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20 Must-Try Traditional French Food in Paris

by Kayla D. Martinez
4 mins read
Traditional french food in paris

Parisian cuisine is celebrated worldwide for its rich flavors, exquisite techniques, and timeless dishes that embody French culinary heritage.

From the comforting warmth of Soupe ร  l’Oignon to the indulgent decadence of Crรจme Brรปlรฉe, each dish offers a glimpse into the culinary expertise and passion that describe French cooking.

And thatโ€™s why, today, in this blog post, we will explore the heart and soul of Parisian cuisineโ€”the 20 best traditional French foods in Paris that are a must-try for anyone visiting Paris.

Read on to find out!

20 Traditional French Foods to Try in Paris

France is famous for its exceptional, freshly produced food worldwide.

Therefore, whenever you visit Paris, you should try the different traditional French foods that are usually rich in flavor, and you should also consider what to eat in Paris on a budget.

Letโ€™s get into the details:

Traditional French Soups and Starters

French food is known for its elegance and delicate flavors, and the journey frequently begins with a delectable selection of soups and starters.

Soupe ร  lโ€™oignon (French Onion Soup)

Soupe ร  lโ€™oignon, or French onion soup, is a quintessential dish in traditional French cuisine, particularly beloved in Paris. It features caramelized, thinly sliced onions simmered to sweetness in a rich beef or chicken broth, creating a savory-sweet flavor contrast.

Soupe ร  lโ€™oignon
Soupe ร  lโ€™oignon

The soup is topped with slices of baguette or toasted bread and generously covered with melted Gruyรจre or Emmental cheese. A final touch involves briefly broiling the soup to achieve a golden, bubbly cheese crust.

Adding a splash of wine or brandy enriches the depth of flavors, making it an iconic and affordable option found throughout Parisian cafes and restaurants.

Escargots de Bourgogne (Burgundy Snails)

Escargots de Bourgogne is a traditional French dish originating from Burgundy, France. It involves snails that are removed from their shells, cleaned, and cooked in a flavorful mixture of garlic, parsley, and butter.

Escargots de Bourgogne
Escargots de Bourgogne

After cooking, the snails are placed back into their shells and baked until tender. This delicacy is typically served in snail shells, accompanied by a crusty baguette and a glass of white wine.ย Escargots de Bourgogne has become a staple on menus across France, especially in Paris, celebrated for its rich flavors and cultural significance in French gastronomy.

Foie Gras

Foie gras is a prized yet controversial French delicacy made from the liver of a duck or goose, fattened through a process called gavage.

Renowned for its rich, buttery flavor, foie gras can be served in various styles, including whole, mousse, pรขtรฉ, and terrines, often paired with bread or crackers. Historically significant, it is recognized as part of France’s cultural and gastronomical heritage.ย 

Foie Gras
Foie Gras

However, the force-feeding method used in its production raises animal welfare concerns, leading to its ban in several countries. Despite the controversy, foie gras remains a celebrated dish in Parisian cuisine.

Traditional Main Courses in Paris

Main courses are not just dishes; they are experiences where every bite is a celebration of flavor and culinary heritage. So, let’s dive into the heart of Parisian dining and discover the magic they bring to the table:

Boeuf Bourguignon

Boeuf Bourguignon is a classic French beef stew originating from Burgundy, France, and is a staple of traditional French cuisine. Key ingredients include beef, Burgundy wine, beef broth, bacon, pearl onions, mushrooms, carrots, and herbs like thyme and bay leaves.

Boeuf Bourguignon
Boeuf Bourguignon

This hearty dish is often served over boiled or mashed potatoes, pasta, or other starches, making it a quintessential French comfort food. Commonly found in Parisian bistros and restaurants, Boeuf Bourguignon is celebrated for its rich flavors and warming qualities, embodying the essence of traditional French cooking.

Coq au Vin

Coq au Vin, meaning “rooster in wine,” features chicken braised slowly in red wine, which gives it a rich and complex flavor. This traditional French fare also includes crispy bacon lardons, earthy mushrooms, sweet pearl onions, garlic, thyme, parsley, and bay leaf, creating a deep, savory taste. 

