If the situation worsens, Mr. Heaney said the town might allow some temporary hard structures - a line of boulders or "geotubes," gigantic sausages stuffed with sand that town regulations allow only in an emergency.

Boudin blanc, a plump little sausage stuffed with veal and chicken, is grilled until it bursts through the skin onto the chunky apple compote with which it is served.

Entrees to consider include boudin blanc, a plump little sausage stuffed with veal and chicken, complemented by a chunky apple compote; roast chicken glazed with a Dijon mustard sauce and paired with garlicky mashed potatoes; grilled salmon with basil oil, and braised lamb shank in red wine served with gratineed macaroni.

What to Eat Typical dishes include botillo, a smoked sausage stuffed with meat and pork bones, fried mountain trout stuffed with cured ham, roast suckling goats and lamb, and olla berciana, a hearty stew made of vegetables, beans, potatoes and meats.

But there are plenty of other recipes, for satisfying, simple preparations like baked fish with capers, saffron and tomatoes, or challenging, complex dishes like Gascon poule au pot (stuffed chicken simmered with stuffed cabbages), poached brioche, and green sausages stuffed with parsley, spinach and herbs.

In the singular, a kind of sausage stuffed with finely chopped potatoes, carrots, onions, spices, etc., rather than meat.