Last Updated on April 14, 2025 by April Nicole

Traditional French foods are a celebration of flavors, history, and time-honored techniques. From buttery croissants to rich boeuf bourguignon, French cuisine is beloved worldwide for its depth and elegance.

As someone who has spent years exploring France’s food scene—from Michelin-starred restaurants to charming boulangeries, I’ve discovered the dishes that truly define French gastronomy.

In this guide, we’ll explore the must-try traditional French foods, their origins, and where to find the best versions in France. Whether you’re planning a trip or just want to bring a taste of France into your kitchen, this list will help you experience authentic French cuisine like a local.

🛑 Top 5 Must-Try Traditional French Foods 🇫🇷

If you’re short on time or just starting your French food journey, here are the top 5 must-try dishes that define French cuisine!

🍽️ Dish	🌍 Origin	🤩 Why You Must Try It
🥖 Baguette Tradition	France-wide	The ultimate French staple—crispy on the outside, soft inside. Perfect with cheese & wine!
🥐 Croissant	Paris	Buttery, flaky perfection. A must-have for a true French breakfast experience.
🍲 Boeuf Bourguignon	Burgundy	Rich, slow-cooked beef stew in red wine—one of France’s most iconic comfort foods.
🦞 Escargots de Bourgogne	Burgundy	Don’t be afraid! When cooked with garlic & butter, snails are a surprisingly delicious delicacy.
🍮 Crêpes Suzette	Nice	Thin, caramelized crêpes flambéed in orange liqueur—a sweet, theatrical dessert!

💡 Pro Tip: If you want the most authentic experience, try these dishes in their region of origin for the best quality and flavor! 🇫🇷🍷🥖

21 Traditional French Foods You Must Try

🥖 French Breads & Pastries

1. Baguette – The Quintessential French Staple

The baguette is one of the most recognizable symbols of French cuisine. This long, crispy bread has a golden crust with a soft, airy interior, and it’s best eaten fresh from a bakery. The French take their baguettes seriously—so much so that the recipe is regulated by law, requiring only flour, water, yeast, and salt. There’s nothing quite like grabbing a warm baguette in the morning and pairing it with cheese, butter, or jam.

➡️ Did you know? In France, breaking a baguette with your hands (instead of cutting it with a knife) is considered the most traditional way to enjoy it. It dates back to a time when communal bread-cutting knives were seen as symbols of conflict!

📍 Where I had the best baguette: Du Pain et des Idées in Paris. Their “baguette tradition” was so good I ate an entire one before lunch!

2. Croissant – Buttery, Flaky Perfection

A well-made croissant should have a crisp, golden-brown exterior and an airy, buttery interior that melts in your mouth. While croissants originated from the Austrian kipferl, the French perfected the technique using laminated dough, creating the flaky layers we know today. Eating a fresh croissant from a Parisian bakery in the morning is a simple pleasure I never get tired of. For the best experience, pair it with a café crème while watching the world go by at a street café.

➡️ The legend behind the Croissant is fascinating—many believe it was invented to celebrate the Austrian defeat of the Ottoman Empire in 1683. Its crescent shape (which resembles the Ottoman flag) was a symbolic way for Viennese bakers to “devour” their enemies!

📍 Best Croissant I Ever Had: Blé Sucré in Paris—the extra crispy outside and rich flavor made it unforgettable.

3. Pain au Chocolat – A Sweet Morning Treat

Pain au chocolat is a close relative of the croissant, but with the added delight of dark chocolate filling nestled between the flaky layers. It’s a popular French breakfast pastry that is perfect for those who love a slight sweetness in the morning. There’s an ongoing debate in France—should it be called pain au chocolat or chocolatine? No matter what you call it, it’s an absolute must-try.

📍 Where to try it: In Toulouse, visit La Maison Beauhaire, renowned for its award-winning chocolatines. In Bordeaux, Maison Lamour offers exceptional pain au chocolat in the Saint-Seurin district.

4. Kouign-Amann – The Buttery Delight of Brittany

Kouign-Amann is one of the hidden gems of French cuisine, originating from the Brittany region. Made from simple ingredients—butter, sugar, and dough—this pastry is folded multiple times to create delicate layers that caramelize beautifully in the oven. The result? A crisp, golden shell with a soft, buttery interior that practically melts in your mouth. I was blown away the first time I tried it in Saint-Malo—the sweetness and buttery richness were beyond anything I expected.