Coq au Vin
Coq au Vin

Its origins are rooted in rustic, peasant-style cooking, which gained widespread popularity in the 20th century. Today, Coq au Vin is a staple in Parisian bistros and brasseries, celebrated for its tender chicken and strong, aromatic sauce, making it a beloved part of French cuisine.

Cassoulet

Cassoulet originated from the Languedoc region, specifically Castelnaudary. This hearty, slow-cooked bean stew typically features a mix of meats such as pork, duck confit, and lamb or mutton. Then combined with white beans that absorb the rich flavors of the meats and aromatics like onions, garlic, thyme, and bay leaf.

Cassoulet
Cassoulet

Despite its rustic, peasant origins dating back to the 14th century, cassoulet has become an iconic part of French cuisine. Parisian bistros and restaurants offer their own interpretations, making this comforting dish a must-try in Paris’s culinary scene.

Blanquette de Veau

Blanquette de veau, or “white veal stew,” features tender veal simmered slowly to become succulent and soft, immersed in a creamy white sauce called veloutรฉ, made from the cooking liquid and thickened with a roux.

Blanquette de Veau
Blanquette de Veau

The stew is then enhanced with aromatic vegetables like carrots, onions, and mushrooms, infusing it with earthy flavors. 

Blanquette de veau evokes nostalgic feelings of home-cooked meals and family gatherings. Despite its elegant appearance, it is relatively simple to prepare, making it a beloved and approachable dish found on many traditional Parisian bistro menus.

Seafood Dishes in Paris

From the bustling markets to the quaint bistros tucked away in cobblestone alleys, seafood takes center stage on many menus.

Parisians have mastered the art of transforming the ocean’s treasures into culinary poetry, and here are two stellar performances that deserve a standing ovation.

Bouillabaisse

Bouillabaisse is a traditional French seafood stew that originated in Marseille, known for its rich Provenรงal flavors. This iconic dish features a variety of fresh Mediterranean seafood, such as rockfish, sea bream, and monkfish, along with shellfish like mussels and clams. 

Bouillabaisse
Bouillabaisse

The broth, infused with aromatic herbs and vegetables like fennel, leeks, and tomatoes, is enhanced by sautรฉing these ingredients in olive oil and adding fish stock, white wine, and saffron.

While bouillabaisse is a specialty of Marseille, it is also available in many seafood restaurants in Paris, offering a taste of southern French cuisine in the capital.

Moules Mariniรจres

Moules Mariniรจres, a staple of French gastronomy, originated in coastal regions where it has become a beloved traditional dish. This classic French preparation features fresh mussels cooked in a flavorful sauce made from white wine, shallots, garlic, butter, and parsley.ย 

Moules Mariniรจres
Moules Mariniรจres

Known for its simplicity and sophistication, Moules Mariniรจres is a popular choice in Parisian bistros, often served as part of a “Moules Frites” dish with French fries. The dish showcases the natural briny sweetness of mussels, which is complemented by the aromatic and rich white wine sauce.

French Cheese and Dairy Delights in Paris

When it comes to indulging in the delectable world of French cheeses, Paris is a playground for your taste buds.

Fromage (Cheese)

French cheese, or “Fromage,” is an integral part of traditional French cuisine. With over 1,200 varieties, France offers a remarkable range of cheeses, each with its own unique flavor and texture. 

Fromage
Fromage

Classic varieties include Brie and Camembert, soft and creamy with bloomy rinds; Comtรฉ, a hard cheese with a nutty, fruity taste from the Jura mountains; Roquefort, a pungent, sharp blue cheese made from sheep’s milk; and goat cheese, or chรจvre, which can range from fresh and tangy to aged and creamy. 

In Paris, numerous cheese shops (Fromageries) and markets provide opportunities to explore these diverse flavors, representing the rich tradition of French cheesemaking.

Crรจme Brรปlรฉe

Crรจme brรปlรฉe, a classic French dessert originating in the 18th century, features a creamy custard base of egg yolks, sugar, and cream, often flavored with vanilla.

Crรจme Brรปlรฉe
Crรจme Brรปlรฉe

Its hallmark is the contrast between the smooth custard and the caramelized sugar layer on top, offering a delightful texture.

