Summer in France is all about fresh, seasonal food, relaxing café terraces, and long evenings with friends.
Whether you’re just traveling or settling into your new life as a student, you have to try these French summer foods and drinks.
French summer foods you’ll love
Salade niçoise
A colorful mix of tomatoes, green beans, hard-boiled eggs, olives, and tuna or anchovies, this salad comes from the sunny city of Nice. Dressed simply with olive oil, it’s light yet filling—perfect for hot days.
For the best salade niçoise, look for small restaurants near the Old Town (Vieux Nice). Local restaurants insist on using raw ingredients only—there are, for example, no cooked potatoes or green beans in the traditional version.
Melon de Cavaillon
This sweet, juicy cantaloupe from Provence is a summer staple. Often served chilled with slices of cured ham, it’s refreshing and full of flavor.
We recommend getting your hands on these tasty melons at an outdoor market in Aix-en-Provence. Local producers often sell their melons at a better price than supermarkets—the fewer intermediaries in the chain, the cheaper the price. You’re also guaranteed to get the freshest produce, as melons are often picked from nearby farms and sold on the same day.
Moules Frites
Steamed mussels in a white wine, garlic, and herb broth, served with crispy fries. Simple, comforting, and perfect for sharing. Best enjoyed at a seaside restaurant in Marseille or along the coast in Biarritz, for example.
French people often use an empty shell as a pincer to eat the rest—don’t be shy to get your hands dirty, dig in, and enjoy the moment.
Légumes farcis
Stuffed vegetables—like tomatoes, zucchinis, and bell peppers—baked with a savory filling of minced meat, herbs, and breadcrumbs.
You can get delicious légumes farcis in Lyon. The city is considered the culinary capital of France and is filled with traditional Lyonnais restaurants called bouchons lyonnais.
It’s quite an easy dish to make at home, but if you’re not a pro cook, here’s our pro tip: get freshly made légumes farcis at the Halles Paul-Bocuse in Lyon, bring your treasure home, and have a feast with friends!
Clafoutis
French cuisine is not all about savoury. It is also well-known worldwide for its sweet cakes and pastries. One cake you can particularly enjoy during summer is the French clafoutis.
This rustic baked dessert, made with seasonal fruit (traditionally black cherries) and a light, custard-like batter, is a staple in France.
And the perfect drinks to go with them
To pair with the above dishes—or to enjoy with a cheese board:
Wines
France is the country of wine, and summer is no exception. Wine can pair well with hot temperatures.
First on our list is a chilled rosé. Rosé is the drink of summer in France. With subtle notes of berries and herbs, it’s perfect for pairing with salads or seafood. The French drink rosé with food, not just before meals.
Second is any fruity white wine. From Sauvignon Blanc to Chardonnay, fruity white wines are ideal for summer. They’re fresh and pair beautifully with light dishes.
Important note: In summer, always serve wine well chilled—but never with ice.
Perrier tranche
For those who aren’t into alcoholic beverages, we recommend ordering a Perrier tranche. Sparkling mineral water with a slice of lemon or lime, it is a classic non-alcoholic refreshment in France. It’s light, fizzy, and perfect during warm afternoons.
Next time you gather at a Parisian terrace with your French friends, order a Perrier tranche and you’ll make a good impression.
Hungry for more about life in France? Read more about French cuisine and culture on our blog.
