The French are known for a lot of great things - art, fashion, design, and food. France is home to the Michelin Guide, which rates restaurants across the world on strict standards. When in Rome, do as the Romans do; and when in France, eat as the French eat. Imagine walking down avenues lined with trees on side and quirky street-side cafes and bakeries on the other, from which you grab a freshly baked croissant, or a luscious pain au chocolat. Lunch is a delectable sirloin steak, and maybe some macarons for tea. At night, the Eiffel Tower twinkles in the darkness as you tuck into some delicious duck au confit and some artisanal cheese, with a glass of authentic French wine at a trendy bistro. You’re in the most romantic city in the world, the city of hopes, dreams, and best of all, great food – Paris!
Why Take a Food Tour in Paris
Paris is the gastronomical capital of the world, not only because of its incredible local cuisine, but also because of the style and innovation chefs bring to their dishes, by mixing different, unexpected flavors. Paris alone has 616 restaurants with at least 1 Michelin star! While it may be tempting to restaurant-hop in Paris, it can also be cumbersome to travel alone around the city. When on a Paris food tour, not only are you in a group, there is portion control - ensuring you can try lots of new dishes without stuffing yourself.
Moreover, having a guide is helpful in this scenario – not only will you gain insider information on the kinds of cheeses and wines to try on a wine and cheese tour, but the guide will also point you towards the best places to eat and try out new things. Best of all, there are also ways to combine Paris food tours with sightseeing. Imagine having dinner at the Eiffel Tower, sailing down the river Seine, and watching a world-famous burlesque show, all while indulging in some scrumptious French dishes!
Paris Food Tours
Wine and Cheese Tasting Private Tour
France is known all over the world for its delectable wines and cheeses. Don’t miss out on this tour, where you’ll spend your time with a specially trained oenologist – a professional wine taster – who will teach you how to pair wines with food. Taste 4 different kinds of wine, and three different kinds of cheese, and pick up tips on how to store and savor them on this food tour in Paris. Do note that this tour is not for those under the age of 18.
Saint-Germain Pastry and Chocolate Tour
If you have a sweet tooth, this tour is the one for you – travel through the fashionable Saint-Germain-des-Pres and taste several varieties of pastries, chocolates and bread along the way. On this particular culinary tour of Paris, you’ll be accompanied by a friendly tour guide, so this experience will be both delicious and educational. Please note that this tour lasts for three hours.
Baguette to Bistro, Culinary Traditions of Paris Walking Tour
Learn about the roots of French cuisine, and the culinary traditions that make French food so mouthwatering, as you along the Saint-Germain-des-Pres. Visit local wine shops, restaurants, and fromageries with your friendly guide - a professional French chef or a food writer. This walking food tour in Paris allows you to interact with the shop owners too, so don’t forget to pick up some tips on the best foods to try!
Paris Food and Experience Tours
Lunch at Le Bistro Parisien + Optional Seine River Cruise
On this Paris foodie tour, get the added experience of boarding a glass-canopy boat to sail along the Seine. Enjoy a wonderful 3-course French meal at the famous Le Bistro Parisien. Pick from classic French dishes like poultry terrine, chilled ratatouille soup, pan-fried salmon steak and others, and once on your cruise, be sure to take plenty of pictures as you catch stunning views of Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, The Parliament, Musée d’Orsay, Notre Dame Cathedral, Louvre, and more.
Dinner Cruise on Seine with Champagne
Enjoy your three-course French meal while sailing down the Seine on a special marina boat, on this incredible Paris food tour. Savor an authentic French meal (there’s even a vegetarian option and a child menu available!) while you admire views of the Musée d’Orsay, Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, the Conciergerie located on the Ile de la Cité, and the Louvre. Be sure to catch the enchantingly illuminated Eiffel Tower at 9:15 PM!