They are typically enjoyed with regional variations, like citrus or spices in France. Modern chefs also improvise with ingredients such as fruits or nuts. Paris features renowned pastry chef’s shops and dessert shops celebrated for traditional and creative interpretations of crรจme brรปlรฉe.

Traditional French Breads and Pastries

In Paris, every corner seems to hide a boulangerie, where the air is thick with the aromatic scent of freshly baked delights.

Baguette

The baguette is an iconic French food deeply rooted in the countryโ€™s culinary tradition. A perfect baguette features a golden, crisp crust and a soft, airy, slightly chewy interior with a yeasty, fragrant aroma.

Baguette
Baguette

Its flavor strikes a perfect balance between tanginess and sweetness. The elongated, slender shape and lightweight material should produce a hollow sound when tapped, indicating thorough baking.

In Paris, various bakeries are well-known for their traditional baguettes, crafted with quality ingredients and expert fermentation techniques. Hence, enjoying a fresh baguette on the day of baking ensures optimal taste and texture, highlighting its enduring significance in French gastronomy.

Croissants

Croissants are a classic French pastry with origins dating back to the 18th century. The classic butter croissant epitomizes French baking and is renowned for its rich, flaky layers and buttery taste. 

Croissant
Croissant

While variations like almond, chocolate, or savory options exist, the traditional butter croissant remains the most iconic. In Paris, several bakeries are celebrated for their exceptional croissants, known for their perfectly risen, airy texture and delicious flavor profiles.

For the best experience, you can enjoy croissants freshly baked by visiting the bakeries early, requesting them warm (“chaud”) to enhance their flavor, and pairing them with coffee or hot chocolate.

Pain au Chocolat

Pain au chocolat is a cherished French pastry consisting of flaky, buttery croissant dough enveloping a piece of dark chocolate. Its crisp, golden exterior contrasts with the soft, melted chocolate inside, offering a delightful blend of textures and flavors. 

Pain au Chocolat
Pain au Chocolat

Originating in France, pain au chocolat has become an iconic breakfast and snack item enjoyed nationwide. Renowned for its quality and craftsmanship, this pastry is a staple in French bakeries and cafes across Paris, where it is celebrated for its traditional preparation and rich taste experience.

French Traditional Desserts and Sweets

When it comes to indulging your sweet tooth, Paris is a playground of delectable delights. Let’s take a delightful journey through some Parisian pastry classics that are sure to make your taste buds dance with joy:

Tarte Tatin

Tarte Tatin is a classic French dessert originating from the late 19th century, famously created by the Tatin sisters at their Hรดtel Tatin in Lamotte-Beuvron, France.

Tarte Tatin
Tarte Tatin

This upside-down caramelized apple tart was born from a culinary accident, where apples caramelized in butter and sugar were topped with pastry and baked to create its signature caramelized top.

Unlike traditional apple pies, Tarte Tatin showcases beautifully caramelized apples on a flaky pastry crust, baked upside-down and then flipped for serving.

Popularized in Parisian restaurants like Maxim’s, it remains a beloved dish celebrated for its rich flavors and elegant presentation in the city’s pastry shops and cafes.

ร‰clair au Chocolat

The รฉclair au chocolat epitomizes French pรขtisserie in Paris with its delicate pรขte ร  choux, rich chocolate cream filling, and smooth chocolate glaze. 

ร‰clair au Chocolat
ร‰clair au Chocolat

Pastry chefs innovate with fruity varieties like passion fruit-raspberry, salted butter-caramel, and nutty options with caramelized pecans and vanilla cream. Dark, milk, and white chocolate variations just add to its appeal.

Celebrated for its creativity and classic appeal, the รฉclair au chocolat continues to delight Parisians and visitors alike with its diverse flavors and artistic presentations.

Macarons

Macarons are a cherished French delicacy, renowned for their intricate production process. The method involves sifting almond flour and powdered sugar, whipping egg whites to stiff peaks with granulated sugar, and carefully folding in the dry ingredients to achieve a smooth batter. After piping the batter into circles and allowing it to rest, macarons are baked until they form smooth, shiny shells. 

