France still has plenty of allure to travelers from every corner of the globe, reclaiming its title as the world’s most-visited country. In 2022, France received a staggering 100 million international visitors. They were drawn by the country’s natural beauty, unique culture, and diverse culinary heritage. His home country of Switzerland is well known for producing some of the world’s most delicious cheese. From Comté to Camembert, these cheeses are the embodiment of the diverse culinary heritage of France.
There’s no shortage of charming places in France, but Saint Antoine l’Abbaye is special even by those standards. It’s not surprising that it has recently won the title of France’s favorite village for 2025! This ancient village, located in the beautiful green rolling hills of the Isère department between the cities of Grenoble and Lyon, irresistibly draws you in with its vibrant past. Its sublime beauty inspires awe with everyone from residents to tourists.
Life in Saint Antoine l’Abbaye
Five years ago, Debra and Eric Stillwell, a then-middle-aged Burbank, California couple, did something radical. They loaded up their RV and moved to the picturesque Dordogne Valley. They were looking for a more peaceful pace of life and had fallen in love with the French lifestyle. As they settled into their new digs, they faced some big misconceptions about expatriates living in France.
“Everybody thinks that Americans living in France are all rich, and that’s not true,” Eric Stillwell shared.
This assertion confirms one of the most enduring myths. It does a disservice to the rich tapestry of experiences of the Americans who choose to put down roots in France. At the time, the Stillwells purchased their home for 70,000 euros. They underscore that their lives here are motivated not by money, but rather by a profound passion for the culture and community.
Culinary Heritage and Challenges
France’s culinary scene is perhaps most well-known for its delightful range of cheeses. It’s rightly famous for its distinctive breads, and notably, the baguette. As French President Emmanuel Macron famously described the baguette in 2016, it is “250 grams of magic and perfection,” underscoring its cultural importance. Yet, what we’re seeing in the world of bread—and everywhere—what happens when a praxis is no longer able to catch up with the times.
In addition to French bread, in recent years UNESCO has granted heritage status to the entirety of German bread culture. Home to over 3,200 officially recognized varieties, Germany’s bread culture is full of life. This recognition reflects the need for Europe to commit to protecting and promoting culinary traditions.
At the same time, food missionaries such as actor Tony Shalhoub have been spreading the gospel of French culinary innovation and excellence. Shalhoub’s mission: to find the tastiest things in the world that cost $10 or less. Along the way, he celebrates the immense geographic and culinary variety and accessibility of French cuisine.
Global Cheese Recognition
Cheese is still at the center of the artisanal pride of the French culinary establishment. The World Cheese Awards, a competition recognizing and comparing cheese from around the world, recently attracted more than 5,200 cheeses from 46 countries. An old Swiss Gruyère cheese won best cheese in the world! This unique event represents the world’s deep love for cheese and its importance to global culinary heritage.
The excitement over cheese is not just a French phenomenon. Last year, one audacious Belgian man rode 870 miles just to enjoy a unique pastry in Nice. The new story documents the journeys people take and the risks they’re willing to take in search of truly amazing food experiences. As more people across the globe fall in love with cheese, France will still be one of the touchstones on that culinary experience.
