The best French regions for experiencing top-notch gastronomy
For most people, part of the joy of visiting France is eating well.
France is known for its gastronomy, and within the country, each region has its own specialities and stereotypes (both good and bad).
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In a recent
Ipsos survey
, 1,000 French people aged 18 to 75 were asked about their thoughts on French cuisine, with 92 percent saying they had a 'positive opinion of French gastronomy'.
They also offered their ideas about France's best places to visit for French gastronomy. Here were their favourites;
1. The south-west
In addition to having many of the
country's most beautiful villages
, the south-west is also home to foie-gras, cassoulet, and all things duck-related.
This part of France came in first place, with 41 percent of respondents referencing it.
In the south-west, you can find quite a bit of variation - the Atlantic coast near Bordeaux (Arcachon) is known for its oysters, while further inland in Toulouse you can get a delicious
saucisse de Toulouse
.
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2. The greater Lyon region
The self-described 'gastronomic capital of France', the Lyon area took second place with over a third of respondents listing it.
The Rhône département (which contains Lyon) had 97 Michelin-starred restaurants as of 2024, with 20 of them located in Lyon city itself, according to Ouest France.
If you visit Lyon, you should definitely eat at one of the traditional bouchon restaurants. These are the traditional Lyonnais restaurants that serve hearty dishes, like sausages, coq-au-vin or roast pork.
There are too many Lyonnaise specialities to get into here (although special mention to the pink pralines, and the praline brioches) but for foodies a visit to the city's giant food market
Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse
is a must.
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3. Brittany
The land of seafood, crêpes, cider, and butter-heavy 'Kouign-amann' pastries followed in third place, with about one in four French people naming it in the Ipsos survey.
If you are not in the mood for a crêpe (the sweet, classic French pancake, notably eaten during
La Chandaleur festival)
, you can opt instead for a galette, the savoury alternative.
This coastal region has long been popular with tourists, not solely due to its gastronomy, but also thanks to its sandy beaches, beautiful countryside, prehistoric landmarks and quaint towns.
The region has also become a more popular summer destination due to its milder temperatures, especially as southern France contends with a greater volume of heatwaves and droughts.
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4. Alsace
The eastern French region, which has switched hands between the French and Germans on multiple occasions, came in fourth place.
You might know of Alsace as the home of Strasbourg - everyone's favourite part of the country to visit at Christmas-time - and sauerkraut, but it has plenty to offer.
Alsace has its own variation on pizza, called Flammekueche, which involves a flatbread topped with cream, red onions and lardons. The region also is home to the 'Alsace Wine Route' which brings in thousands of tourists every year to enjoy Riesling and other white wines.
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5. Burgundy
The home of French people's favourite dish (
Bœuf bourguignon
) took fifth place. Burgundy is also known for
escargots
(snails), as well as Burgundy wine which often
competes with Bordeaux
.
You can enjoy a dry red wine from Burgundy, made from pinot noir grapes, or a white wine from chardonnay grapes (like a Chablis or a Côte de Beaune).
Aside from wine, Burgundy is also home to Dijon (and its mustard) and it has plenty of UNESCO sites, castles and museums to visit.
What about the other parts of France?
After Burgundy, respondents mentioned Provence (tie for 6th), Auvergne (tie 6th), Savoie (7th), Normandy (8th) Occitanie (9th), Nord (tie for 10th), Île de France (tie for 10th), Corsica (11th), Aquitaine (12th), Corsica (13th), La Réunion (tied for 14th), Lorraine (tied for 14th), Antilles (tied for 14th), Jura (tied for 15th) and Dauphiné (tied for 15th).
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Do you agree with the ranking? Which part of France do you think has the best culinary offering?
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