France

2017

This 50 Euro commemorative coin issued by Monnaie de Paris celebrates French gastronomy as an art form and a cultural heritage. The minimalist obverse features a refined circular composition with a bold golden center, symbolizing purity, balance, and the essence of taste. The reverse is richly detailed with culinary elements—vegetables, kitchen tools, and flowing lines—accompanied by the inscription “La cuisine est l’art de transformer instantanément en joie des produits chargés d’histoire” (“Cuisine is the art of instantly transforming history-laden ingredients into joy”). The coin elevates cooking beyond function, presenting it as a performative cultural expression deeply embedded in French identity, tradition, and creativity.