France is renowned for having one of the most refined cuisines in the world, praised for the intensity and balance of its flavours and the innovative way each dish is presented with flair. Discover the meals and morsels that you must try during your French ski trip, from regional specialities to country classics.
Indulge in rich Savoie staples
Located in the southeast, Savoie borders Italy and shares some of its culinary heritage with the country. If you enjoy ski holidays in the Savoie region of France at luxury resorts such as Chamonix, indulge in the rich regional staples served in the restaurants to make your stay extra special.
Melted cheese features heavily in these dishes, so you won’t have any worries about restoring your energy after a day navigating the challenging slopes around Mont Blanc. Try a Savoyard fondue which combines local cheeses like Beaufort with white wine and garlic to create a thick dip for crusty French bread, and the Swiss dish raclette which is made up of cheese and boiled potatoes.
Warm up with Alpine soups
The French Alps has some of the best ski resorts in Europe including Les Trois Vallées and Val d’Isère, and at each, you’ll find that soups and stews popular in the local villages dominate the menus. These dishes might be simple in terms of ingredients and preparation, but they’re unbelievably flavourful and the perfect way to warm up in your snowy surroundings.
Favourites include French onion soup, adorned with a hearty cheesy dumpling, and garbure, a thick stew with ham and vegetables.
Eat luxury meats in the Pyrenees
Heading to the Pyrenees for your French ski trip? Make the most of the luxury meats on the menu, including Bigorre black ham which is one of the must-try specialities of the Pyrenees and rarely available elsewhere.
Cassoulet is common which typically includes confit duck and pork cooked with white beans in a flavourful sauce. You can also get duck legs unadorned, served with simple sides, or try goose any way including foie gras and as a pâté spread on fresh white bread. Pork pâté known as rillette is also popular here.
Sample regional cheeses
Wherever you are in France, there are mouthwatering regional cheeses to sample. Ranging from mild to mature, you’ll find plenty of options to suit your tastebuds.
If you prefer a lighter flavour, stick to creamy brie or nutty Reblochon which is served with its rind. Not afraid of pungency? Get stuck into the famous blue cheese such as Roquefort, Bleu d’Auvergne and Fourme d’Ambert.
Snack on flaky pastries
What better way to recharge in the après-ski area of your chosen resort than with a steaming cup of hot chocolate and a flaky French pastry? Cocoa is thick and sweet in France, perfect for doing the classic English snacking action – dunking.
Pastries are varied, and you’ll fall in love with the flavour of more than one during your trip! Keep it simple with croissants, layers of butter folded into traditional puff pastry, or fill up on cream-filled favourites like chocolate éclairs and profiteroles.
