Of all my travels throughout Europe, France is that stands heads and tails above the rest. From Paris to Monte Carlo, the charm and elegance is unique in the world. 

 My favorite escape is to the Southwest Region. Driving along the coast, passing through towns like Nice, Cannes, Saint Tropez, Toulon, and Marseilles, you can't help but sense the romance of those classic, sub-titled films!

At the end of your seaside journey, you'll find yourself deposited in the old world of Montpellier. 

 With a population of only 350,000 (mostly college students), you get the feeling you are no longer in France, rather lost within the pages of history. 

 It is here, in the thousand year-old city of  Montpellier, that you can find one of the best restaurants in France, Jardin des Sens, or "Garden of the Senses." Part exclusive hotel, part three-star restaurant, the twin chefs, Jacques and Laurent Pourcel, create a dining atmosphere that's as French as their accents.

 I had the great opportunity to orchestrate a few recipes with the Pourcel brothers for my weekly news segments on WDIV. 

One unusual morsel I sampled involved cooking tomatoes in hot caramel,  then drizzling the contents over fresh ice cream. 
 It's easy to understand why tomatoes are technically classified as fruit when you're eating them over ice cream - only in France!

 After sampling the guilty pleasures of Montpellier, you can make your way over to the seaside town of Bouzigues. As you look across the bay filled with hundreds of oyster beds, keep an eye out for Jean Pierre. He is the local expert on oyster eating. Check out my video clip.

When it comes to eating, the sea plays an important role in Sete's diet. To properly experience the Sete's love for seafood, just step into the first café you come across... or the second, or third... any one will do. With a glass of the local wine and a hearty appetite, the Monkfish Stew will teach your taste buds the true definition of 'fresh'. Some of my other favorites include Cuttlefish with a Spicy Mayonnaise followed by a squid pie that, in a blind competition, might well beat out Mom's apple pie!