What takes a trip to France to the next level, is the opportunity to savour incredible French food. France is a country known for its exquisite cuisine, thus finding scrumptious things to eat in France is not hard. But how daring are you? Have you slurped an oyster before, or handled frogs’ legs? Will you try a steak tartare or a pot of rillettes?
I’ve been tasting my way through France for many years, especially since moving here. New opportunities to try a classic French dish arise often. From roasted wild boar to guinea hen with chestnuts to pisssaladiére, I am always intrigued by a new dish and usually delighted by the gastronomic pleasure.
Diving into French cuisine is the surest way to participate intimately in the French culture. Here are 29 things to eat in France that you’ll want to try!
29 Mouth-Watering Things To Eat In France
Essential Things To Eat In France
1. The French Baguette
No trip to France is complete without sinking your teeth into a crunchy baguette. As you bite off the end, you are diving into an emblem of French cultural heritage. As French President Emmanuel Macron says, the French baguette is “250 grams of magic and perfection.” No wonder it was given UNESCO Heritage status on November 30, 2022.
Part of the fun of being in France is watching how the French interact with their beloved baguette. Under the arm, in the bicycle basket, paired with cheese, and used to clean up the plate.
Here is how the French eat their baguettes.
2. Flaky Croissants
One of the best things to eat in France is a croissant. Ok. More than one. You may want to start every morning with a croissant. The buttery the better. The flakiest are the best. I’ve done the heavy lifting for you and tasted a lot of croissants to come up with the best croissants in Paris. Don’t forget to try the outstanding variation, the pain au chocolat!
Entrées You Must Try In France
3. Oeufs Mayonnaise
Just like a devilled egg – right? No. Not in France. This French bistro classic has become a favourite. What makes it so good? It’s the homemade mayonnaise. If you order it in a restaurant you must ask if the mayonnaise is “fait-maison” or homemade. Oeufs mayonnaise with the mayonnaise draped over the perfectly hard-boiled eggs is simple yet divine.
4. Foie Gras
Foie gras. Honestly, I avoided it for a while. It’s a deluxe delicacy but one that comes with controversy. While I travelled through the Dordogne (Sarlat being the cradle of foie gras) I didn’t even taste it due to the ethical concerns about its production.
But, the French love foie gras, especially for special occasions. Hanging out with my French friends, I’ve delighted in foie gras, a rich, buttery treat, made from the fattened liver of ducks or geese. Place a small piece of foie gras on a crunchy baguette or savour it with a fork right off the plate. I’ve discovered that foie gras is not just foie gras. The French have their secret foie gras recipes, each with subtle differences in flavour. Foie gras is a whole world of gastronomic luxury to discover.
5. Oysters
I’d never had any interest in eating oysters. Until I was immersed in the French culture. The French love their oysters. Crates of oysters are stacked on the sidewalks in December while Parisian cafés have seafood and oyster bars set up outside. Dinner parties often start with a platter of opened oysters and lemon wedges.
Give those briny creatures a try! Decide which size to eat (I like #3 oysters), tip the shell up to your lips, and chew the oyster for the best French gastronomic experience.
6. Escargots
You’ve got to try escargots (snails) at least once in a lifetime! Served in a snail dish with special tongs and a small two-pronged snail fork, eating snails is a gastronomic adventure. Once you’ve pulled the meat out of the shell, pop the entire snail into your mouth! Snails. Garlicky butter. Parsely. It’s all rather divine and oh, so French!
7. Rillettes de la Sarthe
If you’ve ever met anyone from La Sarthe, a department in the Pays-de-la-Loire region of France, they will proudly present you with their regional speciality, a pot of rillettes, to savour. Don’t be surprised by the layer of fat sitting on top of the pork, it’s there to keep the rillettes fresh. Scrape away the fat and what lies underneath are tender bits of pork that have been slow-cooked. A Sarthois tradition, rillettes are made simply from pork, the fat from pork, and salt and pepper. Talk to a Sarthois, they will defend their favourite make of rillettes to the end! Spread rillettes on a crusty baguette for apéro or make a delicious lunchtime sandwich.
Main Course In France: Traditional French Cuisine
8. Moules Frites
Of all the things to eat in France, you just have to indulge in a steaming pot of mussels (moules) and a side order of french fries (frites). It’s an unforgettable French experience when a huge pot of steaming mussels is placed before you. I learned how to eat mussels by the sea in Brittany, France.
Usually cooked in a broth of white wine, shallots, garlic, parsley, and sometimes cream, mussels are easy to make. Mussels are readily available at the outdoor markets in France.
9. Quiche Lorraine
Quiche Lorraine is a classic French savoury tart that originated in the region of Lorraine. It is renowned for its rich and flavourful filling made with eggs, cream, bacon (lardons), and cheese all baked in a flaky pie crust. Quiche Lorraine is a very versatile dish as it can be served hot or cold making it a great dish for lunch, dinner, and picnics. Quiche Lorraine is a beloved classic in French cuisine.
