French Culinary Specialities by Region
Croissants, escargots and cheese — this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to French cuisine. With 18 regions in France, each one has its own specialities and traditions. There’s no doubt that you can find wines, cheese and pastries across the country. But each corner of France has its own flair. From Bordeaux’s canelés to Alsace’s stollen, Lyon’s quenelles to Marseille’s bouillabaisse, French cuisine abounds with a flavor for each traveler. With French Side Travel, you can not only discover the best spots to taste these delicacies but also enjoy cooking classes and unique gastronomic experiences. We’ve rounded up some of the best French culinary specialities by region.
French Culinary Specialities by Region
Bretagne
You’ve heard of – and surely tasted – French crêpes lathered with Nutella, Speculoos or sugar. But the region of Brittany offers a savory twist on this French classic: galettes bretonnes. Instead of wheat flour, galettes bretonnes are traditionally made with buckwheat flour. One of the most popular choices is a galette with an over-easy egg, ham and emmental cheese. But you’re sure to find endless choices: goat cheese, tomatoes, mushrooms, potatoes, chicken and beyond. You can find galettes bretonnes across the country, but our travel designer Fanny recommends trying an authentic one in the medieval town of Concarneau.
And for our sweet-tooth readers, no need to fret. When in Bretagne, be sure to taste its pastry Kouign-Amann, its palets bretons shortbread cookies, and soft salted butter caramels.
Eastern France
When it comes to culinary traditions in eastern France, its specialties are largely influenced by its cooler climate and its German and Swiss neighbors. Indulge in a Savoyard cheese fondue. With French Side Travel, you can enjoy a fondue in an igloo after a snowshoe trek. Feast on the region’s famed tartiflette, a creamy dish featuring potatoes, ham and reblochon cheese. Don’t forget to taste the creamy Mont d’Or, often in a round container into which you can simply dip your bread.
Although raclette is technically a Swiss cheese, you’re sure to find it through the French Alps (and across France) in the wintertime. The tradition goes as such: place a slice of raclette cheese on a metal spatula and then under the heat in the raclette machine. Once it’s nice and toasty, remove the spatula from the machine and pour it over a bed of potatoes and charcuterie. The bottom line: cheese lovers will not be disappointed!
The region of Alsace is nestled next to Germany – and even used to belong to this neighboring country. And when it comes to culinary traditions in Alsace, you’re sure to see its German influence. Around Christmastime, be sure to test its mannele ou mannala, a pastry made in the shape of a man for Saint Nicholas Day, according to France Bleu. Our travel designer Mathilde says this pastry is enjoyed on December 6 with a hot chocolate and clementine. She recommends a visit to the pâtisserie Gilg with locations in Munster, Colmar or Ribeauvillé.
Another Christmastime tradition, stollen is a sweetbread with dried fruits, nuts and spices – and doused in sugar, of course. Along with his homemade recipe, our travel designer Frank recommends trying out stollen at Pâtisserie Thierry Mulhaupt in Strasbourg. Alsace is also known for its spaëtzles, a type of pasta. Mathilde recommends trying out this Alsatian dish at La Fignette in Strasbourg.
Lyon
One of France’s biggest cities, Lyon has a variety of its own culinary traditions. One classic is its bouchon lyonnais. These cozy, mom-and-pop restaurants serve up local dishes, often with lots of meat. Lyon is also known for its quenelles, a recipe with flour, eggs, milk and fish or meat – in the shape of a cylinder, according to Sibilia. For dessert, try its praluline, a brioche with pink pralines, according to Maison Pralus.
The region surrounding Lyon also has some French specialities to try. Only a 30-minute train ride south of Lyon, the town of Romans-sur-Isère is particularly known for its ravioli. Be sure to test its ravioles du Dauphiné, ravioli stuffed with Comté cheese, fromage blanc and parsley, according to Drôme Tourism. Our product manager Florence recommends a reservation au Petit Maxime for its good ambience and house-made food. North of Lyon, you’ll also find the renowned Beaujolais wine region.
Normandy
Its D-Day beaches aren’t its only claim to fame. Normandy boasts a variety of culinary specialities, including camembert cheese and apple cider. Be sure to try its Calvados, a brandy made from apples. For our gourmands readers, indulge in a Calvados soufflé.
Provence and French Riviera
The sunny regions of Provence and the French Riviera are nestled along the sea. And its Mediterranean climate directly influences its culinary traditions. Southern France’s geography allows it to produce sumptuous olive oil along with olives and tapenade. The region of Provence also produces truffles. With French Side Travel, you can go truffle hunting yourself or even take a private cooking class to learn how to incorporate truffles into your recipes. Another Provençal classic: la soupe au pistou, a summer soup with beans, tomatoes, basil, pasta and potatoes, per Marseille Tourism. When in Provence, be sure to taste some of its fresh honey; you’ll never go back to store-bought!
The Provençal port city of Marseille also boasts its own traditions within the region. Inspired by its geography, la bouillabaisse is the city’s famed fish soup. Traditionally, this was a fisherman’s meal and must contain four of the following fish: scorpionfish (red or white), monkfish, conger, spider crab, red mullet, slipper lobster, lobster or John Dory, per Marseille Tourism. For the best bouillabaisse, our travel designer Angélique recommends Chez Michel in Marseille. Be sure to make a reservation at this restaurant located near the Catalans beach.
When in Marseille, be sure to also try the anis-based liqueur pastis as well as its fried or baked chickpea-based panisses. If you have a sweet tooth, peel your eyes for navettes, a cookie with orange blossom water.
The city of Nice is just a hop, skip and jump away from Italy. Its Mediterranean geography also heavily influences local cuisine – think olive oil, chickpeas and fresh fish. When in Nice, be sure to taste its socca, a chickpea flour-based crêpe. Or perhaps take a private pasta-making class organized by French Side Travel and try your hand at gnocchi.
Southwestern France
The cuisine in southwest France is notably influenced by its Atlantic Coast as well as its bordering neighbor Spain. Savor fresh oysters from the Bay of Arcachon. Embark on a private tour organized by French Side Travel where you can visit an oyster farm and pick out your own oysters. Try a dish with piment d’Espelette in the Basque Country. Savor a plate of magret de canard, a duck dish, or perhaps brandade de morue, a hearty dish with cod from the Gard department. Wine aficionados will have a wealth to explore when it comes to wine options in Bordeaux and the Basque Country. But this region also has some desserts to know and love from canelés (a pastry with rum and vanilla) to Dune Blanche (similar to cream puffs). Word to the wise: in Bordeaux, be sure to call it a chocolatine when ordering and not a pain au chocolat.
Where to Stay in France
Villa La Coste in Provence
This five-star hotel boasts 31 villa suites with a third of them boasting their own private pool. You’re just steps away from Château La Coste, a domain with a handful of restaurants, art exhibitions and wine experiences. Foodies will enjoy a reservation at its Michelin-starred restaurant.
Hotel Regent Petite France in Strasbourg
Several centuries old, this five-star hotel is tucked in the historical district. Enjoy a stay in one of its 75 rooms and suites, and treat yourself to a drink at Bar Champagne. You can also nosh on an Alsatian hot dog topped with ketchup, mustard and fried onions.
Baguette, wine and cheese are indeed French cuisine, but that’s only the beginning. France teems with a variety of culinary specialties and each region has its nuance. At French Side Travel, we’ll take care of the logistics of your trip so that you can simply indulge in these delicacies. Contact one of our travel specialists today to start planning. You might also like: Wine and Food in Alsace or Vallee de la Gastronomie itinerary Lyon.