What to Eat and Drink in France: The Ultimate Guide
What to Eat and Drink in France
The French know food, and a trip to France would be incomplete without indulging in its deliciousness. Here is everything you need to know about what to eat in France!
France is known for its rich culinary traditions. From decadent pastries and artisan breads to hearty regional dishes like Boeuf Bourguignon and Coq au Vin, there’s something to suit every palate. And, as the world’s top wine and cheese producer, France is a true paradise for foodies.
But it’s not just the delicious produce and specialty dishes which make France a top food destination. Food and wine are part of the way of life here, and experiencing this is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in French culture.
Having spent several years living in France and coming from a restaurateur family, I’ve been fortunate enough to experience this firsthand. And, to help you enjoy it too, I reached out to fellow French travel expert Lizet Wesselman, who has helped me put together this complete guide to French food and wine.
So, read on to discover what you should eat and drink when you visit France!
The Culture of French Food: Eating Like the French
In France, food is more than just sustenance—it’s an integral part of daily life and social culture.
Traditionally, the French prefer to savour their food. They take their time when eating, especially for lunch and weekend dinners, which are leisurely affairs often enjoyed with company and a glass of good wine.
And, they always try to prioritize quality over quantity, favouring fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients in their meals rather than processed foods.
Breakfast
A typical day of eating begins with petit déjeuner, or breakfast, which is usually light and sweet. Contrary to popular belief, breakfast doesn’t always involve croissants! While pastries like croissants or pain au chocolat might occasionally appear on the table, the more common breakfast choice is the tartine — a simple slice of baguette topped with butter and jam, or sometimes Nutella.
Breakfast in France is usually accompanied by coffee or tea, and tisane (herbal tea) or hot chocolate for those who don’t drink caffeine. These drinks are often served in small bowls rather than cups, and it’s popular to dunk your tartine in your drink!
Lunch
Lunch, or déjeuner, is usually the most substantial meal of the day in France, especially on weekends. In fact, to accommodate the tradition of a leisurely lunch, most shops and businesses close for 2 hours in the middle of the day.
Déjeuner will often consist of multiple courses, including a starter (such as a salad, soup or pâté), a main dish, and a dessert or cheese. Many people also enjoy a glass of wine with their lunch, followed by a coffee.
Across France you’ll find lunchtime specials available at most brasseries, bars and restaurants. Some of the most common dishes you might come across on the menu are steak frites (steak with fries), hearty pasta dishes like lasagna, and gourmet sandwiches like croque monsieur.
Dinner
Dinner (le dîner) is typically lighter than lunch and is eaten later in the evening, around 8 to 9 PM. It’s believed that this late dinner time stems from the French workday typically ending later in the day than the western workday (to accommodate their long 2-hour lunch breaks!).
Dinner may include a soup or salad, followed by a simple main course like quiche, pasta, or roasted meats, and a small dessert. It’s also often accompanied by a glass of wine or sparkling water. And, the meal is often spent unwinding and connecting with family.
Although dinner can also serve as a social gathering in France. On the weekends, friends and family will often come together to enjoy a large meal and good wine together, which can last late into the night.
Snacks
Having snacks between meals isn’t common among adults in France, but is usually a daily occurrence for kids. Referred to as “goûter“, children in France will usually have a small afternoon treat around 4:30pm when they finish school. This snack will see them through until dinner, which isn’t served until later in the evening.
Goûter will usually consist of a pastry, piece of chocolate or some biscuits, and is often paired with a glass of milk, drinkable yoghurt or hot chocolate.
Although goûter isn’t common for adults in France, with such a big café culture, it’s not uncommon for the French to stop for a coffee and snack, such as a pastry, crêpe or ice cream, while out shopping or with family or friends.
And, it’s also common for the French to indulge in apéritif before dinner (and sometimes lunch). This is most common when sharing a meal with friends or family at home or at a restaurant. Apéritif is essentially a pre-dinner alcoholic drink – such as a cocktail, kir royale, or pastis – accompanied by savoury snacks like pretzels, nuts, charcuterie and cheeses.
What to Eat in France
Now that you know a bit about how the French eat, you’re probably eager to know what to eat in France. So, here are some must-try French dishes you won’t want to miss:
Classic Dishes
Coq au Vin
A traditional dish made with chicken, wine, mushrooms, and lardons (small strips of bacon). It’s slow-cooked until tender, and is often served with mashed potatoes or fresh bread to balance the rich flavours. Although it originated in Burgundy, coq au vin has become a national classic and can be found on menus across the country.
Ratatouille
A Provençal vegetable stew made with eggplant, zucchini, peppers, and tomatoes, often flavoured with herbs like thyme and basil. This colourful Mediterranean dish can now be found across the country and is usually served as a side or main dish, often alongside grilled meats or fish.
