French Food Tours: My Experience as a Foodie in Paris-dise with Eating Europe
Thank you to Eating Europe for hosting me. As always, all opinions and recommendations are my own. This post also contains affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure policy here.
Earlier this month, I spent a week in Paris. Although this wasn’t my first trip to Paris, it was the first time I spent a decent amount of time exploring the City of Lights. With good weather. And let’s face it, good weather (along with skipping the long Paris lines) can truly make your trip, right? Another first for me in Paris was taking a food tour. A French food tour is fantastic and there’s no better way to explore a city than through its food! This was my experience as a foodie in Paris-dise with Eating Europe!Paris Resources & Recommendations
- Accommodations– Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile (where I stayed) or find the best prices on places to stay in Paris
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– Find the best deals on flights
- Allianz Travel Insurance
– Protect yourself and your trip-get a free quote
- Lonely Planet Guidebooks– The best (and my personal favorite) guidebooks out there. Get the Lonely Planet Pocket Paris Travel Guide or the Lonely Planet Best of Paris 2018 Travel Guide!
About Eating Europe
Screenshot courtesy of Eating Europe
Eating Europe was established in 2011 by American Kenny Dunn and currently offers 18 unique food tours. Each of these tours lasts approximately 4 hours in length and includes 6-7 authentic tastings. Their mission is to deliver non-touristy food experiences in undiscovered neighborhoods across Europe.
There’s a reason they have received over 3,000 5-star ratings on TripAdvisor. They deliver on their promise to fulfill their mission. A non-touristy food tour in an unknown (to the tourist) neighborhood was exactly what I hoped to receive and did receive. And, I couldn’t have been happier!
First thoughts of food in Paris are usually croissants, chocolate, cheese, and wine. While this does describe a lot of Paris’ food, it isn’t nearly the full gamut. With Eating Europe’s new Paris: Hip Eats & Backstreets tour, you get the expected and the unexpected which is what I like to refer to as the best of both worlds.
Paris: Hip Eats
Definition of “Hip”: (adj) following the latest fashion, up-to-the-minute, all the latest rage.
Because this word was in the title of the tour, I expected food beyond the classics. My expectations were correct! Now, keep in mind I said “beyond” the classics and not “instead of” the classics. For those who are wanting those classic French foods, don’t worry, they are included on this tour. In addition, you also get to experience Paris through its trendy food too, just as a Parisian would!
Paris: Backstreets
Definition of “Backstreets”: (noun) a minor street remote from a main road.
When I read this word in the title, I figured I would be touring streets I hadn’t yet seen before in Paris and that wouldn’t be full of tourists. This assumption was also correct and you know what? It was refreshing!
If you like to eat like a local when visiting destinations, this is the tour for you!
Paris: The Hip Eats on the Backstreets
Our tour consisted of 6 stops in the 10th arrondissement (borough or district) of Paris. Known as an up-and-coming area of Paris, the 10th arr. is full of chic, trendy cafes, charming parks and the Canal Saint-Martin.
Hip Eats 1: Croques-Monsieurs at Fric Frac
Our first stop was right here on the Canal Saint-Martin to try two different kinds of croques-monsieurs from Fric Frac. A croque-monsieur is a fried or grilled ham and cheese sandwich that originated in French cafes as a snack. However, they are a bit different from what we think of with the American grilled ham and cheese.
We first tried a traditional croque-monsieur. I was pretty excited about this because I personally love croques-monsieurs and I came with a completely empty stomach! 😉
The flavor was amazing. There’s nothing better than warm ham and cheese on slightly toasted bread melting in your mouth!
Next, we tasted the nontraditional croque-monsieur and tried to guess what all was in it. I could come up with two of the ingredients: avocado and basil. It also had peas, pesto, tomatoes, and mint. Interesting combo, right?
Verdict: While both were good, my favorite by a long shot was the traditional croque-monsieur for two reasons. One, I’m just a huge fan of hot ham and cheese and two, I’m not a huge fan of avocado. But I did like the mint twist!