Tour of Paris, Seine Cruise, and Lunch at the Eiffel Tower
This special tour is for the explorer and the foodie in you – not only does this include a tour of Paris, but also a scrumptious lunch and relaxing cruise! Your friendly tour guide will take you around the city in a comfortable air-conditioned coach. Don’t miss views of landmarks like the Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe, as you reach your next destination – your cruise ship on the Seine! Sail down to the Eiffel Tower, and enjoy the view from the first floor as you dig into your delectable 3-course French meal at the famous 58 Tour Eiffel Restaurant!
Dinner at the Eiffel Tower, Seine Cruise, Moulin Rouge Show
This Paris food tour includes incredible experiences at the Eiffel Tower, the Seine River Cruise, and the Moulin Rouge burlesque show. Visit the 58 Tour Eiffel (after skipping the exhausting line at the tower), and indulge in an authentic 3-course French meal. Float gently down the Seine and catch gorgeous views of the Louvre, the Concierge, Notre Dame Cathedral, and many others. Finish off by watching the world-famous burlesque show Moulin Rouge!
Must-Try French Foods
While there are a wide assortment of dishes and desserts that make French cuisine delectable, here are some crowd favourites:
Baguette: This long, narrow, and crisp bread is a staple in Paris. Perfect for sopping up sauce, it can also be had with some jam and butter for breakfast, or even with cheese. Great places to get fresh baguettes include Mahmoud M’Seddi’s bakery at Paris 14th arrondissement, and Brun Bakery in the 13th arrondissement.
Cheese: French cheese comes in many shapes, sizes and flavors, and Parisian fromageries generally have a very broad selection. Be sure to sample Munster, Brie de Meaux, Camembert, Roquefort, and others at shops like Chez Virginie, Quatrehomme, and Fromagerie Laurent Dubois!
Coq Au Vin: This is a bistro classic, consisting of chicken braised with red Burgundy wine, mushrooms, and lardons, seasoned with pepper, thyme, parsley, and bay leaves. Visit La Rotisserie d’Argent and La Jacobine to sample this delicious dish!
Crêpe: This thin, flat pastry made of wheat flour, milk and eggs is a very versatile French delicacy, and can be eaten as a sweet dish or a savory galette. While Paris is famous for its many crêperies and roadside stands, some of the best places include Crêperie Mad'eo! and Krügen.
Croissants: These scrumptious, multi-layered, buttery delights are the very essence of French bakeries and patisseries, and come with many fillings, flavours, and toppings. If you’re up for this classic French treat, visit Des Gâteaux et du Pain or Pichard, amongst many others!
Éclairs: Technically speaking, an éclair is a pastry made of choux dough, filled with cream and topped with icing - the perfect combination of texture and flavor. Visit L’éclair de Génie and Stohrer to try some incredible éclairs.
Foie Gras: This French delicacy is made of duck or goose liver that has been specially fattened, giving it a rich and buttery texture. Generally paired with a soft white wine like Bergerac or Sauternes, this is a must-try dish while visiting Paris.
Macaron: Made of meringue and sandwiched with a ganache, buttercream, or jam filling, this adorable-looking desert is best sampled at Ladureé, the largest macaron house in the world, or Pierre Hermé, known for their unusual yet enticing flavors.
Meringue: This delicious concoction is made of whipped egg whites and sugar, and is known for its versatility in the baking world. Find it in Paris in the form of macarons, with whipped cream, or sold simply as they are!
Paris Brest: This is a special French dessert with made of choux pastry, filled with praline cream, and adorned with flaked almonds and powdered sugar. Check out Jacques Genin and Chez Michel for some this delightfully textured treat!
Tips before you go on the food tour
- Many famous restaurants tend to double as tourist attractions, and hence may be quite expensive. Try to eat where the locals eat, and save money and time.
- Don’t eat too much before your food tour! Remember to save space for the good stuff.
- Make sure to brush up on your table manners and etiquette before you dine at a restaurant. For instance, don’t forget to greet your hosts before you eat, and thank them after they have served you.
- Order tap water instead of bottled water, which can be quite expensive. Tap water is safe to drink in Paris.
