One of the characteristics of the French lifestyle is the food they eat. In fact, food is an essential part of the French culture, and you can connect to the whole experience by exploring the impressive range of delicacies just as you want. All over the world, French cuisine is admired, and that is just to tell you how food matters in the daily lives of French people. 

But what’s really the fuzz around the cuisine? Well, everything. The French enjoy their cooking as much as they love eating. And it’s all about simplicity and class. They don’t put herbs and spices in food like it’s done in some countries. Several of their dishes have butter and sauces, while juices create smooth flavor in their recipes. 

The sophistication in French cuisine is a thing of pride for natives. In France, they eat like every other person in the world- breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Still, they savor lingering meals with different courses at every mealtime.

Meanwhile, there are 4 golden rules you should stick to if you want to eat like the French:

1. No snacking. Yep. French people might have an afternoon snack around 4-5 pm, but it isn’t a regular thing. 
2. But don’t feel guilty if you sometimes snack or indulge in some delightful dessert. Food is supposed to be enjoyed; therefore, no “cheat day”.
3. No “calories drinking”. An occasional glass of wine is always allowed but ensure to cut down on the high-calorie soda and coffee.
4. Do everything in moderation. It’s the secret to enjoying life without worrying about what meal comes next.  

So let’s take a look at what French people typically eat during the day.

What do French People Eat for Breakfast

During the week, breakfast is quick and simple but delicious. French people often have a piece of baguette with small butter and Bonne Maman jams. Butter and jam may sound off to you, but it’s a great combo. The idea is not to put too much of either on the bread. Sometimes, the French may also go for the coffee pot with breakfast. The most common type of coffee in the country is strong espresso.

This type of coffee is served in big mugs or rounded bowls, and it has a lot of warm milk. Hot chocolate and tea are other options. Here are other typical French breakfast options to follow that cup of coffee:

• Tartines is a toast with jam and is cherished for its simplicity and the sweet flavor that accompanies the coffee.
• Warm, flaky croissants are breakfast staples that are typically reserved for the weekends. But nowadays, they’re a weekday feature. When you’re in France, make sure you eat them warm.
• Pain au chocolat is a tasty, luxury morning pastry. Children would enjoy them on weekends.
• Sometimes, the croissants are followed by plain yogurt or a small amount of fresh fruit. 

On weekends, breakfast doesn’t change that much. However, what definitely changes is that most French people eat a bit later. And when they do, they thoroughly enjoy their breakfast. Breakfast is eaten with family or spouse, while during the week, they enjoy the meal alone before work.

What do French People Eat for Lunch

There are lots of things they eat during lunchtime in France. Some people leave work for about two hours to have a big meal accompanied by a glass of wine. Office workers in urban areas may have a sandwich from a street vendor or get a takeaway from a café. 

Restaurant Lunch

Anything goes with this option. A four-or three-course meal can be made up of an appetizer (soup, salad, or pâté), a fish or meat accompanied by a warm vegetable, and a type of potato, followed by dessert. Sometimes, a cheese platter could follow too. And as you might already know, restaurants are serving lighter lunches with common menu items.

• Oysters on the half shell on ice are on display. Spéciale de Claire is more preferred than Fine de Claire, but Spéciale Pousse en Claire is by far the best.
• Salade Nicoise is a very popular feature on many café menus. Named for the southern French city, hard-boiled eggs and tuna are the proteins in this meal that also has tomatoes, potatoes, capers, Nicoise olives, and occasionally anchovies. 
• Soupe à l’Oignon Gratinée is sweet-smelling and well prepared with caramelized onions and a crusty lid of grilled gruyère cheese. Indeed, the French onion soup is a classic. 
• Charcuterie is a range of sausages (handmade), dried ham, cured beef, and pâté. Expect Dijon mustard, small pickled onions, and cornichons with cheese and baguette. Then add a bottle of red wine, and you have a perfect French picnic.
• Street vendors and specialty crêpes restaurants offer both the sweet and savory varieties as a major meal or a dessert.
• Croque Monsieur is an open-face sandwich of cheese and baked ham topped with a velvety béchamel sauce. 
• Of course, the French fries.

Lunch at Home

Some still go home at lunchtime, and most of them eat a warm meal. It’s not as fancy as what’s in the multi-course restaurant menu, though. This style of ‘lunching’ is more popular in the countryside. 

Street Lunch

Work schedules can get tighter while commutes get longer, especially in urban areas. In such cases, French people patronize street vendors for sandwiches. The common sandwiches are on baguettes, with most classic choices being ham or cheese. You might also find tuna, boiled eggs, and salami. 

What do French People Eat for Dinner

Depending on the day of the week and season of the year, dinners in France vary. Couples who go home to indulge properly in a decadent lunch usually have a simpler dinner. But those who eat a sandwich at lunchtime might have a bigger dinner.

Given France’s size to accommodate a few different topographies and climates, the major meal differs from south to north and from the Alps to the Mediterranean. Sunday suppers with family and on special occasions become longer. They feature more courses while the dinner table is presented with quality linens, plates, serviettes, and cutlery. 

Here are some of the treats to have:

• For steak au Frites, the popular bistro dish, a lean entrecote is pan-fried or grilled, seared for some minutes on either side and immediately served with a generous dollop of béarnaise or Roquefort. A pile of crisp potato fries should be there, with a simple green salad.
• Bouillabaisse, from Marseilles on the Mediterranean Sea, is the traditional French fish soup you should try. Cassoulet is a warm one-pot meal native to the southwest of the country. The slow-simmered casserole is a recipe focused on meat (pork, pork sausages, goose, or duck) and white beans. 

What do French People Eat Every Day? – Final Thoughts

On weekends, French people prefer to go out and eat. They see eating out as a special treat, and most of them tend to reserve this pleasure for the weekend when they have the most time to savor the experience. And whether it is Friday or Saturday nights establishments are often well patronized. Meanwhile, it is not rare to see restaurants close on Sunday nights because many people prefer to stay home, eat, and prepare for the following week.

Keep in mind that there is no specific daily French diet as there are many foods that heavily feature in French households and restaurants. Wine and coffee are closely related to the food culture too. As a visitor to France, you might want to go beyond appreciating the fine food and the simple, fresh ingredients. Do this by learning how to cook some of the staples, either for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. You can hardly go wrong with French cuisines.