Interesting Fact: The Canal Saint-Martin is 10 meters (33 feet) deep and is cleaned every 20 years. It was last cleaned in 2016 and they found everything from guns to bikes and even bras when they cleaned it!
Location: Fric Frac is located at 79 Quai de Valmy, Canal Saint-Martin, 75010 Paris, France
Hip Eats 2: Charcuterie & Wine at TSF Epicure
Our second stop was at TSF Epicure for charcuterie and wine. If you aren’t familiar with this term, charcuterie refers to the way meats such as salami, ham, bacon, sausage, pâté, and confits are preserved and are typically smoked or dry-cured.
This culinary skill was especially popular before the days of refrigeration and has made a comeback especially in farm-to-table concept restaurants.
Our charcuterie tray consisted of an array of different meats and was paired with
bread, butter and a Pinot Noir from the valley. I enjoyed the different dry-cured meats as well as the pâté. I actually eat dry-cured meats at home quite often!
Interesting Fact: The most traditional charcuterie is a pork with salt from the mountains. Also, charcuterie (especially the pink ham used in croques-monsieurs) is used as a measure of the economy. If less is being sold, prices go down and if prices go up, there’s usually an inflation in the economy.
Location: TSF Epicure is located at 9 Rue Alibert, 75010 Paris, France
Hip Eats 3: Couscous at L’amalgame
Our third stop was at the Moroccan restaurant L’amalgame. I had literally just flown into Paris from spending two weeks in Morocco. I enjoyed seeing the French influence in Morocco and so it was interesting to now have Moroccan food in France!
We sampled the couscous with chickpeas and golden raisins and we topped it with a broth that contained carrots and zucchini. Served alongside the couscous was a spicy sausage called merghez. Thankfully (since I don’t like spicy food), the merghez wasn’t very spicy and I enjoyed it!
I can not leave out the Moroccan staple of mint tea. We washed our couscous and merghez down with a fabulous mint tea. I will say right then (and all throughout my time in Morocco) because of the heat, I wanted to put ice in that yummy, sweet mint tea and cool it down!
I guess you can take the girl out of the South but can’t take the South out of the girl. We love sweet, iced tea here in the Southern United States!
Location: L’amalgame is located at 12 Rue Bichat, 75010 Paris, France
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Hip Eats 4: Cheese at Paroles de Fromagers
How pretty is this set up?
Perhaps the coolest of restaurant interiors we visited was downstairs at the Paroles de Fromagers where we got to taste several types of cheese! After all, it isn’t a true French experience without cheese, right? 😜
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to see all the different regions in France the different kinds of cheese came from.
We tasted a Crottin de chevre (goat cheese), Brillat Savarin (triple cream), Brie de Meaux, a Beaufort (pressed cheese) and a Tomme de Savoie (semi-firm, mild cheese). This tasting was paired with an almost 2-year-old Chardonnay that had an apple flavor.
Verdict: Although I’m not a huge fan of really strong cheese, I typically don’t discriminate against any kind of cheese. If I had to name a favorite, there would be a tie between the goat cheese and the brie. I absolutely LOVE goat cheese and brie!
Location: Paroles de Fromagers is located at 41 Rue Faubourg du Temple, 75010 Paris, France
Hip Eats 5: Pastries at Yann Couvreur
It’s Paris. Chic box containing delectable French pastries. Win!
Yes, I said it. Pastries. Got your attention didn’t I? Just like with cheese, it isn’t an authentic French food experience without pastries! We actually stopped by Pâtisserie Yann Couvreur earlier on the tour, but since they weren’t quite ready for us, Leo (our guide) picked them up while we were eating couscous and we actually ate them in the park.
We tasted two different pastries. The first was the Tarte Framboise Estragon which is French for a raspberry tarragon tart. It was exquisitely pretty and I didn’t want to mess it up.
Not wanting to mess it up lasted all of two seconds. I was ready to taste it and it didn’t disappoint!
The second pastry was the Eclair Caraibe. An eclair in France! I was ecstatic! I could taste the cream and chocolate icing as soon as I laid eyes on this masterpiece.
