10 Foods You Must Try in France

Before I write this article, I must let you know that nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing compares to the food we have in England. There is not a day that goes by when I’m not daydreaming about Pizza Express, Zizzi’s, ASK Italian, Wagamamas, Jamie’s, Nando’s, Franco Manca, Fire & Stone and so many other beautiful restaurants that the UK boasts. And when it comes to supermarkets in France, it’s the same story. French supermarkets have nothing on Tesco’s, let alone M&S and Waitrose. However, despite a huge lack of variety, the French manage to do some dishes pretty well, and there are some signature foods that you should not leave France without trying. So, if you’re on your year abroad, or even on holiday in France, make sure to try these ten!

Aligot

I discovered this wonderful creation on a trip to our recently opened Christmas market in Toulouse - there's a stall that makes an appearance every year, and is renowned for its great Aligot. Some friends had tried the dish on a trip to Carcassonne, where there had been a food and drink festival, and had given it raving reviews, so I was eager to try. To sum it up, Aligot is mashed potatoes blended with cheese (mozzarella or tomme are the best cheeses to go in the dish) with garlic, salt, butter and cream. Despite its limited ingredients, it is absolutely delicious, and such a good go-to comfort food. Make sure to try, if you’re in France during the winter! You can even make it yourself, if you fancy!

Tomme forte de Savoie

Tomme, which is the cheese often used in Aligot, is one of the best cheeses I have ever tasted in my life. I wasn’t a big cheese fan in the UK (I blame my Dad for putting me through 20 years of Mild Cheddar, thanks Robert), however, in France, you can’t not be a cheese fan. If you spend a considerable amount of time in France and make French friends, it’s likely you’ll have wine, bread and cheese nights – they’re the French equivalent of going to Nando’s or ordering a Domino’s. If you become fed up of camembert and brie (which you will, if you’ve eaten as much as I have), Tomme de Savoie makes a great alternative, it’s similar in its texture and taste, but more flavoursome.

Roquefort

If you’re not a huge fan of strong cheeses, steer clear. Roquefort is a blue cheese, which can only be aged in the natural Combalou caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, and it goes incredibly well in salads and pastas. For meat eaters, try Roquefort sauce on your duck – it’s rumoured to be one of the tastiest dishes. If you’re a veggie, try baked stuffed aubergine with Roquefort and dried figs or walnuts - both are perfect for the winter. If you head to Meet The Meat, a lovely restaurant in the centre of town, you'll find it in nearly every dish, so make sure to give it a little try!

Caviar d’aubergines

For a friend’s 21st, we ventured outside our usual restaurants in Toulouse, and decided to try a Moroccan restaurant, which is named Ksar, and situated near to Carmes metro station, if you’re visiting Toulouse or the Pyrenees! Being a non-meat eater and having a lifelong hatred for couscous, I was apprehensive as to whether the restaurant would cater to my taste. Fortunately, there was an entrée comprised of four different vegetarian dishes with salad, amongst which was caviar d’aubergines. Surprisingly, caviar d’aubergines isn’t caviar, it’s a vegetarian purée made of aubergine flavoured with garlic, salt, olive oil, sour cream, thyme and rosemary and pepper. It’s perfect for eating with salads or being used as a dip for bread. Make sure to try it!

Falafel Kebab (in pitta)

Before heading out on my year abroad, I had never eaten a kebab (this surprises everyone, I know, it’s outrageous) and I was eager to try one. France has a huge Moroccan population and one of their specialities is the falafel kebab, made by deep-frying falafel, adding salad and onions, and stuffing it into a pitta, to the point where nearly all of the ingredients are spilling out (it's fabulous). If you don’t eat meat, it can be hard to find a filling veggie lunch, however, falafel kebabs do the trick – they usually keep me going for the rest of the day. Ask for Sauce Algérien or Sauce Blanche in the kebab too – you’ll thank me later.

Palmiers

I was fortunate enough to have a number of French bakeries and patisseries on my way to University, whilst studying in Toulouse, one of which is PAUL (which we do have in the UK, too, but obviously, the French one is superior) and they are full of freshly-baked, sugar and butter-filled pastries from around 7am in the morning, which made my four hour lecture mornings a lot easier (especially Mondays). Palmiers are French pastries in a heart/butterfly-like shape, made from puff-pastry which you can buy them sweet (sugar-coated) or savoury (add tapenade or pesto to them). They’re even better than pains au chocolat and croissants, which you become bored of very, very quickly.

Macarons

It doesn’t matter where you try macarons in the UK, we just don’t compare to the French. Over in la France, they're the real deal. A macaron looks like a pastel-coloured sandwiched cookie, and is made of a meringue-like pastry. You can buy them from nearly every patisserie you come across, and McDonalds’ McCafé stocks them in all the colours you could dream of. If you’re in Paris, visit Le Café Fauchon – their macarons are the best I’ve ever tasted, and they have plenty of other sweet treats, such as éclairs and cakes, which you can stuff down you, alongside a chocolat chaud (which is coming up next! ).

Chocolat Chaud (épais)

Despite being the world’s biggest café fan, I am yet to find this concoction in Costa, Caffé Nero and all the other cafés I frequent so regularly, whilst back home in the United Kingdom. I’ve included it as a food on the list (try eating for the rest of the day after one of these and you’ll see what I mean) because it simply isn’t a normal hot chocolate. Like Italy’s Cioccalata Calda, France’s épais (thick) hot chocolate contains whole milk and corn starch to make it incredibly thick (almost like a a dessert). It tastes absolutely divine, and is the ultimate treat for those with a sweet tooth! For Toulouse's BEST hot chocolate, head on over to Flowers Café, where their Chocolat Chaud is arguably the best I've ever tried.

Adélie Caramel Icecream

This one’s more for those who are coming to live or study in France, rather than holidaygoers (so ERASMUS students, prepare to meet your new best friend). If you’re near an Intermarché supermarket, search high and wide for this ice cream in the frozen dessert aisle (I had to, but it was so worth it). Recovering from a night out, I had ventured to the supermarket for something to accompany a good 5-hour Netflix binge (the only thing that really cures a hangover) and this ice cream is just the thing. I’m a massive Haagen Dazs and Ben & Jerrys fan, and Adélie (which is an own-brand product by the supermarket) is on the same level. You can also buy Adélie ice cream in Rum & Raisin, Chocolate, Vanilla & Pecan and Vanilla flavours (the possibilties are endless).

Anything from McCafé

I am still struggling to comprehend why the UK haven’t cottoned on to this, I am utterly obsessed (although, maybe it's because we'd all become obese). McCafé (if you didn’t guess by the name) is a small café section within McDonalds restaurants, which stocks every sweet treat and hot drink you could ever ask for, from macarons, signature French pastries, muffins and cookies to teas, hot chocolates and frappés (and English breakfast tea! You should have seen the look on my face) which explains why it’s my one of my most frequented places in France (no, I really didn't out that much). Also, it’s surprisingly cheap, especially when you compare it to Starbucks prices in the UK! Not particularly a cultural choice, but who doesn’t love Maccies?

Obviously, France has so much more to offer, but for the sake of your health, I think I'll stop here. Just be sure to try as much new food and drink as you can in France, especially in Toulouse, as it really is a gastronomical capital!

Pictures courtesy of Mireille Harper & Alex Reay

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