There is a long list of reasons to visit Paris. It’s the city of love and openly displays France’s rich culture and history for the world to see. However, not everyone travels to Paris to sight-see. Some people come for the food.
If you plan to visit Paris anytime soon and need ideas on some culinary adventures you could embark on, then you’ve come to the right place. As part of our food travel tips, here are some activities sure to satisfy your craving for the sweet and savory side of France’s capital.
A Journey for Your Palate
One easy way to immerse yourself in the culture of a new place is to sample the food, and Paris has a lot of food for you to discover. There’s something sweet and something savory waiting around each corner. Some activities are a bit more hands-on and leave you with a life lesson; others assault your mouth with too complex flavors to put into words. Either way, most tourists leave Paris with an overly positive food experience. However, you might not end up truly experiencing each thing if you overwhelm yourself. As such, here are eight activities you should try on your next visit to the city of love.
Baking Classes
French pastries are known to be delicate, airy, and mouth-watering. The baking techniques are a huge factor that contributes to the overall quality of French pastries. Some are hard to master, but you could sign up for an experience and learn at the heart of French cuisine.
You could design to sign up for an extensive baking trial that delves into different types of French pastries. Or, you could zero in on your favorite snack and choose a dedicated class. For instance, you might decide to enroll in a macaron class in Paris, trusting that the pastry chefs will be able to enlighten you.
The reason this works so well is because of the ambiance. Highly rated pastry classes happen in very comfortable rooms, but this doesn’t mean you won’t be working hard. Be prepared to challenge yourself so you might reap the reward of making your own pastry.
Fine Dining and Michelin Stars
Tourism is a form of escape. For the duration of your stay in Paris, you’ll want to make the most of your time and experience the very best of all. For food, the only limit is how much you’re willing to spend. You could have an elite Michelin-star dining experience one night and have breakfast in a quaint store the next morning.
The great thing about Paris is that there’s something for everyone. Not everyone has an adventurous palate, and if Snail isn’t what you’re interested in, you can still find great restaurants that aren’t as experimental.
However, doing extensive research before committing to any place is important. The last thing you want to do is spend a lot of money for an underwhelming dining experience. You’re probably in the wrong place if the food isn’t speaking to you or showing you an epiphany.
Watch this video for some ideas:
Aged Fine Wine
Everyone occasionally enjoys a bottle or two, but in Paris, you don’t need to limit yourself. If you consider yourself a budding wine connoisseur, why not test your skills? You can easily find a wine tasting or two in Paris, some themed around certain kinds of wine However, day drinking isn’t frowned upon. Make the most of this by taking a friend or a loved one along. See how many flavor notes each of you can discover, and don’t forget to enjoy the venue’s ambiance. Read this post for some more tips.
Watch this video to learn more:
Sweet and Savory Crepes
You don’t need to walk into a store to get a good crepe in Paris. Some of the best stuff is found in small, unassuming street stands. You just need to keep an eye out for stands like these or ask locals whenever you get the chance. It might seem like a hassle, but it’ll be well worth it when you bite into the most heavenly, sweet, or savory crepe you have ever tasted.
Watch this video for some tips on where to find the best crepe in Paris:
The Café Experience
If you have a sweet tooth, why not visit one of Paris’s infamous cafés, especially those with a view of the Eiffel Tower? Enjoy a rich espresso paired with a pain au chocolat or a warm, buttered baguette as you soak in the iconic scenery.
Some cafés double as bakeries, offering decadent pastries that are hard to resist. Pace yourself, or you might indulge more than planned. With luck, you might stumble upon a cozy spot with live music and friendly locals to practice your French. For a great list of the best cafés in Paris, click here. For a great list of some of the best cafes in Paris – click here. Or – watch this video:
Adventurous Food Hunt
While the fine dining experience is exceptional, you might also be an adventurous eater. There are some food items unique to France that you might want to try before the end of your vacation. You’re in for an amazing time if you can find a restaurant that cooks these items well.
Some examples include escargot or cooked snails. Some people can’t stand snails, but they are tasty once you try them. If you’re feeling especially adventurous, you should also try foie gras. Just don’t ask too many questions about how it’s prepared, or you might chicken out.
Also, on the subject of adventurous eating, raw steak might be just what you need. Steak tartare is a raw steak that is chopped, molded, and served with a nice sauce. You could also try cooked beef tongue or French onion soup to round out your food adventures.
Conclusion
Food connects people and transcends borders in ways that nothing else can. As such, it’s perfectly normal to want to experience what a country has to offer when you visit. However, with Paris, it’s important that you plan your every move before making it. There’s so much out there for you to experience, and you might end up on the wrong path if you aren’t careful.
If your visit is short, you’ll want to maximize your time by considering the points in this piece. There are many more fun activities you can embark on in Paris as long as you’re open to trying new things.