You’ll find all variations of this popular dish in France. Spinach and goat cheese. Vegetable. Salmon and spinach. Pictured above is my variation using leeks.
10. Steak Tartare
Steak tartare is a popular dish that I’ve only been brave enough to try once. It’s a raw beef hamburger served on a plate with French fries. No bun included. The skill in making this such a popular dish is the quality of the beef and how it is finely chopped. What makes it so irresistible is the onions, capers, Worcestershire sauce, mustard and often a raw egg yolk. Will you give it a try?
11. Boeuf Bourguignon
Boeuf Bourguignon is a classic French beef stew that originated from the Burgundy (Bourgogne) region of France. It is a heart dish known for its tender beef pieces, rich sauce, pearl onions, and delicious flavour. I add a bit of cognac to my Boeuf Bourguignon and it takes the depth of flavour to a new level! I have served it around the table to my French friends who loved it. Here is the boeuf bourguignon recipe I love to use.
12. Confit de Canard (Duck Confit)
Of all the things to eat in France, confit de canard is one to add to the list of “must-try.” Originating in southwest France, confit de canard is a symbol of French culinary tradition and… it’s simply delicious.
I’ve been served confit de canard at several friends’ houses and it is a French dish that involves cooking duck legs slowly at a low temperature under their fat. This long cooking process renders the duck meat tender and flavourful. A traditional recipe from centuries ago, the method of cooking the duck legs under the fat also served as a preservation technique. The duck was stored in the fat for extended periods.
13. Galettes
Galettes are one of the essential things to eat in France. They have been a traditional food for centuries, particularly in regions like Brittany, where they are ingrained in the local culinary heritage. A savoury crêpe made with buckwheat flour, they are usually filled with ham, cheese, eggs, and/or vegetables. The perfect accompaniment to buckwheat galettes is a bowl of dry cider, another speciality of Brittany.
14. French Onion Soup
French onion soup. Soupe à l’oignon. Caramelized onions, melted cheese, delicious broth, toasted baguette. What’s not to like? Served piping hot in oven-proof bowls this is a French classic.
15. Raclette
If you’re visiting in the winter, raclette is one of the best things to eat in France! Think meat (lots of it), potatoes, pickles, covered melted cheese. Although it is a dish that originates from Switzerland, the minute a cool wind blows in the fall, the French start talking about raclette! It’s a fun dish to share amongst friends.
16. Coquille Saint-Jacques
With all its coastal regions, seafood is plentiful in France. One of the best French dishes is Coquille Sainr-Jacques. Tender scallops in a creamy sauce often made with white wine, shallots, and herbs. All topped with a perfect gratin of bread crumbs and cheese.
I love buying scallops at the markets in France. The fishmonger will happily open the shells and hand over the scallops. Scallops are also found in many other French dishes. One of my recent favourites was raw scallops that had been marinated in citrus juices beautifully presented on the shells.
Some of the best scallops come from Honfleur, Normandy one of the must-see stops on a trip through this region of France.
17. Croque Monsieur
It’s a classic French comfort food! A French sandwich which is simple and yet indulgent. It’s a ham sandwich but, the addition of béchamel sauce takes it to a new level. Topped with grated Gruyère or Emmental and more béchamel sauce, it truly is one of the things to eat in France that you need to try – at least once!
And the Croque Madame? A Croque Monsieur with the addition of a poached or fried egg placed on top.
Vegetables In France
It’s a known fact that the French are huge meat and seafood eaters. If you’re travelling to Paris, here are some excellent vegetarian and vegan restaurants to try.
18. Ratatouille
Ratatouille, a dish from the region of Provence, is a vegetable dish consisting of eggplants, zucchini, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, and garlic. The vegetables are seasoned with basil, thyme, and oregano and slow-cooked until tender. It’s the perfect summer dish either as a side or a main. It’s one of the things to eat in France that you simply must try, especially if you are in Provence.
Potatoes In France
19. Tartiflette
Tartiflette, I guess, is the closest food the French have to scalloped potatoes. This delicious French potato dish hails from the Savoie region of the French Alps. Thinly sliced potatoes are layers with lardon (square pieces of bacon) and onions and then covered with layers of reblochon cheese. It’s to die for! At the food stall at the Paris Christmas Markets, there are huge dishes of tartiflette. I can never resist standing at the counter with a steaming tartiflette and a glass of red wine.
20. Aligot
Aligot is a traditional French dish from the Aveyron department in southern France. While staying in Peyre, an enchanting town nestled in the Aveyron’s Tarn Valley I first indulged.
This divine French dish is decadent and oh, so delicious. Aligot is made with mashed potatoes, butter, garlic, and melted cheese. Typically Languiole cheese is used but Cantal or Tomme work as well. The potatoes are whipped to a creamy and elastic consistency. It makes the perfect companion to grilled meat.