📍 Where to Try It: Head to Brittany, the birthplace of this incredible pastry. In Saint-Malo, Kouign Amann de Saint-Malo is famous for its authentic preparation, while in Quimper, Boulangerie Lozac’h serves a highly praised, melt-in-your-mouth kouign-amann that visitors love.

🍲 Classic French Main Dishes

5. French Onion Soup – The Ultimate Comfort Food

One of the most iconic French dishes, French onion soup (Soupe à l’Oignon) is a rich, savory soup made with caramelized onions, beef broth, and topped with crusty bread and melted cheese. It dates back to the 19th century, originally considered a poor man’s dish before becoming a staple in French cuisine. The secret to an amazing onion soup is slow-cooked onions that turn deeply golden and sweet, creating an intense flavor. I first had it on a cold evening in Paris, and the combination of warm broth, gooey cheese, and crispy bread was pure comfort in a bowl.

➡️ While Paris is famous for French Onion Soup, the Alsace region has its own twist—often adding Munster cheese instead of Gruyère, giving it a much stronger aroma!

📍 Best I’ve had: Au Pied de Cochon, Paris—one of the most famous spots for French onion soup.

6. Boeuf Bourguignon – A Dish Worth Savoring

Boeuf bourguignon is a hearty beef stew slow-cooked in red wine, onions, carrots, and herbs, making it one of the most famous French dishes. Originally a peasant dish from Burgundy, this stew became a symbol of French haute cuisine thanks to Julia Child’s cookbook. The slow cooking process makes the beef incredibly tender, while the wine and aromatics develop a rich, deep flavor. When I visited Dijon, I had an unforgettable boeuf bourguignon that paired perfectly with a glass of Burgundy wine.

➡️ In some rural parts of Burgundy, this dish is cooked with coq (rooster) instead of beef, following the traditional method from centuries ago. It’s known as coq au vin de Bourgogne!

📍 Where to try it: Head to Burgundy, the birthplace of boeuf bourguignon, for an authentic taste of this iconic dish. In Beaune, Ma Cuisine is renowned for its traditional preparation, offering a true culinary experience. Alternatively, Chez Léon in Dijon serves a classic rendition that showcases the rich flavors of this beloved specialty.

7. Cassoulet – The Ultimate French Comfort Food

Cassoulet is a slow-cooked stew made with white beans, duck confit, pork, and sausage, creating one of the most filling and comforting dishes in French cuisine. It originated in Toulouse and Carcassonne, where it was traditionally eaten by farmers to sustain them through long, cold winters. The best cassoulet is cooked for hours, allowing the flavors to meld together perfectly. I had my first taste in Toulouse, and it was so rich and satisfying that I needed a nap afterward!

📍 Where to eat it: Le Colombier, Toulouse—a restaurant known for serving authentic cassoulet.

8. Duck Confit – A Timeless Delicacy

Duck confit is a traditional French dish where duck legs are slow-cooked in their own fat until the meat becomes tender and flavorful. The technique dates back centuries and was originally a method of preserving meat in the Gascony region. The result is crispy-skinned duck with an intense, savory taste that pairs perfectly with garlic-roasted potatoes. I had duck confit for the first time in Dordogne, and I still dream about how flavorful it was!

📍 Best place: For the best duck-based dishes in France, head to Dordogne or Gascony. For an authentic experience, visit Le Donjon in Beynac-et-Cazenac, Dordogne, where you can savor their renowned duck confit.

🧀 Famous French Cheeses

9. Camembert – Normandy’s Creamy Delight

Camembert is one of the most famous French cheeses, known for its soft, bloomy rind and creamy interior. Made from cow’s milk in Normandy, it has a mild yet earthy flavor that intensifies as it ripens. The best way to enjoy Camembert is at room temperature, paired with a warm baguette and a glass of red wine. During a cheese tasting in Normandy, I tried freshly made Camembert and was amazed by how different it tasted from the supermarket versions back home—rich, buttery, and slightly nutty.

➡️ In 2007, Camembert de Normandie nearly lost its AOC status because industrial manufacturers wanted to use pasteurized milk instead of raw milk. Traditional cheesemakers fought back, and today, true Camembert AOC must still be made with raw milk.

📍 Best place to try: Local cheese farms in Normandy, such as La Maison du Camembert.

