Blanquette de veau (veal stew), beef bourguignon, sausages and mash
Ah, sumptuous dishes served with sauce. These well-loved French dishes are favourites among tourists and local meat lovers alike. Classics including blanquette de veau (veal stew), beef bourguignon and spectacular sausages and mash can all be found in Parisian bistros to the delight of visiting foodies. But rather than trying them in a bistro, how about choosing a bouillon – a Paris institution. Not familiar with them? Bouillons are down-to-earth restaurants that are currently making a comeback, welcoming food lovers and keeping traditions alive. You can eat authentic French dishes for extremely reasonable prices. Old-school prices, you might say! Come out of Pigalle metro station at midday on the dot and wait outside the restaurant just opposite. Inside, you’ll find a hundred or so tables, with patrons packed in elbow to elbow. There’s a traditional atmosphere inside, with lively chatter, carafes of wine and delicious terrines. Enjoy a classic three-course meal at Pigalle, with œufs mayonnaise (egg salad) followed by sausages and mash, and profiteroles to finish. Eaten your fill? Time to ask for the bill: L’addition s’il vous plaît! We guarantee, you’ll eat really very well for just EUR 17.
📍 Bouillon Pigalle, Boulevard de Clichy 22, 75018 Paris. Three-course set menu from EUR 15.
📍 You can also try the Chartier or Pharamond bouillons.
Crêpes and galettes
Brittany probably seems a very long way from Switzerland. But you could just stop off in Paris. You’ll find Breton crêpes and galettes to keep hunger at bay. Try buckwheat galettes with ham, egg and a little cheese. As for crêpes, they’re perfect just with sugar or dark chocolate. If you’re intrigued by Breton specialities, Breizh Café in Paris serves up wonderful crêpes and galettes with some rather unusual flavours and toppings. As you wander through the Marais district, stop by the crêperie and ask to see the menu. You’ll find classics such as galette complète (with ham, egg and cheese), or galettes with mushrooms or in a regional style, as well as more original recipes. The galettes served here will take you on a tour around the whole of France! Normandy, Britanny, Savoie, Provence – you’ll be spoilt for choice. In the crêpe world, simple is often best, but why not try their current specials? Surprise yourself by trying one with roasted soy flour and matcha ice cream. All galettes and crêpes are made using high-quality, local produce, giving you that warm, fuzzy feeling as you indulge in this popular speciality.
📍 Breizh Café, Rue Vieille-du-Temple 109, 75003 Paris.
Quiche Lorraine and other quiches
Which French speciality is easy to make and contains eggs, cream and whatever else you like? Quiche! Easy to eat and great when you’re eating on the go, quiche is a comforting slice of goodness to enjoy at lunchtime. But you need a great recipe to ensure it tastes right. Well, you’re in luck, because we’re off to Les Petits Mitrons in Paris, where they’ve found the perfect recipe. Head over to the 18th arrondissement and look for the vibrantly colourful store front, which seems to hark back to the 19th century. Inside, you’ll find your perfect quiche among the vast array spread out before your eyes. Choose your hand-crafted quiche from courgette and Roquefort, Provençale style, tomato and cured ham or the classic salmon and spinach, for a tasty lunch. To finish your meal on a sweet note, why not treat yourself to a slice of seasonal fruit pie?
📍 Les Petits Mitrons, 26 Rue Lepic, 75018 Paris.
Bouillabaisse
We’re heading south this time, for a fishy speciality. Yes, bouillabaisse! Our favourite spot in Marseille isn’t far from the station, so head over to Chez Michel when you get off the train. Bouillabaisse has been a house special there since 1946. The place doesn’t look that impressive from the outside, but it’s what’s on the plate that counts, and they take it very seriously! At Chez Michel, you can enjoy popular recipes that have been passed down from one generation to the next. The focus is always on taste. Fresh fish, caught the very same day, is key to this astonishing soup. You can’t beat an authentic bouillabaisse. A word of warning, though. Bouillabaisse isn’t cheap! It contains a variety of fish, which has to be the freshest it can be. If you find somewhere selling bouillabaisse too cheaply, it probably wasn’t made that day. If you want to ensure that you’re getting the very best that Marseille has to offer, book a table at our recommended restaurant, Chez Michel.
📍 Chez Michel, Rue des Catalans 6, 13007 Marseille. Between EUR 70 and EUR 90 per person.
Flan
The Marais district of Paris definitely has a lot more to offer. There’s a particular dessert that has become a French classic, and that’s le flan – a rich custard tart. The best one we’ve found is by Yann Couvreur, still in the Marais district. Enter the pâtisserie using the back door and your mouth will start watering as soon as you see the cakes on display. Ask the friendly staff for a slice of flan and sink your teeth into it straight away, right outside the shop. It’s a thick, generous tart, rich with exceptional Madagascan vanilla, with a gorgeously gooey texture and a crisp, flaky pastry case (obviously made on the premises). After you’ve finished your flan, just head back in and try some other delights! You definitely won’t want to stop after just a few mouthfuls.
📍 Yann Couvreur, Rue des Rosiers 23bis, 75004 Paris. EUR 4.50 for one slice.
Croque monsieur
You’ve probably never actually tried a real croque monsieur. A crisp exterior, soft bread oozing with béchamel sauce, the best quality cheese and exceptional ham. It’s a far cry from a hastily homemade cheese and ham toastie made as a Sunday snack. If you’re in Paris, you’ll get the chance to try one of our favourite croques monsieurs. Between the Marais district and the Georges Pompidou Centre, stop off at Carré Pain de Mie – a truly unique bakery. This is one of the only Parisian bakeries where they make Hokkaido milk bread. This bread is made with Japanese wheat flour, giving it a soft texture like no other. Order your croque monsieur: mochi mochi bread, Prince de Paris ham, 15-month Comté, grilled to perfection. Just a few minutes’ wait before you get to taste this delectable croque monsieur. For dessert, try their vanilla pain perdu. You’ll fall in love with it!
📍 Carré Pain de Mie, 5 Rue Rambuteau, 75004 Paris.
Our suggested specialities don’t include some of the classics (like foie gras and rotisserie chicken), but we wanted to share the best places to enjoy them on a plate rather than on the go. Now you just need to hop on a train from Switzerland to one of our French destinations and try them for yourself! Follow our guide.