I would not be surprised if everyone who ever thought about traveling to France, also thought about eating lots of French food. Of course, it has been at the front of my mind every time I have traveled to France. It is a good tour to do especially do as a solo traveler. Also, doing a food tour in every new country I visit is on my bucket list, and I am always looking for ways to check things off. However, I did not end up booking a food tour in France until I had visited the country several times.
Food tours are great for several reasons. Spending hours strolling through new cities with wonderful guides. Tasting the best or most unique food a country has to offer. And, discovering hard to find restaurants and food stalls makes food tours special. However, my food tour in France had an unexpected twist to it. Let me start by saying that France is one of two countries in the world where food culture is so important to the society that it earned a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The other country being Japan. UNESCO rewarded France for its gastronomic meals. The French people’s appreciation for celebrating food and all the things that accompany a delicious meal are worth the honor.
Almost every country has amazing food and special meals that make those countries stand out. But, the French have a way of preparing a gastronomic meal with a succession of dishes of food paired with wine, beautiful table settings, and the social aspects that are all very “French.” Meals tend to be long, and start with an aperitif and end with a digestive. In between those two drinks, restaurants serve an array of beautifully prepared dishes.
Page Contents
Why A Food Tour in France?
I was really excited about doing a food tour in France. Along with its designation as a cultural world heritage, France also has the appellation d’origine controllé (protected designation of origin). It is the certification that France gives to several agricultural products, to include its wines, cheeses, and butters.
I had hoped that the food tour would not only include these amazing French treats, but it would also introduce me to some of the country’s infamous dishes. When I thought of doing a food tour in France, I thought about succulent duck confit, fluffy soufflés, escargot, or the lesser known French salted caramels.
To be frank, I expected to experience the fancy side of French food. Food tours in France, however, focus mostly on the simpler side of French cuisine. Things, such as freshly made baguettes, cured meats, macarons, eclairs, and of course crepes. While it was not what I expected, it was still worth it.
Which City To Do A Food Tour?
I think that you should do your food tour in Paris, hands down. Part of the food tour experience is to see the city. What better way to see Paris than while strolling the streets on a food tour. There are multiple food tour companies to choose from, however, I think they do a poor job distinguishing themselves from each other. I chose Secret Food Tours Paris in Montmartre. The online description of the tour was slightly underwhelming. But, I felt the same way about all of the food tours I researched.
During my many trips to Paris, somehow I had never been to Montmartre. It is a village full of charm, located in the 18 arrondissement and is thought to be one of the city’s most famous districts. Montmartre is quite the scene with its artistic vibe, museums, and influences on cinema. It is also known for its gourmet cooking and multi-generational mom and pop restaurants and shops.
How Much Food Will I Eat?
Normally, I chose food tours that have between 8-10 tastings at multiple restaurants around the city. I found the food tour in France to be quite different from all of the other tours I have been on in other countries. We went to a lovely chocolate shop and tasted some of the best macarons I have ever eaten.
But, during most of our other stops, we just talked about history. The history of the shop and the food they sold. Cheeses, cured sausages, and eclairs were all on the menu. However, we did not enjoy these tasty treats at the local shops. Instead, our guide collected all of the food and we all sat together for a “meal” at the tour company’s shop.
We finished the day at a small stand to have one of the most iconic French desserts, crepes. I must say that the food tour in France was the only one I have been on where I did not walk away completely stuffed. That may seem like a positive thing, but I was slightly disappointed. Particularly since it was the most expensive food tour I have ever been on.
How Will We Get Around?
You will have the chance to see beautiful Montmartre by foot on a 3-4 hour guided tour. You will see and learn about this popular district and wonderful French culture. Wear comfortable walking shoes and keep your eyes open to view the city’s charm.
Ultimately, I am glad I did the tour. As part of my bucket list food adventures, the goal is to have new food experiences. I certainly had that on my food tour in France. Even if I think Paris let me down. Not that the food I had on the tour was not great. But, why not show off the glamorous side of French cuisine to the world? For whatever reason, it is hard to find tours in France that are able to do what other countries have perfected.
Leave A Comment
Error: Contact form not found.