by Janis / 4 comments - Orginally published:29th November 2019

Just a soupçon from the land of cheese and wine

One of the reasons we love travelling is discovering the unique flavours of a country or a region. We always try to eat and drink what is local to an area, as it really gives you a taster of where you are and what flourishes in that region.

And no surprise, France is one of our favourite countries to indulge in this. The French make it so easy. As you would expect, dishes overlap as you travel around, and like many countries, they often have their traditional dishes that are synonymous throughout the land.

However, it’s not until your journey from region to region that you really appreciate the differences. From the produce, you’ll sample across the lush mountainous landscape in the east to the local delicacies in the sun-kissed Provence hills in the south.

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2 tables and chairs outside a gift shop painted in deep red, providing local gastronomic food produce from the Champagne-Ardenne region. The shop is called Terroir des Rois which roughly translates I from the soil of Kings.
Local produce - Reims
We’ve yet to discover all of the regions of France. Nonetheless, we have had the pleasure of touring around on and off for the last 25 years. Hey, there’s no rush, and it’s a great excuse to return.
A stalling Nice, France, displaying varieties of potatoes and a selection of fresh garlic.
Local market in Nice, you’re never too far from garlic
So just a soupçon of the delicious and not so delicious flavours we’ve sampled en-route.

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Tastes of the north of France

Regional French flavours

Our French road trips always start from the southeast of the UK, so, often we scoot through the north of France and don’t really stop. However, we recently visited the historic city of Amiens in the Somme department in Hauts-de-France.

We came across a dish named ‘Ficelle Picarde,’ a regional dish from Picardy.

The Ficelle Picarde, a regional dish of Picardy, consisting of a pancake stuffed with cheese, mushrooms and ham, covered in a creamy cheesy sauce served in an oval pie dish
Ficelle picarde, Amiens
This is quite a filling little number and consists of a savoury pancake stuffed with cheese, mushrooms, and ham.
The scene of cafes that line the edges of Place Charles de Gaulle in Lille, northern France, underneath beautiful ornate buildings with the town's Clock tower in the background
Place Charles de Gaulle, Lille
With the city of Lille located so close to the border of the beer nation of Belgium, the locals do appear to enjoy beer over wine. That could be why one of their local dishes is the Carbonnade Flamande, a hearty beef and beer stew. It's definitely one for the winter months.

I love nothing more than planning a trip through France and so often I use the DK Eyewitness books.  I find them extremely informative, easy to follow and the pictures and maps tempt you into discovering more.

We used a previous version of this book to plan our French road trips, now you can grab the revised copy.

DK France Cover

North-western France

With its close link to English history
I’d say a little more Normandy to be precise, as we need to discover Brittany a bit further, although some dishes overlap. Galettes are a good example as their origins are Breton; however, they do appear to travel well.
A Breton buckwheat galette filled with camembert cheese and sliced potatoes.
A gallette with Camembert and cream, Normandy
They taste all the better washed down with a glass of Normandy cidre.
A bottle and 2 glasses of Cidre de Normandie served at the edge of the marina of Honfleur, filled with small sailing boats.
Cidre de Normandy, Normandy
A traditional French dish that can be found across most of the country is steak tartare (although its origins are mixed). Steak tartare is undoubtedly not a dish for the vegetarians amongst us. It is made from finely ground raw beef and often has onions and capers folded in. While we were in Rouen, Gary enjoyed the Normandy version, which had apples and a shot of Calvados to blend with it.
A plate of steak tartare served with a side salad and fried potatoes. this dish has a regional twist in that is covered with poached apples and shot of calvados spirit on the side
Steak Tartare, Rouen
France produces some tasty soups. One of my favourites is Soupe de Poisson. And there is no better place to have it than beside the harbour in Honfleur. More importantly, it needs to be served with all the trimmings, including croutons, grated Gruyère, and a thick rouille. Mmmmm.
Traditional bowl of fish soup served with crispy croutons, grated hard cheese and a remoulade on the side
Fish Soup, Honfleur
A dessert synonymous throughout France is profiteroles, and I have quite a soft spot for them and have sampled more than my fair share. However, I must say some of the most delicious ones I’ve had were in a ‘Casserole Bouchons’ in Caen. Perhaps not the traditional chocolate variety, but more caramel; the choux pastry and the filling were incredible.
Three profiteroles stuffed with different flavoured ice creams topped with toasted almonds with a dollop of whipped cream on the side, all drizzled with caramel sauce.
Possibly the best profiteroles, Caen

