Trifter

SECRET FRANCE.

FRANCHE-Comte, which lies close to the Swiss Border, is a region of France that is largely neglected by British tourists.  This factor alone makes it well worth visiting.  Many of its houses a wooden chalet-type buildings.

It is a great area for food (especially cheeses) and drink.  The district’s big cheeses is Comte, often referred to as Mr Comte.  It is an unpasteurised cream coloured hard cheese with a nutty sweet taste.

A visit to Saint Antoine Maturing Cheese Cellar, a former army depot is really worthwhile. You are able to see rows of 65,00 wheels of Comte at various stages of maturation.

The Restaurant du Fromage in Malbuisson produces speciality cheese dishes.  One is a comfort food, Foudue Tartiflette, a mixture of cheese, potatoes, bacon and cream.

Monsieur Hirstinger in Arbois is a fourth generation chocolate maker and has won the Best Chocolatier in France Award.  He runs the Edouard Hirstinger Chocolate Museum.

Wine tasting sessions are held in Pecauld Castle and the Emile Pernot Absinthe Distillery  produces absinthe or the legendary Green Fairy.  They are currently working on a distillation mixed with pine liqueur, which the believe will match the English taste.

Chez Les Colin, once a century old customs house is now an accommodation centre deep in the pine forest.  Each bedroom has an individual theme, though guests have to share sauna shower and toilet facilities in the corridor.