The French are known internationally as being culinary masterminds. So what do they eat on a daily basis? Each region of France has a variety of specialities, but one thing that remains the same whether you are in the North or the South of France, good quality food is a must. So here is a breakdown of what you can find from the first to the last meal.
Breakfast/ Petit déjeuner
I am about to shatter your illusions about what you think breakfast in France looks like. Now I know that one of the first pictures that come to mind is delicious pastries such as croissants and pain au chocolat.
That tasty buttery croissant is not a breakfast daily staple
Although croissants with freshly brewed coffee sounds like an ideal way to start your morning, it is not an everyday occurrence. These sweet treats (or viennoiserie as they are called in France) are normally reserved for the weekend.
So if the French don’t have this every day for breakfast what are they eating? Yoghurt! Yes, that’s right, yoghurt topped with confiture aka (jam/UK jelly/USA). There are so many confitures to choose from, apricot, pear and fig just to name a few. It gets even better as many are homemade.
If yoghurt is not your thing, then you can always have bread and butter. Now that might sound bland, but with so many bakeries and different varieties of freshly baked bread, it doesn’t sound too dull after all. If you want to sweeten it up, then go ahead and spread some confiture on top.
A cup of coffee is the beverage of choice, however, it is very far from what you will find at Starbucks. Coffee is simply an espresso with possibly sugar and a splash of milk.
Lunch/Dejeuner
Lunchtime whether between work colleagues or at home with the family is an enjoyable moment. So if you have any errands that need to be done, this is not the hour to do it as banks and other services are all closed during this period as they enjoy their lunch too.
The lunch hour (or two) is truly dedicated to sitting back and relaxing while eating a good meal.
You will most likely find terraces and restaurants brimming with people between 12 pm and 2 pm. If you are looking to eat at a restaurant outside of these hours then there is a chance that the kitchen may be closed.
For those who opt for a sandwich, it is more than two slices of bread thrown together with some cheese or meat slapped in the middle. Instead, you’ll get a baguette or another good quality bread, with three or four ingredients for a very filling lunch.
Pre-dinner drinks / Apéritif | Apero
Are you used to having a nibble before lunchtime? Or a little snack somewhere before dinner to keep you going in the day? Snacking is not something you will find the French do, but with so many varieties of cheeses and regional wines to choose from, where do the French possible find time in their day to have this meal? Let me introduce you to the Apero! Now an Apéritif or often referred to as an apero is pre-dinner drinks. You can expect to find finger food nibbles or sometimes enough variety that you can skip dinner altogether.
Dinner / Dîner
Similar to lunch, dinner is a meal to be enjoyed and not rushed. If you had a very heavy meal during the day, you can expect to find something a little lighter.
Are you surprised by the daily French eating habits of the French? Was you expecting something slightly different? Leave your thoughts below and let me know what has surprised you the most about what the French eat
