Atout France's Mélanie Paul-Hus, Public Relations Coordinator & Armelle Tardy-Joubert, Director to Canada
Armelle Tardy-Joubert, Atout France; Marion Fabre, Marseille Tourisme; Olivia Poncy, Rhône Alpes Tourisme; Jacques Daoulas, Tourisme Midi-Pyrénées; Rabiha Benaissa, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Tourisme; Samina Sabir, Rail Europe; and Mélanie Paul-Hus, Atout France
Mildred's Temple Kitchen's chef shucks oysters for the reception
Helen Hewetson, The Travel Society
Guests mingle & network with the tourism partners
When you think of France, what’s the first thought that comes to mind? Paris? The Eiffel Tower? Well, Atout France recently hosted an event in both YUL and YTO, and Paris wasn’t invited to either. It’s not that Atout France is trying exclude the French capital. It’s just that the tourism board wants to highlight the many other regions their beautifully diverse country has to offer.
“There is so much more to discover outside of Paris,” said Mélanie Paul-Hus, Public Relations Coordinator for Atout France. “France is always evolving. For instance, Marseilles will be the 2013 European Capital of Culture next year.”
Reps from Marseille, Provence, Rhône Alpes, Midi-Pyrénées and Rail Europe attended the event along with 50 other guests at YTO’s Mildred’s Temple Kitchen in Liberty Village. The theme of the evening was “comfort” and according to Atout France’s Director for Canada, Armelle Tardy-Joubert, we are all in need of more comfort since winter is fast approaching.
And what is more comforting than a delicious, soul-warming meal? Mildred’s Temple Kitchen presented a lovely French-inspired dinner that included soupe au pistou (a French version of minestrone), fois gras on a toasted brioche, duck confit and a Beaujolais poached pear for dessert. Of course, a French meal isn’t complete without French wine. Guests could choose between a rosé from Provence, a white wine from Northern Rhône and a malbec from Cahors.
While each of the tourism partners presented their destination and product, the evening was much more than an informational session. The event was also held in honour of the 2nd edition of France’s Festival of Gastronomy and was a fantastic celebration of French cuisine – cuisine, comfort and camaraderie that can be enjoyed throughout France… not just Paris.
