If you want to experience authentic Paris culture, one of the best ways to do it is through food. There is nothing that illustrates France’s place in history and culture more, be it in the form of Napoleonic soldiers introducing the baguette (allegedly!), or pastries devised in the 17th century to please the French royalty (croissants take a bow – created for Marie Antoinette, again, allegedly!)
For an authentic Parisian experience that envelops you in the architecture, tastes, stories, skills, and traditions of France, an Eating Europe Paris food and wine tour Tour allows you to rendezvous with artisanal merchants and passionate producers while feasting on the flavours of France and Paris.
The Montmartre Paris Food and Wine Tour
The winding cobbled streets of Montmartre, with its bohemian vibe and iconic landmarks, are the perfect backdrop to savouring some quintessentially French flavours. My guide, Isabelle, on this three-hour-long Paris food and wine tour was passionate about food and introduced us to some of the most amazing tastes, starting with a pain au chocolat in a boulangerie where she explained how they’re made and have 27 layers of buttery pastry.
We slurped several varieties of succulent oysters or shrimp for the non-oyster fans, accompanied by a glass of excellent Loire Valley white wine, as locals popped in and out of the popular poissonerie and gave us an approving nod. Isabelle explained the origins of the oysters and how they’re farmed. She’s a walking encyclopaedia of food!
In the award-winning, renowned Boucherie Jacky Gaudin, we had the most amazing pate en croute, “considered a typical peasant’s lunch” in the old days, said Isabelle, but this is no ordinary meat and pastry treat. I’ve never had better.
We had a selection of divine cheeses, authentic Breton crepes and cider, chocolate in the Alain Ducasse (the world’s most Michelin-starred chef) chocolaterie and Pierre Hermé (voted best pastry chef in the world in 2016) macarons, and the most amazing cream puffs I’ve ever had.
We had a history lesson on Montmartre, Paris, France, and food as we walked, and Isabelle pointed out the best spots for photos, including one of the Eiffel Tower from the top of Montmartre, the prettiest squares, the most amazing buildings, and secret streets. It really is a fabulous way to take a tour of Paris.
Do not eat before you take a tour, is my advice!
A Morning in Paris
There are several types of eating tours, including a morning tour in which you start with the soft, warm, buttery flavour of a croissant and the rich aroma of hot, strong, black coffee as the Paris streets begin to wake up. This is the perfect introduction to Parisian life as you explore the aromas and flavours of the effortlessly stylish 1st and 2nd arrondissements.
Discover palatial gardens, the stunning neo-classical Pompeian décor of the Galerie Vivienne and enjoy Viennese coffee by the Louvre. Then feast your eyes on the iconic Rue Montorgueil, which is famous for its cafés and restaurants, bakeries, fishmongers, cheese shops, wine shops, produce stands and florists.
As part of this 2.5-hour tour, you’ll try the best of the best that Paris has to offer, from pastries to cakes, chocolate and cheese, and take part in a croissant tasting contest at one of the city’s finest bakeries. You’ll learn the art of patisserie making and visit top chocolatiers – and it wouldn’t be a morning in Paris if it didn’t include French cheese on a fluffy baguette from a top artisan baker.
Le Marais Food & Wine Tour
The trendy and dynamic 4th arrondissement, known as the Marais District, is famous for its many art galleries, boutiques, bistros, bakers and patisseries. The historic Marais was once marshland, but after it was drained, it became an aristocratic quarter in the late Middle Ages, and its medieval heritage is still evident – there are more intact pre–French Revolution buildings here than in any other district in Paris.
With the 3-hour Marais Food and Wine Tour, you’ll take a deep dive into French cuisine. Indulge in a croque-monsieur at one of Paris’ most famous cafés and learn some of the secrets of top pastry making in France. Savour a traditional boeuf bourguignon washed down with a well-paired French wine at a renowned bistro. And try French cheeses aged and refined in a 17th-century cellar by master cheesemongers, and enjoy a super chocolate tasting.
Left Bank Food & Wine Tour
The Saint-Germain-des-Prés district in the 6th arrondissement is perhaps best known for the literary and artistic greats of the 19th and early 20th century who lived there. With cobbled streets, iconic landmarks, luxury boutiques, dozens of bookshops and masses of art and culture, it’s an elegant part of Paris. Established in 1887, the Café de Flore is one of several famous cafés in the district, once frequented by notable figures such as Hemingway, Sartre, and Simone de Beauvoir.
The 3-hour Eating Paris: Left Bank Food & Wine Tour will take you back through time to learn about some of the most historic and iconic French dishes. Bread made in the French Revolution and by a Michelin-starred Chef, famous apple tarts from the orchards of France and cheese from the fromagerie that once supplied the French “Chef d’état”. This tour is a fusion of old and new cultures, and you’ll also sample exquisite caviar and experience farm-to-table French cooking at one of the city’s best Néo-bistros.
Eating in Paris like a local
To truly experience Paris and French culture, do more than just visit. Discover the flavours, the stories and the history that goes into making Paris one of the culinary capitals of the world.
Led by an expert local guide who will reveal some of the city’s many culinary secrets, an Eating Europe food tour will take you to some of the most iconic food destinations of Paris. You can also opt for a private, customised tour designed to match your taste buds perfectly.
To find out more or to book, visit: eatingeurope.com/paris
