★★★★★
A Lifetime Love Affair with France Through Food, Culture, and Travel
Irvina Lew’s “Forays in France: A Flavorful Memoir” is a delightful literary confection that serves up equal portions of wanderlust and wisdom. This captivating work defies easy categorization, seamlessly blending the intimacy of memoir with the practical guidance of a travel guide and the cultural insights of a seasoned journalist’s observations.
A Journey Through Time and Taste
What makes Lew’s work particularly compelling is its unique temporal scope. The author chronicles her relationship with France across seven decades, beginning with her experiences as a 19-year-old student and continuing through her octogenarian adventures. This expansive timeline provides readers with both the fresh-eyed wonder of youthful discovery and the refined palate of a sophisticated traveler who has learned to seek out France’s hidden gems.
Lew’s background as an award-winning food and travel writer, combined with her academic credentials from prestigious institutions including the University of Paris and the Sorbonne, lends authentic authority to her observations. Her expertise in art, culture, food, and wine shines through every page, offering readers insights that go far beyond typical tourist experiences.
Culinary Travelogue with Soul
The subtitle “A Flavorful Memoir” perfectly captures the book’s essence. Lew doesn’t simply describe meals; she contextualizes them within the broader tapestry of French culture and her personal evolution. From sun-drenched vineyards in Bordeaux to hidden gardens in Paris, from coastal villages to Loire Valley castles, each location becomes a character in her ongoing love story with France.
The author’s approach to culinary exploration is particularly noteworthy. Rather than focusing solely on Michelin-starred establishments, Lew celebrates the full spectrum of French dining, from neighborhood bistros to market stalls, revealing how food serves as a gateway to understanding French culture and connecting with local communities.
Practical Wisdom Meets Personal Reflection
One of the book’s greatest strengths lies in Lew’s ability to balance personal anecdotes with practical travel advice. Her informational sidebars and savvy travel tips demonstrate decades of accumulated wisdom about navigating France effectively. These elements transform the memoir from mere entertainment into a valuable resource for anyone planning their own French adventures.
The author’s perspective as someone who has experienced France across multiple life stages adds depth that younger travel writers often lack. Her observations about how both she and the country have evolved over the decades provide fascinating insights into cultural change and personal growth.
Literary Craftsmanship
Lew’s prose flows with the elegance of a fine French wine, demonstrating her skill as both storyteller and journalist. Her ability to weave together different narrative threads—personal history, cultural observation, culinary exploration, and travel guidance—creates a rich tapestry that keeps readers engaged throughout.
The book’s structure, organized around various “forays” or expeditions, allows readers to either follow the complete journey or dip into specific sections that align with their interests or travel plans. This flexibility makes it equally valuable as a complete read or a reference guide.
The Verdict
“Forays in France: A Flavorful Memoir” succeeds brilliantly as both an engaging personal narrative and an inspiring guide to French culture and cuisine. Lew’s unique perspective as a lifelong francophile offers readers something increasingly rare in travel literature: depth, wisdom, and genuine cultural understanding earned through decades of thoughtful exploration.
This book will appeal to multiple audiences: armchair travelers seeking vicarious adventures, France enthusiasts planning future trips, food lovers interested in culinary culture, and anyone who appreciates well-crafted memoir writing. It’s particularly valuable for mature travelers who will relate to Lew’s evolved perspective on travel and life.
Recommended for: Travel enthusiasts, francophiles, food and wine lovers, memoir readers, and anyone seeking inspiration for cultural exploration at any life stage.
Best enjoyed with: A glass of French wine and perhaps some cheese from your local fromagerie, while planning your next adventure or simply savoring memories of past ones.
About the Author
Irvina Lew is an author and freelance food, spa, and travel writer, who taught French for more than thirty years. A five-year stint writing about restaurants and spas for New York Nightlife—plus book and media tours to thirty cities—motivated her transition from teacher to full-time freelancer. She has won awards from the Society of American Travel Writers and the Society of Professional Journalists: Long Island Press Club and is also a member of American Society of Journalists and Authors, Long Island Authors and an alumnus of Travel Classics. The Francophile is a musical theater fan who loves to garden and serve gougères, rotisserie chicken, and zucchini blossoms at her Long Island home.
“Forays in France” reminds us that the best travel writing doesn’t just describe places—it reveals how those places shape us, and how we, in turn, learn to see them with ever-deeper appreciation. Irvina Lew has given us a masterclass in both travel and living well.
Booksigning
Fireside Chat with Irvina Lew
Ram’s Head Inn, Shelter Island Heights
108 South Ram Island Drive
Shelter Island Heights, New York
5pm Friday, August 15th 2025
TO ORDER:
Forays in France: A Flavorful Memoir, in paperback
Forays in France: A Flavorful Memoir, Kindle Edition
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Written & edited by Lisa E. Freedman with AI assistance
