A shaggy dog story: how a few bears rescued the Pyrenean Mountain dog

Traditionally they were trained to defend flocks of sheep from bears and wolves, but during the second half of the 20th century the Pyrenean Mountain dog all but disappeared from its home range, along with the predators it used to confront. With a little help from Slovenia, this iconic dog has made a come back in recent years. a-shaggy-dog-story-how-a-few-bears-rescued-the-pyrenean-mountain-dog.html

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How did Lautrec get its pink garlic?

​​Exactly when pink garlic took root in Lautrec is unknown, and its miraculous appearance is, perhaps inevitably, the subject of a legend. how-did-lautrec-get-its-pink-garlic.html

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What makes Roquefort cheese blue (or green)?

Cheese is often associated with bread, either in a sandwich, on a croque monsieur, or during the cheese course at the end of a meal. With Roquefort, this connection is made long before the cheese reaches the gourmet’s plate, and the origin of this fortuitous alliance is the subject of another legend. what-makes-roquefort-cheese-blue-or-green.html

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Why are the Pyrenees called the Pyrenees?

​This question has been debated since Classical times, and there is still no clear answer today. Back in the 16th century, the future King Henri IV of France thought he knew why. These mountains were called the Pyrenees because one of his ancestors had ravished a princess. Earlier this summer, I explored the story by following Henri’s footsteps deep inside the cave of Lombrives. why-are-the-pyrenees-called-the-pyrenees.html

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