FOIE GRAS

FOIE GRAS is the great gastronomic luxury from South West France, where centuries of tradition have refined the production of this rich but delicate extravagance.

Here the numerous fields of corn are testament to the fact that ducks and geese are still fattened the old way, with nature's own bounty. And even if foie gras has become a world-renowned product it is all the more important to find a small artisan-traiteur dedicated to keeping to the old traditions to create the finest product.

Foie gras should be served chilled, on toast or with a good bread, with a glass of sweetish wine such as the local Jurançon or of course champagne. But which foie gras to have?

There are two kinds of paté de foie gras where the duck or goose liver has been rearranged so that it fits neatly into the tin. The bloc de foie gras is virtually 100% duck or goose liver (98% for the technically minded - you have to account for some flavourings! - while the parfait is 75% foie gras.

The top of the gastronomic range is the foie gras entier, which is just that, a piece of the duck or goose liver without any reconstitution. "It is often overlooked because it is the most difficult to make, but it is incontestably the most noble," says M Lafargue. "To prepare it well the freshness and the intrinsic quality of the liver are essential - and that is our strength." There are two kinds of pure foie gras: the ordinary conserve; and the mi-cuit or medium cooked, much appreciated by the gourmands, but which needs to be eaten more quickly as it lasts only six months - not usually a problem!

All conserves are guaranteed for three years, and come from birds raised exclusively in SW France. Semi-conserves are guaranteed for six months kept in a refrigerator.

We deeply regret we cannot yet send to the United States - we have tried getting in touch with the Dept of Agriculture but so far they have not returned our calls!

* Semi conserves which should be kept refrigerated.

DISCOUNTS are available for bulk orders - consult us.

Order now or go to Secure ordering form

We can offer these foods NOW direct from the manufacturer. Use the form below to order your foie gras or send us a comment. Note: we haven't got our shopping cart software up and running yet but you can use the form below to order or, if you know what you want, you can go to our secure ordering form. The prices are EXCLUSIVE of post and packaging.

POSTAGE & INSURANCE: Postage is calculated by weight. Items will be sent by airmail unless you specify otherwise. NB: express is very expensive. If your package comes to more than 2 kilos it is sent automatically by recorded delivery EXCEPT to N America where they do not believe in such a service. OUTSIDE N America if you tick the insurance box for items less than 2 kilos they will be sent by recorded delivery. The extra charge is 24 FF. N American clients who want insurance should tick the insurance box whatever the weight. The extra cost is 39 FF upto a value of 500 FF of merchandise and 2.50 FF for each 500FF thereafter.

PAYMENT: The easiest way to pay is by credit card: we accept VISA and MASTERCARD. You can Email us your credit card number or, if you prefer, fax us on: +33 (0) 5 59 38 99 10. Another way is to send French franc cheques to: 123Voyage, c/o Hotel du Vieux Pont, 64390 Sauveterre de Bearn, France. or to transfer the money direct by SWIFT - ask us for bank account details. Our phone number for inquiries is: +33 (0) 5 59 38 99 00. (Callers from outside France use the international code of 33 and do NOT put in the 0)

Customers are responsible for settling their own custom charges where they apply.