10. Roquefort – The King of Blue Cheeses

Roquefort is an intensely flavorful blue cheese, aged in limestone caves in Roquefort-sur-Soulzon. Made from sheep’s milk, it has a sharp, tangy, and slightly salty taste with a crumbly texture. Legend has it that a shepherd left his bread and cheese in a cave, only to return weeks later to find it had developed blue mold—thus creating Roquefort! I was hesitant to try it at first, but after pairing it with sweet wine, I was hooked.

➡️ The French have a strict cheese-eating etiquette! Always slice soft cheeses from the center outward rather than cutting off the “nose” (tip), which is considered rude.

📍 Where to eat: Roquefort-sur-Soulzon caves—where you can tour the aging process and try fresh samples.

11. Comté – France’s Most Popular Hard Cheese

Comté is a nutty, slightly sweet cheese from the Franche-Comté region, aged anywhere from 4 months to 36 months. The longer it’s aged, the deeper and more complex the flavor becomes. I love how versatile Comté is—it melts beautifully in dishes but is also delicious on its own with a glass of white wine. When I visited a cheese cellar in Jura, I sampled a 24-month aged Comté, and it had an incredible buttery, slightly caramelized taste.

📍 Where to try: One highly recommended option is the Fromagerie Marcel Petite in Jura, renowned for its exceptional Comté production.

🥗 French Appetizers & Side Dishes

12. Ratatouille – The Vegetable Stew of Provence

Made famous by the Pixar movie “Ratatouille,” this dish is a slow-cooked vegetable stew featuring eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions, all simmered in olive oil and herbs. Originally a peasant dish from Provence, it’s now a staple of French cuisine that’s often served as a side or a main dish. I had my first authentic ratatouille in Nice, and the flavors were fresh, aromatic, and deeply satisfying.

📍 Best place to try: Nice or Provence, in a family-run bistro. For an authentic experience, visit La Rossettisserie in Nice, renowned for its traditional ratatouille.

13. Tartiflette – The Ultimate French Cheese & Potato Dish

Tartiflette is a hearty, cheesy dish from the French Alps, made with potatoes, reblochon cheese, onions, and bacon (lardons), all baked to perfection. It was originally created to promote Reblochon cheese, but it quickly became one of the most beloved winter comfort foods in France. I first tried Tartiflette in Chamonix after a long day of skiing, and it was exactly what I needed—warm, creamy, and irresistibly rich. If you love potatoes and cheese, this is a dish you absolutely must try.

📍 Best place to try: The Savoy region, particularly in mountain chalets in Chamonix, Annecy, or Grenoble. For an authentic experience, visit La Calèche in central Chamonix, a renowned restaurant offering a traditional Savoyard ambiance and an excellent Tartiflette.

14. Salade Niçoise – The Fresh Taste of the French Riviera

A true dish of the Mediterranean, Salade Niçoise is a fresh, protein-packed salad made with tuna, hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, olives, anchovies, and green beans, all drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice. It’s the perfect light meal on a warm summer day, and I loved eating it by the seaside in Nice. This salad is all about simple, high-quality ingredients, and when done right, it’s an absolute delight.

📍 Best in: For an authentic Salade Niçoise experience, head to a seafood restaurant in Nice, Cannes, or Monaco. In Nice, Restaurant Castel is a top choice, offering fresh ingredients and a stunning Mediterranean view right on the beach.

15. Quiche Lorraine – France’s Most Iconic Savory Tart

A savory tart made with eggs, cream, bacon, and cheese, originally from the Lorraine region. This beloved dish is a staple of French cuisine, known for its rich and creamy filling encased in a buttery, flaky pastry crust. Traditionally, the quiche does not include cheese, but modern variations often incorporate Gruyère or Emmental for added depth of flavor. While commonly enjoyed for breakfast or brunch, Quiche Lorraine is versatile enough to be served as a light lunch or dinner, often accompanied by a crisp green salad and a glass of white wine. Its origins date back to the Middle Ages, when it was first made with bread dough before evolving into the pastry-based version we know today.

📍 Where to try it: Lorraine – this dish originated here. For an authentic experience, visit the Covered Market in Metz, Lorraine. This historic market houses various vendors offering traditional quiche Lorraine.

🦞 French Seafood & Meat Specialties

16. Escargots de Bourgogne – Snails Cooked in Garlic Butter

If you’ve never tried escargots, don’t be afraid! When cooked the French way—in buttery garlic and parsley sauce—they are absolutely delicious. The first time I tried escargots de Bourgogne in Dijon, I was nervous, but after the first bite, I realized they tasted like tender mushrooms with a hint of garlic and herbs. It’s one of those classic French dishes that you just have to try once in your life.