North-eastern France

Champage, Alsace and Lorraine
The north-eastern region of France is a food lover’s and wine lover’s paradise. It’s full of so many exciting flavours, from the vast selection of cheeses to the delicate bubbles of Champagne.
A view of young vines growing in the champagne region of France and you can clearly see red roses at the end of each row placed there to aid pollination
Roses on end of vineyard, Champagne
I also love the landscape and architecture in this region, the rolling vineyards around Alsace, Reims and Aÿ are such a pleasure to roam around.
A view of a mass of tables and chairs on the pavement side of the historic city of Troyes. The backdrop is the half-timbered buildings synonymous with the region.
Cafes in Troyes
Then there are the eye-catching half-timbered homes in Troyes and the stylish town square in Nancy, where families and friends congregate to dine together.
A view from the centre of the square Place Stanislas with three storey buildings with cafes at the bottom. You can also see the black & gold wrought iron gates and lamp posts.
Place Stanislas, Nancy
If you’re familiar with Alsace wines, you’ll remember the little green-stemmed glasses they are served in. Gary and I couldn’t resist buying a couple, as they are unique to this lush area of France.
Tables and chairs at a cafe in the Alsace region of France with the distinctive green glass stemmed wine glasses synonymous with the area.
Those green stemmed glasses, Alsace
In this region, they also serve tarte flambée, which we could never refuse, as they are so light and flavoursome. Our favourite is the traditional variety with crème fraîche, thinly sliced onions and lardons. However, we have since tried one with apples and cinnamon in Strasbourg.
The traditional Alsatian dish of Tarte flambée, served on a wooden serving slice to be shared.
Tarte flambée, Alsace
Take advantage of the fine selection of charcuterie served here; it's one of Gary's favourite lunch dishes.
A traditional Charcuterie shop, painted bright red, in the historic town of Troyes
A traditional Charcuterie in Troyes
Now, Gary also took one for the team while we were in Troyes, and he chose the andouillette de Troyes. For those of you who are vegetarians or faint-hearted, I would suggest avoiding it or just watching someone else try it. Gary rarely doesn’t eat his food; however, it wasn’t the taste that was putting off so much; it was the unbelievable smell.
an andouillette de troyes sausage served with sauteed potatoes, a roasted tomato and a creamy sauce
Andouillette de Troyes
To end this section on a more upbeat note, we come to Gary’s favourite French dessert, îles flottantes (floating islands). It is a traditional dish served north to south and consists of meringue floating on crème anglaise. However, you don’t actually see it that often, so whenever we do see it, Gary has no other option.
îles flottantes, Or floating islands desert at a Bistro in Troyes. The desert consists of poached meringue on a bed creme englaise, or cold custard, drizzled with a caramel sauce. This example is also dusted with freeze dried red berries
îles flottantes, Troyes

It made us laugh

We were sitting in a restaurant in Caen, and the French family next to us ordered îles flottantes. The waiter replied that this dish wasn’t on the menu, and even with our very limited French, when the gentleman’s response was ‘merde,’ we knew it wasn’t to be.

