The 20 most famous dishes of France
French cuisine is the world's school of classical cooking, the source of sauce and pastry techniques, ranging from simple country food to haute cuisine.
1Croissant
France's flaky butter crescent, crisp outside with many soft layers inside — the symbol of the French…
2Ratatouille
A Provençal vegetable stew of aubergine, courgette, peppers and tomato in olive oil and herbs.
3Bœuf Bourguignon
Burgundy's classic beef stew with mushrooms, pearl onions and carrots, simmered for hours until meltingly…
4Coq au Vin
Chicken braised slowly in a dark sauce with mushrooms, onions and herbs — one of France's best-known country…
5Quiche Lorraine
A savoury tart from Lorraine with crisp pastry and a creamy filling of eggs, cream, bacon pieces and cheese.
6Bouillabaisse
Marseille's famous fish stew with saffron, fennel and tomato, served with toast and rouille sauce.
7Crêpes
Wafer-thin pancakes from Brittany, filled with sugar and lemon, chocolate or jam.
8French Onion Soup
Slowly caramelised onions in beef stock, topped with toasted bread and melted, browned Gruyère.
9Croque Monsieur
A hot Parisian café sandwich with cheese and béchamel, grilled until golden.
10Cassoulet
A casserole of white beans with duck, sausage and lamb, baked for hours under a golden crust — the dish of…
11Confit de Canard
Salted duck legs cooked slowly in their own fat until meltingly soft, then the skin is crisped — from…
12Steak Frites
Seared steak with crisp fries and herb butter or pepper sauce — France's quintessential bistro dish.
13Gratin Dauphinois
Thin potato slices baked slowly in cream, milk and garlic until tender with a golden top.
14Salade Niçoise
Nice's Mediterranean salad of tuna, eggs, tomatoes, green beans, olives and anchovies.
15Blanquette de Veau
A white veal stew in a cream, butter and mushroom sauce — one of France's best-loved home dishes.
16Tarte Tatin
An upside-down apple tart: apples caramelised in butter and sugar, covered with pastry, baked and turned out.
17Crème Brûlée
Silky baked vanilla custard under a crackly shell of caramelised sugar you break with a spoon.
18Macarons
Small coloured almond meringues, crisp outside and chewy inside, filled with ganache or buttercream — the…
19Éclair au Chocolat
Fingers of choux pastry filled with pastry cream and glazed with shiny chocolate.
20Baguette
France's long loaf with a crackling golden crust and open, airy crumb — inscribed on UNESCO's intangible…