A food lover's guide to Northern France

Perhaps no country has a history quite so steeped in gastronomic tradition as France does. Knowing where to go to taste such a rich history is crucial to successful feasting. So, in this article, we consider some of the most signature northern French food – get ready to tuck in.

When it comes to northern French cuisine, Brittany knows a thing or two about both sweet and savoury delicacies. 

Galettes

Try one of Brittany’s favourite galettes – the Breton galette. This is a savoury buckwheat crêpe, loaded with grated cheese, a slice of ham and a sunny-side-up egg on top. Sounds pretty delicious to us.

Crêpes

This paper-thin, delicate batter is adored all over the world, and there’s no better place to try it than at a crêperie in Brittany. The sides of the crêpe can be rolled to encase the filling, forming textured parcels of pure goodness. Breizh Café in walled Saint-Malo is a great place to try out this northern French food, especially when paired with a bottle of cider.

Normandy knows their fromage. Courtesy of swathes of farmland and herds of dairy cows, Normandy supplies France with some of its best cheeses.

Cheese

Creamy Neufchâtel, buttery Camembert and pungent Pont-l’Évêque – all named after their respective communes offer a taste you won’t be able to resist. Pay a visit to Camembert and indulge in a cheese platter, accompanied by a glass of wine at Prieuré Saint-Michel.

Cider

While technically not a food, Normandy’s cider had to feature on the list. Specifically, the village of Beuvron-en-Auge, found in Normandy, boasts delectable tipples such as apple cider, Calvados and Pommeau. Paired with a seafood dish fresh from the coast, this spot is perfect for trying out all that northern French cuisine has to offer.

The region of Île-de-France is home to arguably one of the best food cities in France – Paris. So, expect quick and flavourful foods.

Croque monsieur and madame

A croque monsieur consists of lightly toasted and buttered sourdough bread slathered with béchamel sauce and sometimes Dijon mustard. It’s then followed by grated cheese and a slice of ham. Add in another slice of toast coated in béchamel and cheese to the mix and finish it off with a grilling. A croque madame is similar, just with the welcome topping of a fried egg.

With a Flemish influence, Hauts de France is a region that combines the best flavours from its neighbours paired with its own produce. 

Moules

Moules marinière is a classic variation when it comes to mussels in Northern France. Fresh mussels are cooked in bountiful amounts of white wine, parsley, shallots and, of course, butter. If you’re feeling indulgent, this recipe often has flour, cream and garlic added to it, which makes moules à la crème. 

Flamiche au Maroilles

Seafood not your thing? Well, make sure to try flamiche au Maroilles – a rich concoction of Maroilles cheese, creme fraiche and butter, all baked into a soft, golden pastry.

Pastry lovers, unite. Grand Est is another region in Northern France that borrows some inspiration from those across the border. Their food is a riotous celebration of Germanic fare with a delicate French spin.

Quiche Lorraine

A classic. Quiche Lorraine is a pie encrusted with a buttery, shortcrust pastry creating the perfect centre stage for the creamy egg, lardons and the occasional addition of cheese. If we’re getting traditional, a Quiche Lorraine doesn’t actually feature cheese, however, the inclusion of fromage is often found in modern variations of this dish, adding a tangy creaminess to the affair.

Pâté Lorrain

Another classic from Lorraine in Grand Est is the Pâté Lorrain, which pairs pork and veal in a flaky puff pastry crust. For a flavourful dish, other ingredients typically are added, including white wine, parsley and shallots, giving a refreshing note to the meal. 

Tarte flambée

Try a tarte flambée – an Alsatian ‘pizza’ of sorts. The dish consists of a thin dough, onions, bacon and sour cream. The onion is cooked in the bacon, infusing it with a smoky, woody flavour, and when baked, it’s a thin slice of crisp, rustic French fare.  

With a variety of culinary highlights including pastries, seafood and cheese – these dishes are sure to make anyone’s mouth water. So, whether you want to indulge in a leisurely breakfast of pastries and coffee, savour a platter of seafood at a seaside restaurant or sample local cheeses – the foods of Northern France await you.