Eat like a King: Must Try Foods in France

When one travels, one needs to eat. If you’re in France, then you’ve entered a world of fine cuisine with dishes, and of course pastries, just waiting to be tried. Here are ten traditional French foods, most of them, I admit, are desserts; but hey that’s all part of being French.

#1: Escargot

If you’re going to try snails, you might as well try them in France. If you can, try to find a place that doesn’t just drown them in butter and cheese. The French traditional style usually has parsley in the mix somewhere, and while they are served with butter, they aren’t swimming in it.

#2: Fondue

Just like escargot, if you’re going to try fondue you might as well try it in France. There are three different types. Chocolate, which is usually served with fruit; cheese, which comes with breads, apples, and veg like broccoli and tomatoes; and oil, which you dip bits of meat and veg in to cook. Honestly you might as well try all three if you can! Each pairs fabulously with wine, by the way!

#3: Boeuf Bourguignon

A classic, rustic, French beef stew with a name that gives pause to those not in the know. The sound at the end is decidedly French, there isn’t a sound like that in the English language. The closest English pronunciation is ‘boor-GEE-nee-awn.’ Just point at it on the menu when you see it and your waiter will probably pronounce it for you while they take your order. It usually has carrots, potatoes and onions in a delicious beef and red wine base.

#4: Éclaires

A tube of puff pastry filled with whipped cream, and usually topped with a strip of chocolate icing. The E in éclaires is pronounced kind of like the letter A in English, or Eh in Canadian. Ask for some Eh-Clares and you’ll soon have yourself a delicious, portable, and super French snack. I’ve had them for breakfast too, because why not, I’m on vacation!

#5: Madeleines

You can find these everywhere, from the fanciest bakeries to the highway side gas station. It’s pretty much a nationally iconic dessert. I will say that Bonne Maman make excellent Madeleines that are perfect for road trip snackies. I’ve seen them in Canada, England, France, and even Ireland if I recall correctly. Grab some of these if you want a little authentic taste of France.

#6: Mille-Feuille

Mille-Feuilles translates to a thousand pages or thousand leaves. It’s puff pastry! It usually comes in three slices, each separated by custard and topped with icing. This is definitely a sit down dessert, so don’t go ordering a Mille-Feuilles expecting to be able to munch on it while you’re driving.

#8: Crème Brûlée

Exactly what the name means, burnt cream. Don’t worry though, it’s not burnt, just torched. The sugar on the top caramelises and if chocolate didn’t exist this would be my favourite desert. I haven’t found a best place to get this because it’s usually done pretty well in most places it’s offered.

#9: Crêpes

Made on huge drums with little paddles, they’re essentially thin pancakes. Crêpes can be filled with anything which is what makes them so delicious. Sweet crepes filled with strawberries, chocolate, bananas and whipped cream are awesome, but so are savoury ones filled with salmon, mushrooms, cream cheese, the possibilities are endless. Make sure you’re hungry though, because they’re very filling and they can get pretty big!

#10: Macarons

Last but absolutely never least: Macarons. I do have to clear something up for all the English only speakers out there, the closest English pronunciation of these is not “Mah-kah-roons” it’s “Mah-kah-rawns”. Macaroons are made with coconut and are fluffy. Macarons look like little sandwiches. They’re made from almond flower cookies and meringue, and are quite tricky to make. If you happen to try some and think they aren’t particularly great, try a different store. I recommend Pepone Cafe on Rue Des Abbesses in Montmartre, just a short walk from the Moulin Rouge, and the confectionery in the Carrousel du Louvre, the underground mall just in front of the Louvre. Avoid the ones at the Eiffel Tower.

There are all sorts of delicious treats to be had in France, so if it catches your fancy on the menu be brave, go ahead and try it!