How to eat like the French

The French certainly know how to cook, but they also know how to eat. In France, good food is taken very seriously and meals are prepared with seasonal ingredients and consumed in a leisurely fashion. 

Thinking of traveling to France? Here’s our advice for making the most of the country’s top-notch culinary scene, and eating like the French while you’re there. It’s not all about the baguettes and croissants (although, let’s be real, they’re going to feature heavily). Let’s dive into the details of how to eat like the French.

Breakfast

Days in France often begin sweet, light, and caffeinated. We’re talking bread slathered with butter and jam, brioche, or fresh pastries such as the iconic pain au chocolat or croissant, washed down with fresh fruit juice. Coffee is a must — made in a cafetière (or French press).

Baked eggs are popular at home if you’ve got more time. Simply blend eggs with cream and cheese, top with some herbs, and oven-bake in a ramekin for a soft, savory, protein-rich breakfast.

Keeping caffeinated

When it comes to daily coffees, there’s a schedule to follow. Morning coffee is typically drunk with milk (café au lait), and in the afternoon or after a meal, the French drink a strong black espresso (un café).

Baguette

The humble baguette is a staple of French diets. This thin loaf, around a meter long, must be made on-site at the boulangerie (bakery) and is used for pretty much everything. It’s a base for sandwiches, an accompaniment to soup, cheese, or salads, and has a seat at every breakfast table. Handily, they’re available in many bakeries around the world. Be sure to buy them in pairs — you’ll need a second one before you know it. And don’t slice them with a knife, the true French way to tuck into a baguette is to tear it into chunks with your hands.

Crêpes

These delicious, thin-folded pancakes are a must-try while you’re in France. Crêpes are delightfully versatile — popular sweet fillings include banana, Nutella, or a combination of lemon juice and sugar. Meanwhile, savory crepes might include cheese, ham, and egg. In the bigger cities, you’re never far from a crêperie, but they’re also easy to make at home.

What to expect: the format of a French main meal

Some formal French meals have seven courses(!), but you’re more likely to have just three. First is the hors d'œuvre or entrée, which is a small plate or soup to get the meal started. The main course is called the plat principal, and might be meat or seafood with fresh veg, or a hearty stew like boeuf bourguignon.

The big decision: dessert ou fromage?

The third course can take two very tasty forms — a sweet dessert or a cheese plate. If you have a sweet tooth, you’re in good hands as the French do dessert very well. Try crème brûlée, a creamy vanilla custard with a caramelized sugar topping, and tarte tatin, a fruit tart baked upside down and then flipped over to reveal a swirl of fresh apple or pear slices. If you’re feeling savory, instead choose a cheese course — from stinky blues to oozing camembert wheels, fromage is another type of food that France is, rightly, famous for.

What time to dine?

Your main meal of the day doesn’t have to be dinner. In France, it’s just as common to have your main three-course meal at lunchtime (at 1pm) and a smaller dinner in the evening (from 8pm onwards).

Pre-or post-meal tipples

The French love a tiny drink before and after a meal, either to encourage the appetite or to help digestion — although there’s no real science to back this up. An apéritif, or an apéro (colloquial), is a small alcoholic drink served before the meal — pastis is a classic. Meanwhile, a digestif comes after and is often a fortified wine, liqueur, or brandy.

Trying regional cuisine is a must

Mainland metropolitan France is divided into 13 regions. The northernmost tip cozying up to Belgium and the English Channel has a different climate from the southern coast which borders the Mediterranean Sea. Each of these regions boasts an individual culinary character.

Bordeaux and Burgundy are known for their wines and cheeses, and south-eastern France is the home of dauphinois potatoes (creamy comfort food heaven). Provence and Côte d’Azur in the south have a Mediterranean vibe with olives and citrus flavors, while the fresh mussels and fish in Normandy and Brittany will satisfy seafood lovers.

The city of Paris is home to over 9,000 restaurants, including over 100 with Michelin stars, giving you ample opportunity for world-class dining. The capital is also a bustling cosmopolitan city, so you’re able to find dishes from all around the world.

Happy dining!