Verdict: The Eclair Caraibe most definitely. Hands down. I think it was actually my favorite thing we ate on the entire tour!
Location: Pâtisserie Yann Couvreur is located at 137 Avenue Parmentier, 75010 Paris, France
Hip Eats 6: Coffee & Ice Cream at Buly
Photo courtesy of Leo Goldstein with Eating Europe
The final stop was actually the only stop on the tour I missed. Because the tour was (with prior notice) moved back 30 minutes (and I mistakenly thought it was a 3-hour tour vs a 4-hour tour), I had to leave right before arriving at Buly in order to make another previously scheduled event.
But there’s a silver lining here. This means I just get to go back to Paris because I can’t possibly leave any fabulous food uncovered, right???
Location: Buly is located at Rue 45 de Saintonge, 75003 Paris, France
PIN IT!
Are you hungry yet? I am and I will be dreaming about the yummy food I had in Paris with Eating Europe for a long time to come!
Have you taken a tour yet with Eating Europe? What do you think your favorite food would be on this tour?
‘Til next time…
Trimm Travels,
I have a serious sweet tooth and I’m so drooling over the pastries! This sounds like an excellent tour, and with 18 to choose from, you could spend your entire time taking a new tour! Food tours in places as it is such a great way of understanding the food scene and culture. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Lara, I totally agree! I LOVE to explore a city through its food. It just gives so much insight. This Paris tour with Eating Europe had amazing food! Thanks for reading! 🙂
We will definitely be taking a food tour or two when we go to Europe. I love French pastries (actually, all pastries but French in particular) but I also love cheese. I think my favorite would be that soft cheese (middle left) that was almost molten at room temperature. It looks so creamy and decadent.
Hi Jenn and Ed-yep, the cheese was gloriously delicious! If you love French pastries in particular, then this is most definitely the food tour for you! Thanks for reading! 🙂
We will be in Paris for a week in October. That would be a good time to discover it as a foodie! Thanks for the tips about Eating Europe!
Hi Carol, you will LOVE Paris! Definitely check out this food tour with Eating Europe while you are there. The food is amazing and you can truly learn about a local area of Paris that isn’t touristy! Thanks for reading! 🙂
Gorgeous food photography! I’ve been to Paris a few times but was never a fan of the food… probably because I am gluten free and can’t enjoy the croissants. Was definitely living vicariously through you for this post though!
Hi Sarah, thank you! And yeah, Paris can’t be a top destination for gluten-free I don’t think. My best friend has Celiac’s and I think it might be hard for her too. But thank you for your compliments and for reading! 🙂
Oh my gosh this does look SO DELISH! Paris I got hot and cold for, but I don’t think anyone can argue that the food isn’t amazing. Looks like a great tour!
Hi Eileen, it was awesome-the food in Paris is divine! Thanks for reading! 🙂
Yum, yum! Wish I had been with you! Is there one of these in England?
Judy-You would have loved it! Yes, they do have a few different food tours in London! 🙂
You’re totally right: The weather can totally change your perspective of a place – which sometimes is very un-fair (pun intended…).
The tour sounds just great – I love that they included a hearty couscous…although, strictly speaking, not French food but from regions they used to occupy 😉
Hi Renata-nice pun! LOL! But yes, weather totally can make or break your trip! And on the couscous, very true, but having just come from Morocco it was an interesting tie-in! Thanks for reading! 🙂
I couldn’t eat most of these things because I’m vegan but the nontraditional croque sounds really interesting and delicious! I’ve seen pea (like a paste) put on a lot of things lately. It seems so versatile and anything with avocado? Sign me up@
Hi Ashley, the nontraditional croque was most definitely interesting. I did like it, but just not as much as the traditional. I’m not a huge avocado fan unless it’s in something like sushi where I’m tasting the other stuff over it. It’s a texture thing for me mostly! Thanks for reading! 🙂
I love Paris and go 1-2 times a year! I’ll be back in October. I’ve done lots of food tours but not this one! The 10th is a great arrondissement to eat in. I have picked up a few addresses to check out – so merci!