📍 Where to eat: Dijon or Burgundy, where snails are locally farmed. For an authentic experience, visit Loiseau des Ducs in Dijon, a Michelin-starred restaurant renowned for its refined take on Burgundian classics, including exceptional escargot preparations.

17. Steak Frites – The Perfect French Bistro Meal

A simple yet iconic dish, Steak Frites is exactly what it sounds like—a perfectly cooked steak served with crispy French fries. It’s one of the most popular French foods and a bistro favorite throughout the country. I had my best Steak Frites experience at Le Relais de l’Entrecôte in Paris, where they serve it with a legendary secret sauce.

📍 Best place: Parisian brasseries like Le Relais de l’Entrecôte or Bistrot Paul Bert.

18. Bouillabaisse – Provence’s Legendary Seafood Stew

A flavorful seafood stew from Marseille, made with a saffron-infused broth and various fresh fish and shellfish. Traditionally, it includes at least three types of fish such as red rascasse, sea bass, and monkfish, along with shellfish like mussels and prawns.

The dish is often served with a side of rouille, a garlicky saffron mayonnaise spread on toasted bread, adding extra richness to the broth. Bouillabaisse was originally a humble fisherman’s meal, but today it is a celebrated delicacy that captures the essence of Provençal cuisine.

📍 Where to try it: Marseille – the birthplace of this saffron-infused dish. Chez Fonfon a historic eatery in the picturesque Vallon des Auffes, is celebrated for its authentic bouillabaisse recipe.

🍮 French Desserts & Sweet Treats

19. Crêpes Suzette – A Flambéed Spectacle

Crêpes Suzette is not just a dessert—it’s a performance. These thin crêpes are drenched in an orange liqueur sauce and then flambéed at the table, creating a deliciously caramelized flavor. I watched a chef in Nice prepare it in front of me, and the combination of butter, orange, and Grand Marnier was divine.

📍 Best place: Le Safari, Nice—one of the best spots for traditional crêpes.

20. Macarons – The Ultimate French Treat

Macarons are delicate, almond-based meringue cookies filled with a smooth ganache or buttercream. They come in dozens of flavors, from pistachio to salted caramel, and are known for their crisp shell and chewy interior. The first time I tried Pierre Hermé macarons in Paris, I understood why people rave about them—they were light, flavorful, and perfectly balanced.

➡️ Want to know if a macaron is high quality? Flip it upside down—if it has a smooth bottom and a shiny, delicate shell, you’re in for a treat. If it’s rough and uneven, it might be overcooked or mass-produced.

📍 Best in: Ladurée or Pierre Hermé, Paris.

21. Crème Brûlée – France’s Most Beloved Caramelized Dessert

A creamy vanilla custard with a caramelized sugar crust. This classic French dessert is made by baking a rich, velvety custard infused with real vanilla beans until set. The highlight of crème brûlée is its thin, glass-like caramelized sugar topping, which is achieved by sprinkling sugar over the custard and torching it until golden brown. Traditionally served in small ramekins, this dessert offers a delightful contrast between the crunchy sugar shell and the silky custard underneath. It is often enjoyed with a cup of espresso or a glass of dessert wine for an indulgent French dining experience.

📍 Where to try it: Le Bon Vivre, Toulouse, Occitanie: Renowned for serving exceptional Crème Brûlée.

22. Tarte Tatin – The Classic French Upside-Down Apple Tart

A caramelized upside-down apple tart with a buttery, flaky crust. This dessert originated in the late 19th century at the Hôtel Tatin in Lamotte-Beuvron. It was allegedly created by accident when one of the Tatin sisters mistakenly overcooked apples in sugar and butter. The dish is made by caramelizing apple slices in butter and sugar, then covering them with pastry and baking until golden. Once baked, it is flipped upside down before serving, showcasing its glossy, caramelized topping. Traditionally served warm with a dollop of crème fraîche or vanilla ice cream, Tarte Tatin remains a beloved French classic.

📍 Where to try it: La Maison Tatin, Lamotte-Beuvron, Centre-Val de Loire: Located in the birthplace of Tarte Tatin, this restaurant offers an authentic experience.

