Beyond Baguettes: Discovering the Food of Paris

Introduction:

When you think of French food, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Maybe a freshly baked baguette, a buttery croissant or a plate of cheese? Before I arrived in Paris, these were some of the foods I associated with France. After living here for over a month, I've realized that these stereotypes are partly true, but there is a lot more to discover about the food culture here in Paris!

One of the first things I noticed was how many bakeries there are. It seems like almost every street has a boulangerie, which is the French word for bakery. And yes, people really do walk around carrying baguettes! It's something I see almost every day. Bakeries also have all sorts of delicious treats and baked goods. Some of my favorites are fougasses (a type of flatbread that reminds me of pizza) and pain au chocolat (a pastry filled with chocolate). There are also so many other treats, like pastries and colorful macarons.

What food did I try?:

Out of all the foods I've tried so far in Paris, my favorites have been the baked goods, especially crêpes! A crêpe is a thin pancake that can be served sweet or savory. One thing I love about crêpes is how affordable and customizable they are. You can choose from different fillings depending on what you're craving.

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