When you’re traveling abroad with Millennium Tours, there is much to do within the day; museums, landmarks, and experiences all lie at your fingertips! In order to have the energy for all the day may hold, fueling up is important. Here’s your quick reference guide to eating in Paris.
The Parisian food scene runs at a more leisurely pace than the American get-in-get-out rapid pace. If you sit down at a café, expect to be there for at least an hour or even a few. Simple and scrumptious with a variety of options, street food offers a taste of France on-the-go.
We frequented crêperies throughout our Baylor Theatre Abroad trip while in Paris. With a variety of flavors and an affordable price, they offer a French flair to food-on-the-go. The crêpe is thought to trace back to 13th century Brittany region of France, and comes in both sweet and savory varieties. If you opt for the sweet, look for the “crêpe” side of the menu. If you are feeling savory, look for the word “galette.” Staple choices include sucre (sugar), jambon fromage (ham & cheese), and my personal favorite, nutella et banane (nutella and banana). Emmental is also a famous kind of French cheese!
Below, I will list a quick reference sheet for crêpe flavors from French to English to help you find what’s best for you!
Sweet: Chocolat (Chocolate), Confiture (Jam), Citron (Lemon), Miel (Honey), Fraise (Strawberry), la caramel au beurre sale (Salted Caramel), myrtille (Blueberry), cannelle (Cinnamon), etc.
Savory: Fromage (Cheese),Poulet/te (Chicken), Epinard (Spinach), Saumon (Salmon), Champignon (Mushrooms), Oeuf (Eggs), Bœuf (Beef), Porc (Pork), Dinde (Turkey), etc.
As a metropolis, France is home to more than just French food. Walking around areas like the Left Bank, you can find Greek gyros next to Chinese dumplings next to French crêperies and more! Members of Baylor Theatre Abroad loved shawarma, a popular Levantine dish often made of meat and mutton. It’s another great portable option!
You may pass a boulangerie (bakery), fromagerie (cheese shop), or even pâtisseries (pastry shops) on your journeys. Other great options include baguettes (bread), take-away sandwiches (remember the reference sheet above for ingredient assistance), pain au chocolat (chocolate pastries), eclairs, or macarons. The staple Parisian macaron shop La Durée can be found at major landmarks like at the base of the Eiffel Tower or inside of Versailles. They’ve been selling pastries since 1862, so you can’t go wrong trying their delicacies. I recommend the vanilla bean for first-timers and the Marie Antoinette for a more advanced palate.
You can enjoy these take-away treats anywhere on the go as you head to your next great moment. Bon apétit!