One of Cambrai's food specialities is the mint-flavoured sweets called Betises de Cambrai. The story is that, in the 19th century, young Monsieur Afchain was an apprentice in his parents' Confiserie. His mother scolded him for making sweets that were not according to the family recipe. But his mistakes (betises) were so popular with the customers that the family business prospered, selling the minty sweets all over France. The Afchain establishment was officially declared "sole inventor" of the famous sweet in 1889. On a free, guided tour of the factory, visitors can see the sweets being made and visit a museum of old confectionary boxes and tins. Tours are offered Monday to Thursday.
Confiserie Afchain Zone Industrielle de Cantimpre Phone: 33 0 3 27 81 25 49 Fax: 33 0 3 27 81 20 40 Website: www.betises-de-cambrai.tm.fr (English & French)
