5 ways to embrace your love of the outdoors the French way

From visiting vineyards to enjoying sweet treats in the sunshine, get ready to evoke the magic of southern France this summer with LU biscuits

When the British weather is kind to us, we’re all desperate to get outside and soak up the sun while it lasts. Whether you prefer visiting outdoor spaces around the UK or making the most of your own garden, it’s safe to say that sunny days often feel that bit more sunnier when they’re spent with the people you love.

Like many family businesses, LU bloomed from these special moments of togetherness. It began in 1846 with the union of two young bakers, Jean-Romain Lefèvre and Pauline-Isabelle Utile, who brought their initials together to create the iconic brand. Now, more than 170 years later, LU’s biscuits are still baked with simple ingredients and authentic French passion.

And now you don’t have to wait for your next cross-Channel hop to sample them. LU recently launched a range of biscuits here in the UK, including Le Petit Beurre, which takes inspiration from the first ever LU biscuit, the Véritable Petit Beurre, to offer a wonderfully buttery flavour with a hint of salt. There’s also Le Petit Chocolat, which combines a butter biscuit with a layer of indulgent milk chocolate. Whichever flavour you choose, you can taste the love in every bite.

Here are a few other ways that you can channel some of that famous French passion into your love of the outdoors.

Enjoy a taste of the countryside with a vineyard tour

It turns out you don’t 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 restaurants, gourmet picnics and vine leasing schemes. Many of England’s vineyards are located in the southeast, with some even situated in the Kent Downs, which is an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' with a chalky terroir very similar to that of Champagne.

Dry out your lavender to make Herbes de Provence

Great for both French and Mediterranean cooking, Herbes de Provence is an aromatic mixture of dried Provençal herbs, which traditionally includes thyme, basil, rosemary, tarragon, savory, marjoram and oregano. Naturally, you’ll 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 Goûter with a loved one and LU biscuits

Similar to British afternoon tea, Le Goûter 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 Goûter, and a simple spread of your favourite crockery on a classic gingham tablecloth is an easy way to impress guests. After that, you’ll 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, while the chocolate layer on Le Petit Chocolat melts to create the perfect mouthful.

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.