Central eastern France

Heartwarming foods of France
This whole area of France has some exceptional flavours. With the rich Beef bourguignon and Coq au Vin from Burgundy and the incredible local market in Annecy, I’m sure we’ll return.
Stall in Annecy’s food market displaying regional cured hams, meats and sausages.
A stall full of Saucissons on the market, Annecy
In this region, be sure to pay a visit to Lyon, also known as ‘the belly of France’. Here, Gary chose a local dish called quenelle, which is creamed fish poached in a light egg coating and apparently very delicious.
A traditional macaron shop in a side street in Annecy. Shop windows are full of tempting local sweet delicacies.
The Macaron shop, Annecy

I made the mistake of not translating a local Lyonnais speciality into English and decided upon Tablier de sapeur, which is breaded beef tripe. Needless to say, it was not my greatest choice, as tripe is not my thing.

We recently discovered a little town in the Jura region called Arbois. This town is so pretty and offers exceptional wine and food.

A bubbling pot of cheese fondue served in a cast-iron saucepan over a low heat.
A fondue typical of the Arbois region

Here, you’ll find the little-known vin jaune (yellow wine) and vin de Paille (straw wine). The vin jaune is similar to sherry, so it is quite intense.

We decided to eat at La Finette, which serves regional dishes. Even though it was quite warm outside, Gary couldn’t resist ordering the Comté fondue.

Although I ordered the French classic ‘soupe à l’oignon’, it is a treat when it is cooked well and served with the trimmings of French bread and melted cheese on top.

A large bowl of French Onion soup served in a cast iron cooking pot with a ladle to help yourself.
A bowl of French Onion soup, Arbois

Have you seen?

While travelling through this beautiful country keep a lookout for 12 of France’s incredible UNESCO World Heritage Sites, you may want to add some of these to your road trip.
May / 2019

12 UNESCO Sites to visit in France

Featured image for “12 UNESCO Sites to visit in France”

South-eastern France

The flavours of Provence, the Côte d'Azur, and so much more.
Ahh, beautiful Provence. When I think of Provence, I think of a crisp, delicate glass of light rosé wine, sitting in the dappled sunshine without a care in the world, and olive groves stretching as far as the eye can see.
Enjoying 2 glasses of rose a wine and a cheese board with a selection of local produce and fresh bread with the chutney in the centre at St Remy de Provence.
Rose & fromage, St Remy-de-Provence
A visit to this region isn’t complete without stopping by in Avignon. Gary had his most memorable crème brûlée in this picturesque city. He can still remember the delicious lavender flavour infused within it.
A cobbled street scene in Avignon, France, with tables and chairs lined up outside a cafe
A Café in Avignon
With Provence in your rear-view mirror meander along the ochre Côte d'Azur coastline. This is a stunning part of France, and I never tire of visiting. Our little hideaway here is Villefranche-sur-Mer where we sit and watch the daily catch being sold on the harbour front. Some lucky person will be enjoying a fruits de mer.
A fish stall next to the small harbour of Villefranche sur Mer with the fisherman's boat moored alongside.
The fish stall, Villefranche-sur-Mer
However, if you love the bustling vibes of a local market, head just around the bay to Nice. There’s a wonderful market in the Old Town just waiting for your custom.
A fine selection of fresh softs fruit on market stall in Nice, France. The stall is beautifully laid out with the bright colours of peaches, greengages, plums, kumquats and strawberries
Fresh Fruit at the market, Nice
Now, does Montélimar ring a bell? Well, it certainly will for those of you with a sweet tooth, as this is the home of nougat.
A shop in Montelimar dedicated to the sale of nougat, in the region renowned for this sweet treat.
A nougat shop in Montelimar
Then, a little hop south, you'll be back on the Mediterranean Sea coastline. You’ll discover the unusual sight of oyster and mussel beds in the saltwater of the Bassin de Thau.
A lagoon just outside Sète in France filled with raised wooden oyster frames from which the seafood is cultivated
The Oyster beds

Good to know

The French roads are so easy to drive upon, particularly on the autoroutes. They are often quiet and free-flowing. The main thing you need to bear in mind is that the autoroutes are usually toll roads.

Keep your credit card handy, as it’s one of the quickest and easiest ways to pay.

