Explores French culinary tradition. Beginning with a diary of the author's trip and then divided into 6 chapters, with recipes at the back, this book is illustrated throughout with food and location shots. With over 100 recipes, the author's gastro-tour will motivate every reader to try French cooking again and again.

Rick Stein embarks on a journey of gastronomic discovery from Padstow to Bordeaux and then to Marseille. The book is divided into a diary section and recipe chapters. Featuring starters, light lunches, main courses and desserts, the recipes include authentic versions of French classics - Vichyssoise, Pissaladiere, Bouillabasse, Cassoulet and Tarte Tatin - as well as new takes on traditional ingredients: Seared Foie Gras on Sweetcorn Pancakes, Fillets of John Dory with Cucumber and Noilly Prat, Rabbit with Agen Prunes and Polenta and Prune and Almond Tart with Armagnac.

Fully illustrated with beautiful food photography by James Murphy and landscape photography by Craig Easton, Rick Stein's French Odyssey is both a souvenir of an unusual and idyllic journey through rural France and an inspiring collection of classic and original recipes. The good news is that the French rural gastronomic dream is still a reality, and the best of its food can be reproduced at home.