Savoring France: A Francophile's Guide to Mindful Travel

by Eric Kirchmann

Slow tourism is a trendy concept in today's travel culture, but how to define it? While a catchy phrase, the ambiguous term has been interpreted in many ways. In his third published book, best-selling author and Duke psychiatrist Eric Kirchmann tackles the question, providing his spin on its definition. Rejecting the term tourist, aspiring instead to be a slow traveler, he takes readers on another rousing adventure exploring France far and wide as he presents his version of mindful travel. Drawing upon G.K. Chesterton's advice to travelers from more than a century ago to "see what [you] see" and not "what [you] came to see," the author encourages travelers to connect with the people, appreciate the culture, understand the history, and undoubtedly, taste the food. In the spirit of Anthony Bourdain, this exhilarating tale illustrates how travel can be transformative.

Buckle up; a delicious romp around one of the most interesting countries in the world awaits. Veteran travelers to France, Eric and his wife, Courtney, invite you along on an incredible journey. Join them as they venture to Alsace to attend its sparkling, world-famous Christmas markets. Discover with them the magnificent Renaissance castles of the Loire Valley dripping with history. Return with them to Paris for a dive into lesser-known, unique experiences (and a look at what the City of Lights has to offer at Christmastime). And resume with them their escapades in idyllic, rural Gascony as invited guests to a raucous gala joyously celebrating the season of distillation. Throughout the book, course by course, the complex structure and etiquette of the classic French tasting menu will be deconstructed and demystified. Add in mouthwatering descriptions of the most remarkable meals, and you have quite a feast ahead of you. So, get your taste buds ready for an extraordinary journey. Prepare to enjoy Savoring France. 

At the author's website, each chapter has its own webpage with maps, links to favorite restaurants, and pictures that follow the story. There's even a page with recipes. 

238 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 30, 2026

About the author

Eric Kirchmann, M.D., is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University and an ardent slow traveler. He married his high school sweetheart, Courtney, whom he met in junior high French class. After raising their children, they now aim to explore the world with deep dives into the culture, history, food, and people of the places they visit. With expertise in communication and human interaction, Eric brings fresh and unique observations to the world of travel writing. Eric’s first release, Your English is Better than My French (2023), was well received (Amazon #1 New Release in six categories). His second, It Starts with Bonjour, spent seven months as the Amazon Best Seller in the Travel Tips and Culinary Travel categories. Eric's new book, Savoring France, was released in March 2026. Eric and Courtney live in Raleigh, NC, near their family, most notably just down the road from their two precious granddaughters.

Author website: http://erickirchmann.com

Follow me on Instagram @erickirchmann

Reviews

[Carole Handel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for sharing ‘Savoring France’ with me pre publish date. I loved being part of another journey through France with you and Courtney. The delicious meals and wine descriptions left me salivating. Your love of Armagnac reaches a pinacle level. I’m sure you will attract even more people to adopt a different way of travelling. Congratulations on another fantastic book. Here’s to many more French adventures. Santé