Gastronomy in Berry

Cycling experiences 27th May 2021

All gourmets know that the Center-Val de Loire region is a hotbed of French gastronomy, rich in varied cuisine, combining refinement, art of living and know-how. Also, like any self-respecting Frenchwoman, it was out of the question for me not to take advantage of my stopover in Châteauroux to discover local specialties. So barely put my foot on the ground, here I am in search of good stores that would present me with the traditional dishes of the area!

First surprise ...

… What we French people from other regions commonly call “Easter pâté” and only eat once a year, has a very different name here!

If history does not tell us how the "berry pâté" became a symbol of the Easter festivities, one thing is certain: it is above all and above all a characteristic dish of Berry, this historic province made up of the Indre and of the Cher! And people quickly explain to me that it is eaten here all year round and for all occasions. It is also not difficult to notice it: it indeed occupies a place of choice in the windows of the bakeries in front of which I stop. Next to it, another famous pastry dish from these regions: the potato pancake. An ideal snack, to be enjoyed hot or cold, with a good glass of white wine from Valençay!

I am also discovering the exceptional virtues of green lentils from Berry, a real little local pride, delicious in salads with goat cheese from Valençay (again, definitely, this AOC knows how to make people talk about it!) Or Pouligny. They also praise me the merits of the carp rillettes from Brenne, a few pedal strokes away. This is precisely my next step thanks to a junction between L'Indre à Vélo and the bike circuits of Brenne. I lick my chops in advance!

In Châteauroux, I appreciate the simplicity of passionate traders who take pleasure in explaining to me all the secrets of their specialties and how to choose them to leave with a little taste memory. TO Aurélie's cheese factory, I stock up on tasty goat cheese, the perfect companion for a next snack on the road! Not far from here, The Organic Grigne and his potato pancakes looked too good on me. We will savor them tonight as an aperitif! Because this afternoon, we treat ourselves to a little pleasure. We were recommended a restaurant whose name may sound more Lyon than Berry, but it seems that Little Stopper we eat a terrine of carp from Brenne, green lentils from Berry and fresh goat cheese from Valençay to die for! I will give you some news !