Day 3208 (Saturday) 21st March 2026

This is on the Ramparts in Antibes

and this is the Gare du Sud in Nice, which used to be a train station but is now a shopping centre.

Yesterday the weather forecast for today was warm and sunny so we were very disappointed this morning when it was overcast and grey so Huw went up to Ken’s house and did some work.

I found another article about French food, we’ve done some of them before but there is lots of new stuff too. It’s quite long so I’ll post it over two days.

The Best Food To Eat In France

1. The French Baguette

No trip to France is complete without sinking your teeth into a crunchy baguette. As you bite off the end, you are diving into an emblem of French cultural heritage. As French President Emmanuel Macron says, the French baguette is “250 grams of magic and perfection.” No wonder it was given UNESCO Heritage status on November 30, 2022.

Part of the fun of being in France is watching how the French interact with their beloved baguette. Under the arm, in the bicycle basket, paired with cheese, and used to clean up the plate.

2. Flaky Croissants

One of the best things to eat in France is a croissant. Ok. More than one. You may want to start every morning with a croissant. The buttery the better. 

Don’t forget to try the outstanding variation, the pain au chocolat.

3. French Food: Oeufs Mayonnaise

Just like a devilled egg – right? No. Not in France. This French bistro classic has become a favourite. What makes it so good? It’s the homemade mayonnaise. If you order it in a restaurant you must ask if the mayonnaise is “fait-maison” or homemade. Oeufs mayonnaise with the mayonnaise draped over the perfectly hard-boiled eggs is simple yet divine.

4. Foie Gras: A French Entrée

Foie gras. Honestly, I avoided it for a while. It’s a deluxe delicacy but one that comes with controversy. While I travelled through the Dordogne (Sarlat being the cradle of foie gras) I didn’t even taste it due to the ethical concerns about its production.

But, the French love foie gras, especially for special occasions. Hanging out with my French friends, I’ve delighted in foie gras, a rich, buttery treat, made from the fattened liver of ducks or geese. Place a small piece of foie gras on a crunchy baguette or savour it with a fork right off the plate. I’ve discovered that foie gras is not just foie gras. The French have their secret foie gras recipes, each with subtle differences in flavour. Foie gras is a whole world of gastronomic luxury to discover. Foie Gras is a French food that you just have to taste.

5. Amazing French Food: Oysters

I’d never had any interest in eating oysters. Until I was immersed in the French culture. The French love their oysters. Crates of oysters are stacked on the sidewalks in December while Parisian cafés have seafood and oyster bars set up outside. Dinner parties often start with a platter of opened oysters and lemon wedges.

Give those briny creatures a try. Decide which size to eat (I like #3 oysters), tip the shell up to your lips, and chew the oyster for the best French gastronomic experience.

6. Garlicky Escargots

You’ve got to try escargots (snails) at least once in a lifetime. Served in a snail dish with special tongs and a small two-pronged snail fork, eating snails is a gastronomic adventure. It’s French food at its best. Once you’ve pulled the meat from the shell, pop the entire snail into your mouth. Snails. Garlicky butter. Parsely. It’s all rather divine and oh, so French.

7. Rillettes de la Sarthe

If you’ve ever met anyone from La Sarthe, a department in the Pays-de-la-Loire region of France, they will proudly present you with their regional speciality, a pot of rillettes, to savour. Don’t be surprised by the layer of fat sitting on top of the pork, it’s there to keep the rillettes fresh. Scrape away the fat and what lies underneath are tender bits of pork that have been slow-cooked. A Sarthois tradition, rillettes are made simply from pork, the fat from pork, and salt and pepper. Talk to a Sarthois, they will defend their favourite make of rillettes to the end. Spread rillettes on a crusty baguette for apéro or make a delicious lunchtime sandwich.

8. French Cuisine: Moules Frites

Of all the delectable French food, you just have to indulge in a steaming pot of mussels (moules) and a side order of French fries (frites). It’s an unforgettable French experience when a huge pot of steaming mussels is placed before you. 

Usually cooked in a broth of white wine, shallots, garlic, parsley, and sometimes cream, mussels are easy to make. Mussels are readily available at the outdoor markets in France.

9. Quiche Lorraine

Quiche Lorraine is a classic French savoury tart that originated in the region of Lorraine. It is renowned for its rich and flavourful filling made with eggs, cream, bacon (lardons), and cheese all baked in a flaky pie crust. Quiche Lorraine is a very versatile dish as it can be served hot or cold making it a great dish for lunch, dinner, and picnics. Quiche Lorraine is a beloved classic in French cuisine.

You’ll find all variations of this popular dish in France. Spinach and goat cheese. Vegetable. Salmon and spinach. 

10. A Surprising French Food: Steak Tartare

Steak tartare is a popular dish that I’ve only been brave enough to try once. It’s a raw beef hamburger served on a plate with French fries. No bun included. The skill in making this such a popular dish is the quality of the beef and how it is finely chopped. What makes it so irresistible is the onions, capers, Worcestershire sauce, mustard and often a raw egg yolk. 

11. Boeuf Bourguignon: A French Classic

Boeuf Bourguignon is a classic French beef stew that originated from the Burgundy (Bourgogne) region of France. It is a hearty dish known for its tender beef pieces, rich sauce, pearl onions, and delicious flavour. I add a bit of cognac to my Boeuf Bourguignon and it takes the depth of flavour to a new level. 

12. Confit de Canard (Duck Confit)

Of all the French food, confit de canard is one to add to the list of “must-try.” Originating in southwest France, confit de canard is a symbol of French culinary tradition and… it’s simply delicious.

I’ve been served confit de canard at several friends’ houses and it is a French dish that involves cooking duck legs slowly at a low temperature under their fat. This long cooking process renders the duck meat tender and flavourful. A traditional recipe from centuries ago, the method of cooking the duck legs under the fat also served as a preservation technique. The duck was stored in the fat for extended periods. Classic French food.

13. Scrumptious French Food: Galettes

Galettes are one of the essential things to eat in France. They have been a traditional food for centuries, particularly in regions like Brittany, where they are ingrained in the local culinary heritage. A savoury crêpe made with buckwheat flour, they are usually filled with ham, cheese, eggs, and/or vegetables. The perfect accompaniment to buckwheat galettes is a bowl of dry cider, another speciality of Brittany.

14. French Onion Soup

French onion soup. Soupe à l’oignon. Caramelised onions, melted cheese, delicious broth, toasted baguette. What’s not to like? Served piping hot in oven-proof bowls this is a French classic.