Full of medieval cities, classical art museums, and alpine villages, France is a country full of culture and history and sophisticated food. Renowned for its wines and diverse range of culinary traditions, there is simply no way that you can take in everything that France’s food culture has to offer, but it is a delicious journey trying! Whether you’re starting your day off with a warm croissant from the boulangerie, buying fresh ingredients at the local market, or filling up on specialties from a Parisian bistro, you can be sure that you will eat exquisite food wherever you go in France.
Although you may not get around everything, there are local foods in France that you simply cannot leave without trying. With that being said, here are our 8 must try foods in France!
Foods in France; explore the taste
Croissant
Of course, we had to start with the deliciously simply croissant! There is nothing like the smell of fresh bread and pastries when walking down a street in France, so enjoy this local favorite as part of your “petite dejeuner” and experience it cooked to perfection. Often, the best experiences in life are the most simple, so feast your eyes on the range of French pastries and enjoy this fantastic treat!
Croque-monsieur
Again, a simple yet gorgeous culinary creation: the Croque Monsieur. The perfect ‘snack’ to refuel after a long morning exploring, locals enjoy this delicious sandwich as a quick respite to keep them going for their evening meal. Complete with baked or fried ham and cheese served on a brioche-like bread, we highly recommend adding some mustard to give it a spicy kick!
Fois Gras
Calling all luxury foodies, this is one for you to tuck into! Fois Gras is a goose or duck liver that has been fattened intentionally to give it a rich and buttery flavor. Best served on a piece of brioche with a bit of sweet onion or fig jam, this opulent flavor combination is something that just has to be experienced for yourself! A true French delicacy, Fois Gras is one savory dish that you will find on the table at New Years.
Learn to create your own Fois Gras in a local hands-on cooking class. Local chef Oliver will share with you the secrets before you cook and dine on your own creations!
Escargot
Even if you’re not the most adventurous culinary explorer, escargot (snails) are really quite amazing. A very traditional and one of the most sophisticated foods in France, the snails are cooked in garlic butter, parsley cream or wine, and are presented in their shells for you to eat with a little pick. The snails are a traditional French dish and are amusing to try for the first time, so just close your eyes and taste! You won’t regret it, that’s for sure!
If you want to live a foodie adventure in other ways, step away from the snails and join a exciting dinner party with local Claudine!
Quiche Lorraine
We all know and love the delicacy that is the Quiche Lorraine, but as usual, local foods taste best when they are made at home. One of the most popular foods in France, you can find the traditional quiche in most bakeries or restaurants, and each will be just as exquisite as the next! Although you’ll come across many modern versions, the original quiche is a tart topped with creamy crème fraiche, milk, eggs and nutmeg, and bits of grilled bacon to give it a distinctive smoky flavor.
Taste a home made French quiche at a local’s table and delight in a friendly and convivial atmosphere!
Beef Bourguignon
The heartiest of French casseroles, Beef Bourguignon, is perfect for a conventional weekend family meal or as a generous lunchtime treat. One of the warmest foods in France, this dish involves cooking good cuts of beef slowly and stewing it in red wine, herbs, and vegetables, to create a flavorsome and mouthwatering dish. This local food is not a recipe to be rushed and it is the heart and soul that goes into it that makes it so delicious!
Crêpes
Whether savory or sweet, the crêpe is a staple food for the French. You can start the day with the classic French crêpe complete with butter and sugar, have a surprisingly filling ham and egg crêpe for lunch, and you can even have a full blown galette for dinner complete with a tasty nutella crêpe for dessert. Let’s just say, the options are limitless and you could eat them at any time or all day every day! We advise you don’t though, there are so much more foods in France to try without getting sugar overload!
Satisfy your sweet tooth by learning to make other French delicacies such as the Provencal macaron! Perfect the technique with local Rosa and never go without again!
French Cheese!
Ending our must try foods in France list with a bang, is recommending French cheese! Whatever region you are in, wherever you are, you must try the wide assortment of cheeses that are on offer. Even if you are in Paris, order a charcuterie board and indulge yourself! There’s something magical about French cheeses from bries to blues, and you’ll discover that there is a cheese for everyone regardless of your taste!
Visit the street market of Saint Charles and pair some local cheeses with the finest of wines! This is one food tour that Natacha will make sure you never forget!
Food is of enormous importance to the French, so when you are there, make sure to eat exceedingly well and immerse yourself in the layers of French gastronomy! One of the best things about local foods in France is that there is always something new to taste, something new to learn and observe, and something new that will become a part of your life forever!
If your mouth is left watering at the thought of trying these luxurious foods, immerse yourself in the French culture with Eatwith and feast on the local food!
