It all started 400 000 years ago, when Homo Erectus arrived in Perigord, coming from Africa.
The traces of early settlements show his ability to use some technology, like two sides’ flint, or fire, signs of adaptation to the cold environment in the glaciations eras.
Later on, Neandertal took his place; first species originating from Europe, he left numerous remnants of the tools he used or the game he hunted, until he disappeared 30 000years ago. He was the first human ancestor to bury the dead, thus testifying of a spiritual behaviour.
Although less famous then Bordeaux and Burgundy, the Alsace vineyards are among the oldest in France.
Gordon Ramsay weathered the disdain of French critics today, emerging as one of the winners in the 100th edition of the Michelin Red Guide, the bible of gastronomy.
Ramsay, 42, was given two stars for his first French restaurant, Gordon Ramsay au Trianon, at Versailles, which opened a year ago. This makes him the first British chef to be awarded deux macarons on Michelin's home soil in the 109 years since the guide was first published.
"Seraphine," a biopic about French painter Seraphine de Senlis, swept the Cesar Awards, winning seven, including best picture, screenplay, costumes, sound, photography, décor and lead actress (Yolande Moreau). Previously, Moreau won the same award for "When the Sea Rises" (2004), which she also directed.
Accepting the best-picture prize at France's equivalent to the Oscars, director Martin Provost said, "I would like to thank Seraphine, who disappeared during the 1930s Depression but apparently is getting her luck back from this crisis."
