You are here: / / Food is Culture

  • Food is Culture

    France and Germany

    CEPA faculty-led program on culinary arts and food culture
  • Academic Field(s)

    Hospitality and Tourism

  • Destinations

    Strasbourg, Black Forest, Freiburg, and Paris

  • Duration

    11 days

  • Accommodation

    3-star hotel in Paris and the European Study Center (ESC) Strasbourg

Europe is renowned for countless culinary specialties which tantalize the taste buds and warm one’s heart.

This program pursues a passion for regional culinary history and practices. It allows students to gain an insider’s view into the food production of local delicatessens by visiting food producers in two of the most “delectable” European regions: the Alsace in France and the Black Forest in Germany. Additionally, in Paris, students will experience the culinary excellence of the French capital, learn about its gastronomy, local markets, and absorb the French culture at first hand.

  • DAY 1

    • Overnight flight to Frankfurt, Germany (group flight can be booked separately)

  • DAY 2-3: STRASBOURG

    • Orientation session by your on-site CEPA coordinator
    • Guided walking tour of Strasbourg focusing on the gourmet delights
    • Welcome dinner at a traditional winstub
    • Cooking workshop to learn about and cook with regional products
    • Visit a typical French “Pâtisserie” to meet with the owner, who will introduce you to the fine art of pastry making in France (tasting included)

  • DAY 4-5: BLACK FORST - FREIBURG

    • Visit a 4- or 5-star hotel in the Black Forest for a behind-the-scenes and kitchen tour as well as a group lunch
    • Visit a German brewery in the Black Forest, including a beer tasting and a snack
    • Learn how to make Black Forest Cake (tasting included)

  • DAY 6-7: STRASBOURG - ALSACE

    • Guest lecture on “The French Health System”
    • Experience Alsatian specialities such as gingerbread, cheese, traditional biscuits, wine, and more during a “Tasty Trip” through Strasbourg
    • Guided bus tour along the famous “Route du vin” (wine route)
    • Visit an Alsatian winery and one of their vineyards (tasting included)
    • Tarte flambée group dinner

  • DAY 8-11: PARIS

    • Train from Strasbourg to Paris
    • Boat tour on the Bateaux Parisiens
    • Admission to the Musée de l’homme to explore their permanent exhibition “je mange donc je suis”
    • Guided tour of one of Paris’s most famous gastronomy companies (tasting included)
    • Gourmand guided tour of the Opéra, St-Honoré and Madeleine gastronomic Paris
    • Farewell dinner at a French restaurant

Interested in running a similar program or building one from scratch?

Let’s get in touch by choosing where you are in the planning process.

I have all the details

You know your exact travel dates and destinations, and are ready to request a formal proposal with quote. (at no charge or committment)

I am just starting

You have great ideas but might have questions, need further advice or want some guidance to bring everything together in an itinerary.

Maps were disabled by the visitor on this site. Click to open the map in a new window.