In the Pays de la Loire, the early vegetables from the Nantes valley, in particular the watercress, are fresh and crisp and bursting with flavour.

Did you think that blueberries mostly come from America? Well, the pretty village of La Breille-les-Pins grows acres of blueberries for export and in the same village you can pop along to buy honey at the local apiary. Try the local chicken from Challans or Loué, it is so tender and tasty, it’s free-range and fed exclusively on grain. In Sarthe, the rillettes (shredded pork paté) is eaten with a slice of freshly baked bread, still warm from the oven! And the jambon de Vendée is always a treat whether eaten raw or cooked!

Sam's Scoop

If honey is not to your taste, you can treat your skin with the fabulous honey products. There are royal jelly capsules for your insides and silky soaps, creams and shampoos for your outsides.
For more information: www.miel-girard.com