-aoc-auvergne.comwww.fromages-aoc-auvergne.com/Chez-Ptipois |
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Post by geordy on Feb 27, 2008 9:26:29 GMT -5
9:30 in the morning and now I'm dying for a good hunk of cheese! Now I'm going to eat my cream cheese and green pepper half sandwich for breakfast.  |
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Post by Laura NY (aoi33) on Mar 7, 2008 15:00:17 GMT -5
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.
) faces!
hahahha