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If you are a foodie then there is one country that can only be on your bucket list and that’s France.
Now, I don’t say that because I’m from France but let’s be honest, not many countries can compete with France when it comes to food.
We have some of the best culinary techniques, amazing dishes, delicious patisseries and more.
France is also home to some of the most prestigious cooking schools and boasted amazing chefs.
Alright, now that we quickly reintroduced why France is a great destination for foodies, it’s time to talk about the best cities to visit if you want to experience this extraordinary cuisine.
I’ve included 5 cities: Lyon, Paris, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Marseille. These were carefully picked and I made sure to include insider tips so you get to discover unique dishes that you may have never heard of before.
1. Lyon
I know you might have expected Paris to come first but nope, the French capital is a not the top destination, Lyon is.
Lyon is located in eastern France and is known as the “Gastronomic Capital of the World”.
It is the epicentre of French cuisine. That’s where a lot of famous dishes were invented but is also home to the best cooking schools.
The term ‘capitale mondiale de la gastronomie’ was first used in the 1930s by a famous food critique, Curnonsky, and is still used today.
There a lot of dishes you should try in Lyon. The most famous are quenelles, bouchons but also the pralines (they are pink caramelized coated almonds).
Charcuterie and cheese are also very popular in the area, especially the Saint-Marcellin.
Also, if you want to try to eat escargots, Lyon is a great place to do so because it’s located near the Bourgogne (the region known for their escargot recipes).
Finally, Lyon is famous for its connection with Paul Bocuse.
He was arguably the most famous French chef of all time and was based in Lyon. He had several Michelin-starred restaurants and trained a lot of famous chefs.
PRO TIP: I particularly recommend trying a brioche aux pralines. You can find them in most boulangeries in Lyon. They are the perfect twist on the traditional brioche and make for a unique culinary experience.
Also, they are pink so if you wanted to take cool food photos for your Instagram, they will be perfect!
2. Paris
Alright, now it’s time for Paris to shine.
Paris is not only known for its iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower or Notre-Dame but also for its incredible gastronomy.
The city boasts over 100 Michelin-starred restaurants making it one of the best cities in the world when it comes to food.
There are so many things you can do in Paris to experience the food. From food tours to market visit, you will be spoiled for choice.
When it comes to traditional dishes, Paris is often seen as a lesser city by French people. While it’s true that the most popular dishes weren’t created in Paris, our beautiful capital has still given us all a lot of delicious things.
The first one is the baguette! Yes, it was created by a Parisian baker in the 19th century.
The macarons and Opera cake were also a Parisian creation and that’s something that everyone loves now.
Finally, there are two other all-time favourites to mention: the entrecôte-frites and croque-monsieur.
3. Toulouse
Now if you want to discover the real French food, the South West is simply the place you want to go to!
Toulouse is located in the Occitanie region and while it’s mainly famous for rugby, it’s also one of the best places in the country to experience the food.
The most famous dish in Toulouse is the Cassoulet. It’s a slow-cooked stew with haricot beans and sausage. It’s hearty, comforting and delicious.
It is known as a ‘plat du pauvre’ (poor man’s meal) because it was made with the leftovers and lesser good pieces of meat.
Another thing Toulouse is famous for is violet candies. We use the violet to make a lot sweets and even liquor. Not only is it pretty (purple) but it’s very good as well.
Since Toulouse is in the South West, it makes it an excellent place to try the typical dishes from this region and by that I mean duck dishes.
You can try the famous foie gras but also confit de canard (duck confit) or magret de canard (duck breast).
4.Bordeaux
Bordeaux is known for its world-renowned wine, but it’s also a top destination for foodies.
Located in the Aquitaine region, Bordeaux offers a variety of delicious dishes that are sure to satisfy your taste buds.
The most famous dish from Bordeaux is entrecôte à la Bordelaise. It’s a juicy steak served with a rich red wine sauce made with shallots, butter, and bone marrow.
Another must-try snack is the canelé. These small pastries have a crispy exterior and a soft custard-like center flavored with vanilla and rum.
They are one of the best things to try in France (yep, it’s not just about the croissants!). They are made with a crepe batter which might surprise you.
And of course, since we are talking about Bordeaux, I have to mention the wine. The most common is red wine but you can also find some delicious white in the area.
The best thing to do is to go to one of the ‘chateaux‘ near Bordeaux so you can see the vineyards and do a wine tasting.
5.Marseille
Last but not least: Marseille!
Located on the Mediterranean coast, this port city has a melting pot of cuisines thanks to its history of trade and immigration.
One of the must-try dishes in Marseille is bouillabaisse. It’s a seafood stew with various types of fish, shellfish, and herbs that originated from the city. It’s served with croutons, rouille sauce and grated cheese.
This also a ‘plat du pauvre’ originally. Nowadays, fish is quite expensive so you might find the bouillabaisse quite expensive (it’s usually around 50 euros) but at the time, fish was what most people had in Marseille.
If you fancy a snack, try the navettes. They are typical biscuits and they go perfectly with a coffee.
Another Marseille specialty is the panisse, a chickpea flour fritter that is crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside.
Finally, if you’d like to try a typical drink, order a pastis. It’s an alcoholic beverage made with anise and is perfect to enjoy during the warm summer months.
I hope this article has given you some ideas on where to go in France for an amazing culinary experience.
The best part about French cuisine is that there are always more dishes and cities to discover, so don’t be afraid to try new things and explore different regions of my amazing country.
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