Macarons
Macarons

Typically filled with buttercream or ganache, they offer a delightful contrast of textures. In Paris, iconic shops like Ladurรฉe and Pierre Hermรฉ are celebrated for their exceptional macarons, contributing to the pastry’s status as a quintessential French treat deeply embedded in culinary culture.

Regional French Specialties in Paris

When you’re wandering the charming streets of Paris, your taste buds are in for a treat with the following regional specialties:

Ratatouille

Ratatouille is a traditional vegetable stew originating from the French Riviera capital city of Nice. It combines summer vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions, with aromatic herbs such as thyme and basil. 

Ratatouille
Ratatouille

While not originally from Paris, Ratatouille has indeed found popularity in the city’s classic French bistros that specialize in Provenรงal cuisine. Typically, enjoyed during the summer when vegetables are in season, it may not be available year-round in restaurants.

It’s important to distinguish traditional Ratatouille from the layered vegetable tian featured in the film “Ratatouille,” which is baked rather than simmered. For an authentic taste, you can visit Parisian restaurants in summer to savor this colorful and flavorful vegetable stew.

Quiche Lorraine

Quiche Lorraine is a classic French tart featuring a flaky pastry crust filled with creamy egg custard and chunks of salty bacon. 

Originating from northeastern France’s Lorraine region in the 16th century, it was initially made with leftover bread dough, bacon, cream, and eggs.

Quiche Lorraine
Quiche Lorraine

Popularized nationwide in the 1870s by Alsatian refugees after the Franco-Prussian War, it traditionally excludes cheese, though modern versions often incorporate Gruyรจre or Comtรฉ. 

In Paris, it remains a beloved dish, celebrated for its rich history and delicious flavors, available at select bakeries renowned for their authentic renditions.

French Wine and Champagne

Paris offers a rich tapestry of French wine and champagne experiences, inviting visitors to delve into the country’s diverse viticultural offerings. 

From bold Bordeaux to elegant Burgundies and renowned champagnes, the city’s wine bars and cellars provide curated selections and knowledgeable sommeliers to enhance tasting journeys. 

French Wine and Champagne
French Wine and Champagne

Champagne, deeply integrated into Parisian culture, graces many bistro tables and fine dining menus alike, featuring a spectrum from prestigious houses to boutique growers. 

Traditional Parisian dishes like croque monsieur and local specialties such as Reims ham and Chaource cheese complement champagne perfectly, celebrating the synergy between Parisian cuisine and France’s iconic sparkling wine.ย 

You can also consider taking a luxury Champagne tour from Paris for delightful Champagne-tasting sessions in the Champagne regionโ€™s finest and oldest Champagne houses.

Final Thoughts

Paris is not just the city of lights and love but also a culinary paradise for food lovers, offering an incredible array of traditional French food in Paris that promises to enchant your palate.

From the rich, comforting Soupe ร  lโ€™oignon to the bold flavors of Boeuf Bourguignon, every bite tells a story of flavor, tradition, and the art of French cooking.

A true delight for every tastebud!

So, what are you waiting for?

Pack your bags, grab your appetite, and start your delicious journey through the culinary landscape of Paris. Bon appรฉtit!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are 5 traditional foods in France?

Baguette, Escargot, Coq au vin, Ratatouille, and Crรจme brรปlรฉe are the top 5 traditional foods that offer a delightful journey through the heart of French culinary tradition!

What is a typical French lunch in Paris?

A leisurely lunch in Paris often features a fresh baguette, exquisite cheese, and perhaps a quiche or saladโ€”a perfect balance of flavor and sophistication.

What is France’s most eaten food?

Baguette, the quintessential French bread, holds its place as a daily staple, enjoyed by many across the country with a variety of complements.

What is a typical French breakfast in Paris?

A typical French breakfast starts with a croissant or bread with butter or jam.

What is the national dish of Paris?

The national dish of France is pot-au-feu, prepared with stewed meats and vegetables.

What is the most popular meal in Paris?

In Paris, the following foods, such as baguette, macaron, and onion soup, take the crown as popular street foods, catering to every palate!

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