France is a country filled with history that goes beyond its historical monuments and preserved cathedrals. Travelers passionate about food can enjoy a culinary experience in France, traveling back in time to centuries-old restaurants in Paris or staying at the Gastronomic Capital of the World in Lyon. This European country may be famous for its freshly-baked goodies and decadent desserts, but France has a cuisine that includes a melange of rich, savory foods! Travelers heading to France this year can let their taste buds explore French cuisine by trying these delicious French dishes.
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Soupe À L’Oignon
Otherwise known in English as “French Onion Soup,” soupe l’oignon encompasses rich onion flavors with a subtle sweetness. Its rich flavors come from its use of caramelized onions, which come together with a beef-based broth. To top everything off, the soup can be served with croutons or bread, with a drizzle of cheese. This flavorful soup is deliciously simple and is proudly served in many Parisian eateries, but the Normandy French onion soup (which is made using chicken stock, fresh herbs, and cheese) is also worth trying when venturing around Normandy!
Sole menuiére is a perfect example of a dish that is incredibly simple yet rich in flavor. Sole menuière involves bathing fresh fish in butter, parsley, and lemon. The result? A dish that is heavenly moist, and buttery, with pleasant citrus notes. This fish-based dish was popular in the court of popular French ruler, King Louis XIV, yet made its appearance in the American household thanks to Julia Child. Julia’s love of French cuisine started when she tried this delicious dish in France around November 1948!
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Coq Au Vin
Some may refer to coq au vin as “chicken in wine,” despite the fact that “coq” translates to the rooster in English! Regardless of what people call it, this iconic French dish is one of the most popular dishes to come out of French cuisine. Coq au vin is simply a French stew filled with chunks of tender chicken that’s been braised for hours. This stew also encompasses flavors from other ingredients like mushrooms, lardons (sliced bacon slabs), garlic, and red Burgundy wine. Though coq au vin can easily be made at home, it can also be enjoyed in France, particularly in the Burgundy region.
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Croque Monsieur
Croque monsieur was popularized by Michel Lunarca in the early 20th century, who included this simple sandwich in his bistro menu. The sandwich was originally intended as a quick snack for Parisians on the go, made by grilling ham, béchamel sauce, and cheese (typically Gruyère cheese) in between two slices of pain de mie (or soft sliced bread). There are countless cafés around Paris that serve their take on the traditional Croque Monsieur (and its variation, the Croque madame). However, travelers can also find this sandwich in the Ile de France region, as well as other regional variations across France!
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Tapenade
Tapenade and cocktails are a match made in heaven, especially for those who love savory foods like olives! Tapenade is a specialty hailing from Provence, located in the southern part of France. This spread is made from chopped olives, capers, anchovies (or other fish), Provençal herbs, and garlic. Traditionally, black olives from Nice are used to make this iconic spread, though green tapenade can be found in grocery stores today. To enjoy this tangy dish, it’s typically eaten as a canapé, topped on small pieces of crusty bread (or crackers).
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Potatoes Dauphinoise
Potatoes dauphinoise is a show-stopping side dish made by slow cooking thinly-sliced potatoes with cream and garlic. In some cases, layers of Gruyère cheese and eggs may be added to this casserole dish for extra flavor. This rich and savory French dish comes from the Dauphiné region in southeastern France. Not to be confused with pommes Dauphine (or croquette-like comfort food in France), potatoes Dauphinoise are prepared using the gratin technique of cooking.
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Gougères
Biting into a gougère is like biting into a pillow-like cloud filled with cheese! This savory pastry is made by folding cheese inside baked pâte à choux (or cream-puff dough). Flavorful French cheeses like Gruyère are used to make this delectable treat. Gougéres make for a great, crowd-pleasing snack and are often served as an appetizer. These cheese puffs originated from Burgundy (France’s wine region) and were often “nibbled” while partaking in wine tastings.
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Escargots
Foodie tourists looking for a specialty while visiting France may want to try a dish of escargots, or snails. Escargots encompass an earthy, silky texture that has made it into tables during special occasions in France, like Christmas or New Year’s Eve. Land snail species like Helix pomatia or Cornu aspersa are commonly used for this national delicacy. Escargots are found in menus across many Parisian restaurants but are also popular in the Burgundy region of France.
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Camembert De Normandie
While experiencing the wonders of Normandy, don’t forget to try a local, decadent delight: Normandy camembert cheese! Travelers can venture to Normandy’s picturesque village of Camembert to try this legendary cheese which encompasses a butter-like, smooth texture with a fruity aroma! Travelers venturing to Normandy can also try the cheese using raw milk, a process it was originally made by Marie Harel in 1791. Otherwise, there are tons of camembert varieties across Normandy that are made using pasteurized milk, one of the more popular varieties being the Camembert le Châtelain.
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Bouillabaisse
The charms of Provence may evoke thoughts of lavender fields and olive groves, but it’s also the birthplace of a tangy, rich stew: the bouillabaisse. This thick and rich fish stew originated in the 19th century from Provence, particularly in the port city of Marseille. Traditionally, this seafood-filled dish boils various kinds of fish (and shellfish) with vegetables like leeks, onions, tomatoes, celery, and spices like saffron. Conventional bouillabaisse is also served with toasted bread slices with rouille (a mayo made using olive oil, garlic, saffron, and cayenne pepper). Lovers of seafood can sample this savory dish next time they find themselves in Marseille (or Provence)!