Bordeaux on the Go.

It's lunchtime in Paris, and all over this city of gastronomic delights, people are cutting into their steak frites, nibbling croque- monsieur and slurping soupe a l'oignon. But in the bustling Gare du Nord, Jean-Pierre Arnaud is staring into a giant green and yellow vending machine, debating between a bacon-and-chicken sandwich and a dish of potato salad. Settling on the sandwich, he inserts his 10euro and watches the mechanical arm deliver his lunch. With plenty of other options in the station, why'd he choose the Yatoo Partoo (Everything Everywhere) machine? "I wanted something quickly because I'm really hungry," mumbles the twentysomething student. "I didn't want to have to talk to anyone or wait on line. I know it's probably not going to be great, but I'm not expecting much," he adds, grabbing his 5euros in change and scurrying off to catch his bus.

Forget the cheese course. In the land of slow-roasted duck and vintage Bordeaux, convenience is suddenly key. Yatoo Partoo now has 30 machines around France, selling everything from milk and salad to pastries and wine. Vending machines on subway platforms tempt commuters with cups of cappuccino as well as tomato soup. Prepackaged, ready-to-heat meals-- lamb tips over egg noodles, veal cutlet in mushroom sauce--are clogging supermarket shelves. Fleury Michon, a giant maker of premade meals, has begun hawking ready-to-eat dishes in offices, hospitals and hotels. Around Paris customers can also rent DVDs, make business cards, buy clothes and even select works of art--all from computerized machines. Naturally, not everyone is pleased by this development. "It's just another example of our society's acceleration and modernization--and not in a good way," ...