Soupe à l’oignon
This classic French onion soup is made with caramelized onions, beef broth, and topped with a piece of baguette and grated cheese. It’s then gratinated in the oven until the cheese is golden and bubbly. It’s perfect for warming up on a chilly day.
Croque Monsieur
A classic French ham and cheese sandwich, typically made with Gruyère or Emmental cheese, and toasted to crispy, melted perfection. For a richer variation, the sandwich is often topped with béchamel sauce and baked in the oven. And the “Croque Madame” version adds a fried egg on top.
Steak Frites
One of the most popular and simple French dishes, consisting of a grilled or pan-seared steak served with a generous portion of crispy French fries. The steak is often accompanied by a béarnaise or peppercorn sauce.
Moules Frites
A delicious combination of steamed mussels served with a side of French fries. The mussels are typically cooked in white wine with garlic, parsley, and butter, creating a flavourful broth perfect for dipping your fries or bread.
Duck Confit
A traditional French dish where duck legs are slowly cooked in their own fat until tender and crisp. Often served with roasted potatoes or greens.
Escargots
Snails (escargots in French) cooked in garlic butter with parsley for a quintessential French appetizer. They’re usually served in their shells with a special fork for easy eating.
Salade Niçoise
A salad originally from Nice, made with tuna, anchovies, olives, hard-boiled eggs, green beans, and tomatoes, all dressed in olive oil. This light and flavourful classic French salad is perfect for warm weather.
Regional Specialties
Boeuf Bourguignon (Burgundy)
A rich, slow-cooked beef stew from Burgundy, made with red wine, onions, and mushrooms. This hearty dish is typically served with potatoes or crusty bread to soak up the flavourful sauce.
Quiche Lorraine (Alsace)
A savoury tart from the Alsace region, made with eggs, cream, cheese, and bacon, served hot or cold.
Bouillabaisse (Marseille)
A rich, flavourful fish stew from Marseille, typically made with a variety of Mediterranean fish, shellfish, and saffron, and served with rouille (a garlicky sauce) and crusty fresh bread.
Cassoulet (Southwest France)
A slow-cooked casserole from the southwest (particularly Toulouse and Carcassonne), typically made with white beans, sausages and duck confit, or sometimes lamb. It’s a very hearty meal and a staple of French comfort food.
Galette (Brittany)
A savoury crêpe made with buckwheat flour, usually filled with ham, cheese, and eggs. They’re often served as a casual meal in cafés or crêperies (crêpe restaurants).
Tartiflette (French Alps)
A creamy and hearty dish from the French Alps, Tartiflette is made with potatoes, Reblochon cheese, bacon, and onions—a must-try in the winter!
Fondue (French Alps)
Another traditional dish from the Alpine regions of France, made by melting a blend of cheeses (typically Gruyère and Emmental) with white wine and garlic. It’s served in a communal pot over a small burner, and diners dip pieces of crusty bread into the warm, gooey cheese. Fondue is especially popular in the winter months and often enjoyed as a social meal in the French Alps.
Pastries and Desserts
Croissants and Pain au Chocolat
These buttery, flaky pastries are must-haves with a coffee or for breakfast and can be found in every boulangerie across France. Croissants are plain, while pain au chocolat is filled with a strip of rich, melted chocolate.
Crème Brûlée
A classic French dessert consisting of a rich, creamy custard base topped with a thin layer of caramelized sugar. The contrast of the smooth custard and crispy sugar topping makes it one of the most beloved desserts in France.
Éclairs
A long piece of choux pastry filled with a rich cream or custard and topped with a layer of chocolate icing. These classic pastries are often found in patisseries across France.
Macarons
Delicate almond meringue cookies filled with various flavoured creams, available in a rainbow of colours. These light, airy treats are as much a feast for the eyes as they are for the palate.
Tarte Tatin
An upside-down caramelized apple tart. The apples are cooked in sugar and butter before being baked with a pastry crust, then flipped over before serving. This delightful dessert originated in the Loire Valley and has become a beloved French classic.
Crêpes
Thin, delicate pancakes that can be either sweet (usually filled with Nutella, lemon and sugar, or fruit) or savoury (often filled with ham, cheese or mushrooms). They are a popular French street food and are sometimes even eaten as a meal.
Clafoutis
A baked dessert made with a flan-like batter poured over fresh fruits, usually cherries, and dusted with powdered sugar. This simple yet elegant treat is especially popular in the Limousin region.
Madeleines
Small, shell-shaped sponge cakes with a light, buttery flavour. Madeleines are often served alongside tea or coffee and are famous for their delicate texture.
Mille Feuille
A layered pastry made with thin, crisp layers of puff pastry and filled with pastry cream, often topped with icing or powdered sugar. Also known as a “Napoleon,” this is a classic French dessert loved for its rich, creamy texture and light crunch.
