A Foodies Guide to France
Originally posted on & updated on 23rd September, 2025
French cuisine is renowned worldwide for its enticing, classic dishes and sophisticated Michelin-starred fine dining. Many regions boast an abundance of locally grown, fresh, seasonal produce, including distinctive cheeses, baguettes, pastries, herbs, olives, fruits, and vegetables, all available in local markets, stores and supermarkets. And that’s before we’ve even mentioned some of the world’s best wines and champagnes.
The bustling markets are foodie heaven, and events like Beaujolais Day in November are a delight. With fireworks, music, and numerous festivals across the region to mark the first Beaujolais of the season, this is a treat that visitors and locals will not want to miss. If you are considering a move to France, a rich gastronomical experience awaits. Here, we explore France for foodies and a few of those classic recipes that are sure to appeal :
Classic Crème Brûlée
There is some debate over the origins of this custard-based dessert with a top layer of hard caramel, but one thing is certain: it tastes delicious. The current French name first appears in Francois Massialot’s (the King’s Cook) 1691 cookbook. Usually served in ramekins, it’s a popular classic served across France.
Soupe a l’Oignon - French Onion Soup
Dating back to Roman times, the modern version of the tradition, as we know it today, originated in Paris during the 18th century. Essentially, it’s a beef and onion-based broth with croutons and a delicious melted gruyère topping. The onions are cooked slowly until they become caramelised, and the soup is served piping hot.
Quiche Lorraine
Situated in the northeast region, Lorraine is home to one of France’s best-known dishes. Quiche Lorraine remains a popular favourite on French menus, served as a starter with a lovely crisp salad or as a brunch. It originally comes from German culture, where the quiche was an egg custard pie baked in a brioche pastry. Quiche Lorraine consists of eggs, cream and smoked bacon - it was only later that cheese was added. When it comes to France for foodies, it remains a mouth-watering speciality of this region.
Potatoes Dauphinoise
Believed to have originated from the historic Dauphiné region in south-east France, this traditional French classic is based on potatoes and crème fraiche or cream. Garlic adds plenty of flavour to the dish, making it the perfect accompaniment to meat or fish dishes.
Boeuf Bourguignon
French classical cooking wouldn’t be complete without this rich, hearty stew of red wine, shallots, streaky bacon, mushrooms and beef. A hearty yet elegant dish originating from Burgundy in the east of France. The red wine of this wonderful region is the key ingredient! We have some beautiful properties in Burgundy if you are looking to move here to enjoy the culture and cuisine of France.
Ratatouille Provençale
Found throughout Provence and a speciality cuisine of Nice, this French vegetable stew’s star ingredients include tomatoes, courgettes, aubergines, onions, garlic, herbs and spices. The Mediterranean climate of the region, combined with seasonal, locally grown produce, makes for a sublime dish.
Brittany Crêpes
French for “pancake,” crêpes originate from Brittany in northwest France. These sweet and savoury delights are popular across France and the world over. The famous dessert, Crêpe Suzette Flambée, consists of a hot sauce made from caramelised sugar, orange juice, and Grand Marnier. It’s a true classic that foodies discovering the joys of French cooking are sure to love.
Tartiflette
Hailing from the Savoie region in the French Alps, tartiflette is the ultimate comfort dish, especially during winter. This hearty gratin features layered sliced potatoes, smoky lardons, onions, and melted Reblochon cheese. Although it appears as a rustic mountain recipe, tartiflette was popularised in the 1980s by Reblochon producers to boost cheese sales. Now, it’s a beloved alpine speciality and a warming, indulgent meal representing French mountain cuisine.
Don’t Forget the Wine
The enduring appeal of classic cooking is all part of the rich culture of living in France. We haven’t even touched on fine dining, but that’s a whole other story of immense flavours and phenomenal cuisine. Matching food and wine is a very serious business in France, especially around Christmas and New Year. Explore our guide to pairing cheese and wine in your favourite department or region.
Take a look at our properties for sale if you are feeling inspired to immerse yourself in France, where food and wine take centre stage.
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