French Food: 15 Local Delicacies To Try While on Vacation

Exploring new foods while on vacation in France is a delightful culinary adventure, where each meal offers a window into the country’s rich cultural tapestry. French cuisine, known for its finesse and flavor, invites travelers to leave their comfort zones and indulge in dishes that tantalize their taste buds. Each region of France has its own unique specialties, whether it’s the savory crepes of Brittany, the rich foie gras of the Dordogne, or the bouillabaisse of Marseille. Sampling these local delights satisfies culinary curiosity and provides a deeper connection to the French way of life, where food is celebrated as an art form.

Croque Monsieur

Croque Monsieur
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The Croque Monsieur is a typical French café sandwich that is both simple and indulgent. It typically consists of ham and cheese (usually Gruyère or Emmental) sandwiched between slices of pain de mie and soft white bread, then topped with béchamel sauce and more cheese before being toasted to golden perfection. The result is a wonderfully crispy exterior with a meltingly tender interior, often served as a hearty snack or a casual lunch across France.

Coq au Vin

Coq au Vin
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Coq au Vin is a classic French dish featuring chicken braised with wine, lardons, mushrooms, and sometimes garlic. This rich, hearty stew has its roots in rural French cooking and is celebrated for its deep, savory flavors. It’s typically simmered, allowing the ingredients to meld together beautifully.

Bouillabaisse

Bouillabaisse
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Originating from the city of Marseille, Bouillabaisse is a robust fish stew known for its rich flavors and variety of seafood. Traditionally, it includes several types of fish, shellfish, and aromatic herbs and spices, including saffron. Served with a slice of rouille-slathered toast, it’s a quintessential taste of French coastal cuisine.

Ratatouille

Ratatouille
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Ratatouille is a vibrant vegetable stew from the Provence region, combining eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions. This dish is simmered with herbs like thyme and basil, creating a medley of flavors. It can be served as a main dish or a side, epitomizing the freshness of French vegetable cooking.

Bœuf Bourguignon

Bœuf Bourguignon
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Bœuf Bourguignon is a traditional French stew made with beef slowly braised in red wine, often with mushrooms, onions, and carrots. Originating from the Burgundy region, this dish showcases the depth of flavor achievable with simple ingredients and slow cooking. It’s commonly served with potatoes or crusty bread.

Moules-Frites

Moules Frites
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Moules-Frites, mussels served with fries, is popular in northern France and coastal regions. The mussels are typically steamed in a broth of white wine, garlic, and herbs, creating a flavorful and aromatic dish. Paired with crispy fries, it’s a delightful combination of sea and comfort food, often enjoyed in a casual, convivial setting.

Crêpes

Crêpes
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Crêpes are thin, delicate pancakes that can be filled with sweet or savory ingredients. Sweet crêpes may include fillings like Nutella, sugar, or fruit, while savory ones, known as galettes, are made with buckwheat flour and filled with cheese, ham, or eggs. They are a popular street food, especially in cities like Paris.

Éclairs

Éclairs
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Éclairs are a beloved French pastry made with choux dough, filled with cream, and topped with a glossy chocolate glaze. Originating in the 19th century, they have become a symbol of French confectionery elegance. The pastry is light and airy, perfectly contrasting the rich cream and chocolate topping.

Tarte Tatin

Tarte Tatin
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Tarte Tatin is a famous upside-down apple tart from the Loire Valley. Apples are caramelized in butter and sugar before being covered with pastry and baked. Once inverted, the tart reveals a lusciously caramelized top, often served with a dollop of cream.

Quiche Lorraine

Quiche Lorraine
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Quiche Lorraine is a savory tart from the Lorraine region, filled with creamy custard, bacon, and cheese. Its origins date back to medieval Germany, and it has since become a beloved dish in French cuisine. The quiche is versatile and perfect for any meal of the day.

Cassoulet

Cassoulet
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Cassoulet is a hearty bean stew from southern France, typically including meats like duck, pork sausages, and sometimes mutton. This slow-cooked dish is a staple of French comfort food, known for its rich, deep flavors and satisfying nature. It’s a perfect example of French rustic cooking.

Baguette

Baguette
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The baguette is a staple in French cuisine, known for its crispy crust and soft, airy interior. It’s often enjoyed fresh from a local bakery, slathered with butter, or used for making sandwiches. The simplicity of its ingredients – flour, water, yeast, and salt – belies the skill required to perfect this iconic bread.

Croissant

Croissant
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A symbol of French patisserie, croissants are buttery, flaky pastries enjoyed across France. They’re made through a meticulous process of layering dough and butter, then rolling and folding multiple times to achieve their characteristic layers. Croissants are commonly enjoyed at breakfast, sometimes filled with chocolate or almond paste.

Madeleines

Madeleines
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Madeleines are small, shell-shaped sponge cakes that are a light and sweet treat in France. Often flavored with lemon zest, they boast a distinctive bump on one side, known as the “belly” of the madeleine. They are particularly associated with the Lorraine region and are a popular accompaniment to tea or coffee.

Macarons

Macarons
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French macarons are delicate, meringue-based confections known for their smooth, crisp shell and soft, chewy interior. They come in different colors and flavors, ranging from vanilla and chocolate to more exotic varieties like lavender or pistachio. Macarons are delicious and a feast for the eyes, often in patisseries throughout France.

French Food to Try on Vacation

Charcuterie
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A visit to France is incomplete without delving into its exquisite culinary offerings. Whether it’s sampling fresh seafood along the French Riviera, enjoying a traditional Bouillabaisse in Marseille, or indulging in a decadent Tarte Tatin in a Normandy patisserie, each dish provides a unique insight into the country’s rich cultural heritage. So, when in France, embrace the adventure of tasting local delicacies – it’s an integral part of the travel experience that truly embodies the spirit of French cuisine.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

French Food: 15 Local Delicacies To Try While on Vacation

Alexandrea Sumuel Groves is a nationally syndicated travel writer and founder of the Wander With Alex travel blog. Her work has appeared on MSN, YAHOO!, Euronews, and FOX, ABC, and NBC affiliates across the United States. 

Alex travels to experience, eat, explore, and occasionally escape! She collaborates with destinations, vacation property management companies, and hospitality technology firms to provide her readers with exclusive insights and information.