The arrival of spring is welcome news – even if means fewer fondues. Bowls of warm cheese have helped us get through many a cold winter’s evening in Lille.
Before moving here, I hadn’t realised fondues were such a big thing in France.
In the UK, they’re very retro. They were popular in the 1970s and then enjoyed a comeback in the 1990s as people rediscovered flares, Boney M and Abigail’s Party.
Which makes them overdue for a comeback, surely?
I hope so, because we’ll definitely have fondues on the menu when we open our cheese-and-wine business. Hopefully, locals and tourists alike will love them.
Fondues were actually one of the things that helped us settle into life in Lille. On Damon’s first weekend here, we found a restaurant called Le Broc devoted entirely to cheese.
The restaurant is so popular, there are two branches in the city. One is just the other side of Place de la République from our flat, so that’s the one we go to.
Of the many fondues they offer, we especially love la Parisienne (Cantal, Comté, Emmental, ham and white mushrooms) and la Forestière (Cantal, Comté, Beaufort, girolles, ceps and white mushrooms).
But there are plenty of other cheese-themed dishes to choose from too. From tartiflette to baked Camembert, from cheeseburgers to various cheese salads…
You can also get un Welsh, the French version of Welsh rarebit. It’s considered a northern French delicacy – though, believe me, there’s nothing delicate about it.
“Un Welsh, the French version of Welsh rarebit, is considered a northern French delicacy – though there’s nothing delicate about it”
My surname is Welch, which I pronounce as though the c were an s. The staff at Le Broc find it hilarious.
“Ah, Monsieur Welch. Vous désirez un Welsh ce soir… ?”
I laugh along with them. After all, they treat us very well – we always get the best table and a digestif, which helps to break up all the cheese we have just consumed.
So, it’s a shame spring is here and fondue is off my personal menu for the time being. Roll on autumn!
I love cheese but prefer raclette to fondue. Heresy in Switzerland where they enjoy fondue all year long — even in August by the lake in Geneva!
LikeLiked by 1 person
In August?! Count me out. I’ll wait till autumn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Do they say…Bore da …as well.. if not why not… get into the spirit I say…. arrgghhhh… methinks though you could put a ‘weich’ ….on the menu… as a speciality of la Maison …. perhaps with a leetle twist…. some chilli.. hot stuff like yerself…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha! Now there’s a thought.
LikeLike
I love fondue
LikeLiked by 1 person
In which case. I might have some news in the coming weeks that will make you happy… Watch this space.
LikeLike
I prefer raclette we do it often change lighter in fall heavier in winter. Tried fondue but not on my list…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Visiting Switzerland soon, so fondue is still on our list – but we’ll wait til we’re up in the mountains!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds the ideal place to have it!
LikeLike
I’m still digesting the last fondue we ate (in 2012) but those at Le Broc do sound rather tempting…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a great post Graham. I love fondue – but here in Oz it is considered beyond retro. So…I only eat it in France. Which is probably a good thing…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beyond retro? Yes, I know what you mean. Oh well, another excuse to come to France…
LikeLike