Fun Fact About This Stretchy Traditional French Dish:
The cheese used to make Aligot needs to go stringy when heated which makes the potato dish super stretchy. You know how the French love their food. There is even a festival that includes a stretching contest to see who can make the stretchiest aligot!
The Cheese Platter
Of all the things to eat in France, cheese is a must! The cheese course in France typically follows the main course and precedes the dessert. But what to choose? With so many varieties of cheese, a trip to a French cheese shop (fromagerie) can be a bit overwhelming. Typically the French cheese course involves a selection of cheeses ranging from soft and creamy to firm and pungent! Here are some of my favourite French cheeses.
21. Comté
Comté, a renowned French cheese, comes from the Jura mountains in the Franche-Comté region near the Swiss border. An unpasteurised cow’s milk cheese, Comté has unparalleled flavour! It’s versatile and perfect for picnics, and cheeseboards and also grated or melted for a fondue. When you ask for Comté, you will always be asked for the age of the cheese that you desire. I usually go with the middle choice, around 14-18 months. Pair it with a crusty baguette. You’ll be in French heaven!
French Savoir-Vivre: Have you ever added butter to your baguette piece and then layered the cheese on top? I mean, it’s the ultimate in extravagance. And flavour. It takes the experience of partaking in cheese to a new level! The French know how to live!
22. Sainte-Maure de Touraine
Goat cheeses. It’s a tough decision for me. I love little rounds of Rocamadour cheese that hail from the pilgrimage town of Rocamadour.
But, my current favourite goat cheese is Sainte-Maure de Touraine. The cheese, named after the town Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine in the picturesque Loire Valley with all the châteaux, is renowned for its long cylindrical shape, a straw running through the centre and black rind. The cheese is rolled in ash and the straw running through the middle allows for air circulation during the ageing process. It has a nutty flavour and a creamy texture and is divine. Why not pair it with a Loire Valley wine?
23. Camembert de Normandie
Is anything more French than Camembert cheese? Perhaps a beret. A beloved French cheese that hails from one of my favourite regions of France, Normandy, this creamy, rich cheese is to die for, especially when it has been left out of the fridge for a while.
French Savoir-Vivre: When choosing a Camembert, open the round balsa box and push your thumb into the cheese. Soft? It’s ripe and perfect for eating.
24. Saint-Nectaire
Saint-Nectaire hails from the Auvergne region of France. I was first introduced to Saint-Nectaire, a semi-soft washed rind cheese, by a friend who lives in the Auvergne. What makes this famous French cheese so delicious is that it is made from the Salers cows that feed on the volcanic pastures in the region. It quickly soared to the top of my favourite types of cheeses in France.
Read More |
- 15 French Cheeses You Must Try
- How To Put Together A French Cheese Board
- 8 Fantastic Fromageries in Paris
French Desserts To Die For
Of all the things to eat in France, desserts/ pâtisseries are my favourite! I’ve already assembled a list of my favourite Pâtisseries in Paris – where to go in the French capital and what to pick! Here are a few of my top picks.
25. The Tart
Fresh fruit tarts are to die for in France. I love apricot. Or raspberry in season. Oh and there’s quince. And fig. The choice is endless. Taste many tarts and you’ll find your favourite and become very discerning about the buttery, flaky pie crust!
My all-time favourite tart in France is the lemon tart. Zesty and sweet. Super simple. Exquisite. Will you choose it meringuée (with meringue on top) or not?
26. Tarte Tatin
Does French pastry get any better than the Tarte Tatin with its luscious caramelized apples perched atop a buttery crust? This upside-down tart is irresistible! The caramelized apples (or pears, as seen above) make a perfect balance between sweetness and tartness. It all comes together to make for a scrumptious French dessert.
27. Crème Brûlée
Crème Brulée is a timeless classic. The creamy custard topped with brittle caramelized sugar makes the perfect contrast. Crème Brulée. It’s so simple and yet irresistible!
28. Paris Brest
The Paris Brest is made of choux pastry, filled with praline cream which is piped in so that it looks gorgeous and then hidden on the bottom layer, is a buttery crunchy praline concoction. Sprinkled on top are sliced almonds and icing sugar. What’s there not to like?!
29. Macarons
They’re small, colourful, and delicate. They are just the right bite-size for an afternoon snack. Macarons are indeed one of the delightful things to eat in France. Meringue-based cookies made with almond flour, and macarons have a chewy interior and a creamy filling. They are really to die for. Head to Ladurée or Pierre Hermé for a wide selection of flavours of this melt-in-your-mouth French classic.
This list of 29 scrumptious things to eat in France barely scrapes the surface of the most popular French foods. I hope you have an amazing gastronomic experience eating your way through Paris and further afield in France.
Until next time,
