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Every summer, many of us are keen to get outside and soak up the sunshine while it lasts. And whether you enjoy a beach trip or afternoon tea in the garden, youíll often find that sunny days feel that bit sunnier when theyíre spent with the people you love.
Like many family businesses, LU biscuits bloomed from these special moments of togetherness. It began in 1846 with the union of two young bakers, Jean-Romain LefËvre and Pauline-Isabelle Utile, who brought their initials together to create the iconic brand. Now, more than 170 years later, LUís biscuits are still baked with a combination of simple ingredients and authentic French passion.
Though you may associate them with French holidays, LU recently launched a range of biscuits here in the UK. It includes Le Petit Beurre, which takes inspiration from the first ever LU biscuit, the VÈritable Petit Beurre, to offer a wonderfully buttery flavour with a hint of salt. Thereís also Le Petit Chocolat, which combines a butter biscuit with a layer of indulgent milk chocolate. Here are a few other ways that you can channel some of that French passion into your love of the outdoors.
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It turns out you donít always have to fly to France to soak up the picturesque views of a sunny vineyard. British wine has come a long way in recent years and there are now a number of award-winning wineries across the UK, producing a wide range of sparkling and still wines. Plus, there are plenty of ways to enjoy them, from classic tastings and tours to gourmet picnics and vine leasing schemes. Some even have restaurants where the wine is paired with locally sourced food and a side of breath-taking views. Many of Englandís vineyards are located in the southeast, including the Kent Downs, an ëArea of Outstanding Natural Beautyí, which has a chalky terroir very similar to that of Champagne.
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Great for both French and Mediterranean cooking, Herbes de Provence is an aromatic mixture of dried ProvenÁal herbs, which traditionally includes thyme, basil, rosemary, tarragon, savory, marjoram and oregano. Naturally, youíll probably associate Provence with its rolling lavender fields, which is why this herb blend often also includes dried lavender flowers. If you have fresh lavender to hand, you can hang it in bunches to dry, or simply place it in an oven or food dehydrator, along with any other fresh herbs from your garden that would work in this blend. Herbes de Provence is great for elevating a range of simple dishes, including chicken, grilled fish and ratatouille.
Enjoy Le Go˚ter with a loved one and LU biscuits
Like British afternoon tea, Le Go˚ter is the French tradition of sharing a snack in the afternoon. This year, LU is challenging the nation to turn their afternoon lulls into afternoon LUs. A small gathering in the garden is the perfect way to enjoy Le Go˚ter, and a simple spread of your favourite crockery on a classic gingham tablecloth is an easy way to impress guests. After that, youíll just need to fill a couple of cake stands with your favourite LU biscuits. The classic butteriness of Le Petit Beurre makes it great for dunking, of Le Petit Beurre makes it great for dunking, while the chocolate layer on Le Petit Chocolat while the chocolate layer on Le Petit Chocolat melts to create the perfect mouthful.
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Visit a French-inspired formal garden
Often when you think of a classic French garden, the first thing that comes to mind is a perfect swirl of geometric greenery, like the gardens of Versailles. But did you know that these French formal gardens have also inspired some of our own outdoor spaces here in the UK? For instance, The Parterre at Oxburgh Hall in Norfolk was created in 1848 when a member of the Bedingfeld family supposedly visited a parterre garden in France and wanted to recreate it at Oxburgh. Today, it features a colourful arrangement of more than 6,500 bedding plants that bloom into an unmissable floral display every summer.
Elevate your outdoor space with rustic French touches
At the opposite end of the French garden scale, you have the more rural image of a country plot. This can be a great source of inspiration if you want to add a warm, rustic feel to your outdoor space. Think antique metal watering cans, weathered stone garden sculptures and Anduze planters, handmade using traditional pottery techniques in the south of France. A French bistro-style table and chairs also makes an elegant addition to any lawn, patio or balcony.