Lesser-Known Traditional French Dishes You Should Try

Traditional french foods

1️⃣ Aligot – The Cheesiest Mashed Potatoes (Auvergne)

Aligot is a heavenly dish from the mountainous region of Auvergne, made from mashed potatoes mixed with Tomme fraîche cheese, butter, garlic, and cream. When prepared correctly, the cheese stretches in long ribbons as it’s served—a mesmerizing sight in French cuisine.

📜 Historical Context: Originally a dish prepared by monks for weary pilgrims on their journey to Santiago de Compostela, Aligot has become a comforting winter favorite.

📍 Where to try it: The best Aligot can be found in Laguiole or Aveyron, often served with grilled sausages.

Traditional french foods

2️⃣ Tarte Flambée – Alsace’s Answer to Pizza (Alsace)

Also called Flammekueche, this dish from Alsace is a thin, crispy flatbread topped with crème fraîche, onions, and lardons (smoked bacon bits), then baked in a wood-fired oven.

📜 Historical Context: The name means “flamed tart,” as it was originally baked in bread ovens to test if they were hot enough. The dish remained a staple for Alsatian farmers, later becoming a beloved street food.

📍 Where to try it: Strasbourg or Colmar, in a cozy winstub (Alsatian tavern).

Traditional french foods

3️⃣ Pounti – A Sweet & Savory Surprise (Auvergne)

Pounti is a fascinating dish blending savory and sweet flavors, featuring ground pork, Swiss chard, prunes, and herbs, all baked into a dense, cake-like loaf. It may sound unusual, but the contrast between salty pork and sweet prunes is delicious!

📜 Historical Context: This dish originated in rural Auvergne, where farmers relied on local ingredients and didn’t waste anything. The result? A unique combination that has stood the test of time.

📍 Where to try it: Clermont-Ferrand or Cantal, often served with a green salad.

Traditional french foods

4️⃣ Pieds-Paquets – A Dish for the Adventurous (Provence)

Not for the faint-hearted, Pieds-Paquets is a slow-cooked stew made with lamb’s feet and tripe, simmered in white wine, tomatoes, and herbs. It’s one of Provence’s most rustic delicacies, often found in traditional family-run restaurants.

📜 Historical Context: Created by shepherds in Marseille who used every part of the animal, this dish showcases the “waste nothing” philosophy of historical French cooking.

📍 Where to try it: Marseille or Aix-en-Provence, best enjoyed with crusty bread to soak up the rich sauce.

Traditional french foods

5️⃣ Tourte aux Myrtilles – A Wild Blueberry Pie (Savoy Alps)

This rustic mountain dessert is made with wild blueberries (myrtilles) from the French Alps, encased in a buttery, flaky tart crust. The berries provide a natural sweetness and slight tartness, making it a refreshing alternative to heavier French desserts.

📜 Historical Context: For centuries, Alpine villagers would forage for wild blueberries in late summer and bake them into this simple but delicious pie. Today, it remains a regional delicacy found in mountain huts and bakeries.

📍 Where to try it: Chamonix or Annecy, best enjoyed with a hot cup of tea or mulled wine.

Traditional french foods

6️⃣ Tripes à la Mode de Caen – Normandy’s Ancient Dish

Tripes à la Mode de Caen is one of France’s oldest known recipes, dating back to the Middle Ages. It’s a rich stew made from beef tripe (stomach), slow-cooked with cider, carrots, onions, and Calvados (apple brandy).

📜 Historical Context: It was invented by monks in the Abbey of Caen and became a Normandy specialty thanks to the region’s excellent dairy and cider production.

📍 Where to try it: Caen or Rouen, often served in traditional Norman bistros.

traditional french foods

traditional french foods

📢 Final Thoughts: Start Your French Food Journey! 🇫🇷

French cuisine is more than just food—it’s an experience. Whether you’re grabbing a warm baguette in Paris, savoring Boeuf Bourguignon in Burgundy, or trying escargots for the first time, every dish tells a story.

🍽️ First-time visitor? Start with these classics:
🥖 Baguette Tradition – The ultimate French staple
🥐 Croissant – Buttery, flaky perfection
🍲 Boeuf Bourguignon – Rich, slow-cooked beef in red wine
🦞 Escargots de Bourgogne – A garlicky delicacy
🍮 Crème Brûlée – A silky, caramelized dessert

💬 Which French foods have you tried? Any favorites? Share your foodie experiences in the comments! 🇫🇷✨

🇫🇷 Bon appétit et bon voyage! ✨