If you thought a trip to France was all about visiting museums and monuments, think again! Take it from us – French gastronomy is among the best in the world, and shouldn’t be overlooked when you visit the region.

The term “Haute Cuisine” originated in Paris, where great chefs turned cooking into art. From the era of Louis XIV until shortly after the revolution, Parisian cuisine evolved and developed to become one of the best in the world.

France’s capital city of Paris has some of the highest-quality food in the country, and a commitment to culinary excellence which is rarely matched elsewhere in the world. If you are planning a trip to the City of Light, we recommend devoting as much of your time as possible to sampling the local gastronomy. One fantastic option is to take a Food tour around Paris, to ensure you don’t miss out on any of its unforgettable dishes!

In this article, we’ll take a look at the best recipes Paris has to offer – those which you can’t afford to miss if you’re visiting. Grab your notebook and pencil as we go through the list below, so you can seek out the best dishes while touring Paris and its monuments.

The Best of Parisian Cuisine

1.    Cassoulet

This exquisite dish comes from Languedoc-Roussillon, and is not for the faint of heart – it’s made up of duck legs, pork, and white beans, although there are other ways of preparing it. This recipe has been a favorite of peasant families for centuries, and is still eaten today at family gatherings.

2.    Duck à l´’orange

As the name suggests, this delicacy is prepared using duck legs – salted and poached – and a delicious sweet and sour sauce made with oranges, vinegar and sugar.  The result is a delicious dish with a fibrous texture and a very strong, intense flavor. If you go on a Food tour in Paris, you should make a point of sampling it in one of the city’s best restaurants.

3.    The Mouclade of Charente

This recipe uses Bouchot mussels (a rare and underappreciated breed), cooked with a dash of garlic, shallots, herbs, eggs, spices, cream, and the essential ingredient: Pineau de Charente, a local alcoholic drink.

4.    Onion soup

Another famous and popular dish that we couldn’t leave off this list is the famous “soupe à l’oignon”. Chances are, you’ve already tried a version of this soup; however, the original French version is incomparable to any other. This recipe dates back to the Middle Ages and has become immensely popular for two reasons: it tastes great, and its ingredients are cheap and easy to find. The soup is served by frying onions in plenty of oil and butter, and the Parisian version adds a touch of authentic Gruyère cheese, giving it a unique flavor. Despite appearances, “soupe à l’oignon” is quite a heavy dish, ideal for the depths of winter, and typically served with a rustic loaf of bread.

5.    Breton crepes

Visitors to France will notice that Breton crepes stores are ever-present throughout the country. These stores serve up savory crepes made with buckwheat flour, lending them a somewhat gray color.  Crepes come in a wide variety of flavors, the most popular ones begin ham, cheese and egg, and Andouille and onion.  The best crepes in Paris can be found in the Montparnasse district, which is definitely worth a visit!

6.    Ratatouille

This dish has always been popular in France, and the Pixar movie of the same name has ensured that it is well-known in even the most remote corners of the world. As per the movie, this dish consists of a mix of vegetables – tomatoes, zucchini, eggplants, peppers and onions – which are chopped into thin slices and arranged in a bowl, to be seasoned with garlic, oil and lots of oregano. An incredibly light, healthy and tasty dish!

7.    Macarons

Macarons are a sweet snack, ideal for accompanying a hot drink at tea time. They consist of a small sponge cake made with almond flour, and filled with a sweet paste which can take on many different flavors, such as chocolate, pistachio, strawberries, etc.

8.    Quiche Lorraine

The recipe for this quiche hails from Lorraine – hence the name – but Paris has made it its own. This delicious tart is made with eggs, butter, cream and grated cheese, with a touch of olive oil, nutmeg, and black pepper. Paris adds a distinctive touch with the addition of crispy bacon, cut into thin strips.

9.    Croque Monsieur

A typical French sandwich made up of two slices of bread, ham and béchamel sauce, which is topped with mounds of grated cheese and baked au gratin in the oven. A fried egg can also be added; this variation is known as the croque-madame.

10. Petit Four

One of the most famous desserts in French cuisine, these small sweet pastries are made of puff pastry, cream and bite-sized almonds, and come in a wide variety of flavors. They are a very traditional pastry of the city of Paris, and we guarantee you’ll love them!

These are our ten recommended dishes which you can’t miss, should you decide to go on food tours through Paris. We hope that you get the chance to try them out, and that you find them as delicious as we do!