Profiteroles
Small choux pastry balls filled with whipped cream, pastry cream, or even ice cream, and typically drizzled with chocolate sauce. These indulgent treats are often served as a decadent dessert in French restaurants or at special events.
Crème Caramel
A smooth, baked custard dessert topped with a layer of soft caramel. Unlike crème brûlée, this dessert has a liquid caramel topping rather than a crispy sugar layer.
Tarte au Citron
A tangy, refreshing lemon tart with a smooth, zesty filling in a crisp pastry shell. This vibrant dessert is perfect for those who enjoy a balance of sweet and sour flavours.
Fruit Tart
Traditional French fruit tarts, such as tarte aux pommes (apple tart), feature thinly sliced fruit arranged beautifully over a buttery pastry base. The fruit is often glazed with apricot or other fruit preserves for a glossy finish.
French Wine: A Key Part of the Culture
On the topic of what to eat in France, you can’t forget about French wine! Pairing your meals with a glass of French wine or champagne is a must when visiting France.
The country is home to some of the world’s most famous wine-growing regions, from Bordeaux to Burgundy and Champagne. The wines from these areas are legendary, and no trip to France is complete without sampling some. Better yet, consider going on a full wine tour across the country, tasting the best wines each region has to offer!
France is also the biggest wine producer in the world, and the French drink more wine per person than any other country.
In France, wine isn’t just something to drink—it’s a way of life. You’ll often find it perfectly paired with food, as the French believe that wine brings out the flavours of a dish and enhances the entire dining experience. So, when you’re thinking about what to eat in France, it’s just as important to consider what to drink!
To help you decide which wines to try or regions to visit, here is a quick guide to France’s most famous wine regions.
Bordeaux: The Heart of Fine Red Wine
Bordeaux is perhaps the most famous wine region in the world, renowned for its red blends made primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. In fact, the region is so iconic that we even have a colour named after it!
Bordeaux reds are celebrated for their depth, complexity, and remarkable ability to age beautifully over time. These wines are undeniably linked to the region’s rich history and prestigious reputation.
Burgundy: Where Terroir is King
Burgundy (or Bourgogne in French) is another top wine-producing region, famous for its exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Burgundy wines are known for their expressive nature—meaning that wines from different villages, or even different vineyards within the same village, can taste remarkably distinct. This is due to the region’s focus on terroir, the unique combination of soil, climate, and craftsmanship that gives each wine its character.
A visit to Burgundy offers not only world-class wine tastings but also the opportunity to explore the picturesque countryside and historic towns like Dijon and Beaune.
Champagne: Bubbles from the Source
Did you know that sparkling wine can only carry the name Champagne, if it comes from this specific region in France? So there’s no better place to taste the finest bubbles, and maybe even celebrate a special occasion!
The Champagne region is also a popular wedding destination—after all, what’s a wedding without Champagne? A tour through this region will take you to historic champagne houses, where you can sample a variety of vintages and learn about the traditional process behind every bottle.
Rhône Valley: Powerful Reds and Bold Flavours
The Rhône Valley is an expansive region in southeastern France, often divided into the Northern and Southern Rhône. Due to its size, the wines from the north and south vary greatly in style and character.
The southern part of the Rhône, particularly Châteauneuf-du-Pape, is renowned for its powerful Grenache-based blends, which are both fruity and spicy. In contrast, northern Rhône is famous for its rich and often smoky Syrah wines, known for their bold, spicy flavours and complexity.
Alsace: Aromatic Whites
If you’re a fan of white wines, Alsace, located near the German border, is the place to visit.
The region is famous for its dry, aromatic whites like Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Gris. Alsace is unique in France for its strong German influence, a reflection of its history when the borders between the two countries shifted. Today, the region remains a beautiful blend of French and German culture.
The picturesque villages and vineyards nestled at the base of the Vosges Mountains make Alsace an idyllic destination for a wine-tasting tour.
Provence: Rosé Perfection
Provence is world-famous for producing light, dry rosé—the perfect wine for warm summer days along the Côte d’Azur. Rosé from this region is fresh and fruity, often paired with seafood or Mediterranean dishes, making it an ideal choice for coastal dining.
After visiting Provence, a chilled glass of rosé will forever remind you of sunny days spent along the beautiful French coast.
Final Thoughts on What to Eat in France
France’s food culture is a true reflection of its rich history, regional diversity, and passion for quality ingredients. Whether you’re indulging in buttery pastries, feasting on a classic dish like Coq au Vin, or enjoying an apéritif, there’s always something new and delicious to try in France.
Hopefully this blog post has given you a better idea of what to eat in France, and inspired you to try a range of different classic and regional dishes.
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