France is the epicenter of fine dining, where you can indulge in delicious foods and drinks. Many people turn up in Paris to experience itsMichelin-starred restaurants, while others love trying the local offerings of different regions, boasting natural bounty and picturesque scenery.

There’s a great variety of restaurants and their specialties, offering a veritable feast for gastronomes. If you’re planning a trip to France, here are some of the top culinary destinations of the country you must visit.

Capital of French Gastronomy – Lyon

Critics consider Lyon the capital of French cuisine, and it’s the best foodie destination in the whole country. This has a lot to do with the late Paul Bocuse, an iconic French chef who introduced and championed a lighter style of cooking. He opened many restaurants in Lyon, one of which has record-breaking longest-running three Michelin stars.

Lyon is home to the classic coq au vin, and a signature salad, salade lyonnaise, named after the city. these two dishes are the must-haves in Lyon, France. Also, try escargots à la Bourguignonne—snails cooked in parsley sauce and garlic butter—if you’re feeling adventurous!

Multicultural Port City – Marseille

Marseille is a vibrant port city in France and one of the most exquisite culinary destinations. It features a new generation of creative, young chefs putting out contemporary dishes made with local, organic, and sustainable produce.

Besides contemporary dishes, Marseille cuisine is also full of traditional French food. For example, Bouillabaisse, the classic French specialty, was invented in this city. It’s a fish soup that may sound weird but is mind-blowingly delicious. Other regional specialties include:

• Navettes – boat-shaped biscuits scented with orange blossom
• Pastis – Cloudy aniseed aperitif
• Aioli – drip frites, vegetables, and fish

An Underrated Gem – Lille

Lillie is a hidden gem of France, offering a wide variety of dishes, from sweet to savory. Like Marseille, the chefs here put their modern take on traditional, local cuisine to offer some of the best dishes, such as:

• Carbonnade flamande – A Flemish stew made of beef, beer, onion, berries, mustard, and juniper
• Le Welsh – toast with a spread of mustard, topped with ham, and covered in melted cheddar and beer
• Merveilleux – delicate meringue and cream cake with chocolate shavings, crushed praline, or crystallized meringue

 

Heaven for Pastry Lovers – Paris

Parisian café culture, prestigious Michelin-star restaurants, and classic French bistros are what make this capital city one of the most lovedfoodie destinations around the world. It stands out for its bakeries featuring pain au chocolat, croissants, and baguettes, as well as salons de thés(tea house) and pretty patisseries.

Besides indulging in croissants andlegoûter(afternoon tea), make sure to spend an evening in a French bistro and get authentic dishes like onion soup, steak frites,and Croque monsieur.

If you want to know more about popular famous culinary destinations France, follow my food blog at Irina Bukatik. I’m an avid traveler and a food enthusiast who loves sharing travel experiences and talking endlessly about incredible food cultures worldwide. Feel free to share your comments and thoughts with me.