South-western France

A touch of the French Basque country
This is a region of France I’d certainly like to discover more of. We’ve visited a few places; however, there is so much more. One place I loved was Saint-Jean-de-Luz, nestled in the Bay of Biscay and it’s so close to Spain. You can see and taste the influences of Basque cuisine.
The Harbour of Saint Jean-de-Luz in late afternoon when the fishing boats have returned for the day
The harbour at Saint Jean-de-Luz

One dish that Gary and I both enjoyed was piperade, which is a typical Basque dish.

It is made from onions, green peppers, tomatoes and the local red Espelette pepper, which gives it a delicious boost in flavour.

Cobbled lanes in the centre of St Jean-de-Luz framed by traditional four story buildings, the traditional colours of green red white evident in the decoration of the town.
The old town of St Jean-de-Luz
Espelette is only 14 miles (23km) from Saint-Jean-de-Luz and is an amazing little town. Many of the houses and local stores have the Espelette peppers hanging on the outside of their walls.
The front of a cheese shop in Espelette, decorated in a mass of red dried Peppers for which the town is famous for.
A cheese shop in Espelette

Where to stay in France

There's a wealth of options for locations to stay in France, from the centre of historic towns and cities to the smallest of little villages, perfect for that road trip you promised yourself.

One thing is for sure: Booking.com has you covered. Filter by your specific requirements, and you are sure to find the perfect stopover. What are you waiting for? Take a look now.

Booking.com

Throughout France

Some of the finest food from the freshest ingredients
Travelling through France always brings a smile to my face. There are always the classic sights that you see while strolling around.
An elegant woman passing by I traditional artisan boulanger pâtissier on side road in Paris. The front of the art deco styled shop is panelled in wood with 2 large windows displaying chandeliers inside, there is a deep burgundy canopy covering the upper portion of the store.
Artisan Boulanger Patissier, Paris
My favourite will always be watching locals wandering around armed with their freshly baked baguettes. You are never too far from a boulangerie in France, and everyone buys one to enjoy fresh for that day.
Loaves of fresh French bread on sale on a market stall in France including a pain du champagne
Fresh bread on the market, Caen
Wherever you are, whether in a large city or a small village, traditional stores and street cafés often serve those French classics.
A black and white image, taken from inside a café, of a woman passing by with red umbrella, wrestling against the elements, on a stormy day in Paris
A blustery day in Paris
And what’s not to love about rubbing shoulders with the locals while they go about their daily shop in ‘Les Halles’. These beautiful cast-iron buildings are the mainstay of many French towns and are usually bustling most mornings.
Two old ladies walking past the covered Les Halles de Troyes, France
Les Halles, Troyes

So, while you’re in this charming country, always look for the French food and drink that just sings France.

It wouldn’t be the same for us if we didn’t see the good old Croque Monsieur, confit duck, the vast selection of cheeses, a patisserie, oeufs en cocotte and, of course, a Ricard.

Glass of Richard served with a jug of water for you to mix as you desire. Once you mix the 2 clear liquids the resulting drink turns a cloudy whitish colour
A glass of Ricard

The choice is yours

You have various options when visiting France if you’re travelling from the UK. Firstly, you can jump in your car and hop on Le Shuttle, this is our preferred option.

Also, you have the choice of letting Eurostar take the strain. You can catch a train from London St Pancras International direct to Paris. Then France is your Oyster.

Alternatively, if you are flying in, head direct to city of your choice, and check out the deals on Rental Cars as they search multiple well-known car hire brands

* This post may contain links to affiliated sites where we earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.

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  1. Reply

    I’m glad I didn’t read this hungry! It’s been so long since I’ve been to France. You’ve covered so many regions and their delicious foods..I really do need to get back. Thanks for linking up with #farawayfiles

    1. Author
      Reply

      France is an incredible place to go on a food discovery, some of the flavours are so distinct from region to region. Luckily for us there is so much more to sample.

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