Hi Andi-this was my second trip to Paris, but my first to really explore. I loved it so much I definitely want to make it a fairly common travel destination. Definitely check out this tour in October especially if you love the 10th! Thanks for reading! 🙂
Not the post for me on a diet day! How wonderful to be introduced to all this in the Parisian neighborhoods. I’ve heard that the 10th A. is the place to be too. I love being guided on a food tour in a new city.
Hi Elaine-LOL! Nope, not a good diet post, I agree! I wasn’t familiar with the 10th before this trip to Paris, but the whole “not on the touristy streets” was very appealing to me. I liked the mix of iconic French food with different, more uncommon eats. I also love to be guided on food tours in new cities! Thanks for reading! 🙂
A food tour in Paris? Yes please! Just reading your post … well … I have only this to say: J’en ai l’eau à la bouche. 😉
Hi Michael, haha! I’ll take your word for it! 😉 Thanks for reading! 🙂
I love the croque-monsieur too. So simple but so good. And is any visit to Paris complete without sampling some of the pastries? I think not! The ones you tried look delicious.
Hi Damien-nope, no trip to Paris is complete without sampling pastries! They were absolutely delicious and the croque too! Thanks for reading! 🙂
Food tours are such a fun and delicious way to get to know a new place! And with as well-known as France is for its foods, it sounds like you picked a great place for a tour!
Hi Brianna-this tour in this area of Paris was absolutely phenomenal! Try it out if you get to Paris! Thanks for reading! 🙂
I love food tours! What a great way to experience French culture and French cuisine. We’ll be in Paris next year, I’ll have to keep this in mind for when we travel there.
Hi Astrid, yes most definitely check this tour out…it is SO yummy and very informative too. Just a great well-rounded, taste of everything tour! Thanks for reading! 🙂
This made me realize just how much I missed while in Paris. I had no idea, but Parisians actually go to Morocco for vacation because everyone speaks French there. HUGE French influence in Morocco so the food shows it as well. The L’amalgame would prob be the place I would go to every day because I am obsessed with Morocco and & not a huge fan of Ham…. the sweets and pastries though!!! Let me just be able to eat carbs all day without the weight gain……please God, this is my one Christmas wish 😉
Hi Janiel-I’m with you! Please let me eat all the carbs and not gain weight, please God! Yes, heavy French influence in Morocco and everyone does speak French there (just about). That was another thing that was so cool about this tour for me because I literally landed in Paris from Morocco so it was cool to see the crossover! Thanks for reading! 🙂
Food tour is a fantastic way to explore a city. You are able to hit up so many places in 3-4 hours! Patisserie Yann Couvreur sounds lovely – their tart and eclair make me drooooool! I will definitely look up this tour when I am in Paris next time!
Hi Cat, yes definitely check out this tour when you go to Paris! The eclair was out of this world…it was truly amazing! You’re right, you can hit up so many places in a short amount of time on food tours. They’re awesome! Thanks for reading! 🙂
Oh wow Eating Europe is in Paris! This is good to know as they are an incredible food tour company. I love how they served two pastries, woowwww!
Hi Carmen, yes! They are now in Paris…it’s a new tour and it’s amazing! Well organized, great selection of foods that cover a true taste of Paris! The pastries were amazing, my favorite was the eclair…yummy! Thanks for reading! 🙂
Ohhhh man, you’ve just made me so hungry!! The cheese tasting at Paroles de Fromagers looks like my dream come true, but I’d also love to try the croques-monsieurs with avocado.. I’m a HUGE avocado fan. Love these options, thanks for the tips 🙂
Hi Erica, you would LOVE the croques-monsieurs with the avocado for sure! Check these out if you make it up to Paris! Thanks for reading! 🙂
I am very foody. Your blog makes me hungry. Can you suggest any traditional food in Europe? I would love to taste raspberry tarragon.
Hi Imran-For traditional food in Europe, you would need to be more specific as there are SO many traditional foods across the continent that vary by country. There’s a raspberry tart and where to get it in this article above! Thanks for reading! 🙂