French cuisine is a style of cooking originating in France that has evolved over centuries of social and political change. Already in the Middle Ages, the chef of the royal court, Guillaume Tirel, wrote Le Viandier, one of the earliest collections of recipes in medieval France. The way French cuisine is prepared has significantly influenced the cuisine of almost all Western countries, and its criteria are used by almost all Western culinary schools. In November 2010, French gastronomy was added by UNESCO to the UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
French cuisine varies depending on the season. In summer, salads and fruit bowls are popular because they are refreshing, fruit is grown almost everywhere and is cheap. Greengrocers prefer to sell their fruits and vegetables at lower prices if necessary, rather than letting them rot in the heat. At the end of the summer, a lot of mushrooms grow and are stewed all over France. The hunting season begins in September and lasts until February. All game is eaten, often in complex dishes that celebrate hunting success. At the turn of winter and spring, crustaceans are on top, and oysters also appear in restaurants in large quantities. Crayfish, for example, have a short fishing season and catching them out of season is illegal.
Tips from French cuisine
One of the reasons for visiting France is gastronomy. That is why we have written for you a few tips on what to taste in France.
Quiche Cakes
Quiche is a French savory pie made of dough filled with cream and pieces of meat, cheese, and seafood. The most famous cake is quiche Lorraine stuffed with bacon. It can be served hot or cold and is popular all over the world.
Ratatouille
This vegetable recipe comes from Nice from 1780. Today there are many ways and combinations in preparing Ratatouille. The main ingredients for preparing Ratatouille include eggplant, garlic, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, onions and olive oil, and herbs.
Among other things, the dish is called the sun on a plate.
Cassoulet
Cassoulet is a famous dish from the French region of Languedoc, which originated in the Middle Ages during the Hundred Years' War - in the middle of the 14th century. This dish consists of a mixture of meats, sausages and beans served in a round ceramic bowl.
Foie Gras
Foie gras is a famous French delicacy made from the fatty liver of waterfowl, especially geese and ducks. This luxurious delicacy could be considered a national cultural heritage. Goose liver can be prepared in both cold and warm variations, can be baked, fried, prepared in steam and can be made into pâtés.
Crepe suzette
Traditional French dessert ready in minutes. In translation, it can be said that these are caramelized flamboyant pancakes supplemented with orange juice and cointreau liqueur. In better restaurants, pancakes caramelized right in front of guests.
Creme brulee
A single break in the crust and a taste will suddenly make you addicted to this amazing French dessert. The trio of custard creams create a delicate beautiful taste with a caramelized crust.
Andouillette
Coarsely ground sausage from pork and intestines, or stomachs. It also contains onions, wine, pepper and other spices. Sausage is served hot and cold, but more often warm, eg with vegetables in mustard sauce or red wine.
Bouillabaisse
is a traditional Provencal fish stew originating from the port city of Marseille. Today you can enjoy soup from fresh fish, broth, white wine, olive oil, saffron.
French cuisine and health
The French love food, they suffer from meticulous food preparation so that everything on the table looks beautiful, and in addition, food is a kind of ritual for them, where they can have fun for hours. French cuisine is very diverse, each region has its own specialties and dishes typical of the area. French cuisine contains many meats, fish, seafood and vegetables. Their cuisine is therefore very suitable for a healthy lifestyle.
Food prices in France
As we have already written, food prices and a visit to a restaurant are at a similar price as in England.
Tipping is usually already included in the price. If you were satisfied, you can add another 10%.
- Meals in a regular restaurant € 20-25
- Meals in a higher category restaurant € 35-50
- Meals in the gastronomic restaurant € 75-150
Where can you have a good meal in Paris
A lunch menu from € 24 is offered by the Sequana Restaurant, located on the banks of the River Seine, a few steps from the charming Place Deuphine. The menu is light and corresponds to the season. 72 Quai des Orfévres, 1st district https://sequana.paris/.
Lunch menu from € 26 Les Fous de I´lle is located in the middle of the island of St-Louis and you will find this informal modern bistro, where good food goes hand in hand with a good mood. 33r. Des Deux-Ponts, 4. District https://www.lesfousdelile.com.
Lunch menu from € 18 La Marée Jeanne, a place dedicated to fish and mussels, where you will find three well-thought-out dishes on the original menu. A small garden on a quiet street, but the interior will captivate you with its atmosphere of a stylish fishmonger’s. 3r Mandar, 2nd district.
