The cuisine of France is celebrated for its rich flavors, regional diversity, and culinary artistry. From the buttery pastries of Paris to the hearty cassoulets of the south, French cuisine offers something for every palate. Key components include fresh, high-quality ingredients, traditional techniques, and a deep respect for food and dining as a cultural experience. Whether it’s the simplicity of a baguette and cheese or the complexity of haute cuisine, French food is both an art and a pleasure.
Jump To a Section Below
Provence
In beautiful sunny Provence and the French Riviera the sun is hot and the cuisine is inspired by neighbouring Italy. Olive oil is used rather than butter or lard and garlic is a common seasoning. Try Bouillabase, which is a hearty fish soup that is seasoned with saffron. Other popular dishes that come from this region include ratatouille and salade Nicoise.
Paris
In the capital you will find a fantastic selection of bakeries, cafes, open-air markets and chic restaurants offering delicious treats. This city is the birthplace of Haute Cuisine and Nouvelle Cuisine and it is where you will find some of the most modern and innovative food in the country. The nine restaurants boasting three Michelin stars would attract any gourmand. Head to Le Chateaubriand for chic ‘bistronomy’, or L’Arpége for more classic fare.
Alsace
In Alsace and the surrounding area you will find a lot of foods that are influenced by German culture, including sausages and sauerkraut. Also, comfort foods such as Apple Tart and Quiche Lorraine come from this area. Pork and goose are popular meats here and much of the cooking is done with lard.
Dijon mustard from Burgundy
Burgundy
The Burgundy region has always been known for its wine production. Also, this region has the most Michelin starred restaurants outside of Paris. Burgundy is home to the town of Dijon, which gives its name to the spicy mustard. The signature dish is beef bourguignon, which is a beef stew with red wine. Also, this region is the best place to sample escargot.
Normandy
Due to the long coastline of Normandy in Northern France, this region is known for its seafood dishes. Thick, rich stews are also a common meal here and since the land provides good pasture for dairy cows the local food is traditionally cooked with a lot of cream or butter. The soil is not too fertile except for apple trees, so apple dishes are very popular.
Central France
The soil is very rich and fertile in the Loire Valley, so the cuisine of this region includes plenty of pears, cherries, melons and strawberries. The meat that is often used is veal, beef, lamb, game or fish. Central France is also known for its delicious goat cheese and regional mushrooms.
Fresh fish from the island of Corsica
Corsica
An island in the Mediterranean, it comes as no surprise that Corsican cuisine features a lot of fish. It also includes pork, which is made into sausage and ham. The produce that grows in the area, such as figs, nectarines, clementine’s and lemons are incorporated into the cuisine.
Rhone
In the traditional recipes from the Rhone Valley and Lyon you will see an abundance of fresh produce and fresh water fish from the many clear streams running through the area. Also, this region is known for a wide range of sausages and speciality cheeses.
Poitou-Charentes
This region of France is known for producing the very best butter and cheese in the country. You can find delicious oysters in the Oléron-Marennes basin and mussels from the Bay of Aiguillon. Limousin is where you will find the very high quality Limousin cattle and the woodland areas offer excellent mushrooms and game.
Classic cassoulet from Bordeaux
Bordeaux
The region of Bordeaux also includes Perigord, Gascony and Basque country. This region is known for its wine, as well as excellent sea and stream fishing. From the Pyrenees comes high quality lamb and excellent sheep cheeses. This is the region to head if you are looking for superb farm-to-table hearty home cooking.
The Basque country has its own distinctive culture and cuisine and the food there is amazing. The signature dish is cassoulet, which contains baked white beans and duck or goose and is similar to a stew or a casserole.
Toulouse
In this region you will find duck and goose, as well as beans, sausage, milk-fed lamb, sheep cheese and lentils. The soil here is rich and volcanic, which means that the cheese produced in this region is of very high quality. Mineral water is also produced in this region.
Roussillon
This region offers cooking that is heavily influenced by Spanish cuisine and some of the popular ingredients include sheep, fish and sausages. For example, dishes such as brandade (puree of dried cod wrapped in mangold leaves) are influenced by Catalonia. Game and rich goat cheese are also common in this area.
This has been a whirlwind journey through the culinary regions of France, each one offering its own unique collection of delicious dishes. Inspired by the cuisine on show? Indulge in a 15-course tasting menu of French culinary discovery at New York’s Michelin starred Picholine.
Tom’s travel writings are a testament to his insatiable curiosity and love for the road less traveled. Eschewing the typical tourist spots, Tom has built a reputation for uncovering hidden gems known only to locals.
From secluded mountain villages in the Himalayas to untouched beaches in the South Pacific, his adventures have taken him to the world’s most undiscovered corners.