The French consider cooking an art. One of the Worlds great cuisines, chefs have created many delicious widely renowned dishes.
A typical French main meal has several courses. It starts with an appetizer, such as escargots, onion or potato soup. A special meal might add a light fish course before the main course and a cheese course before dessert. Desserts such as delicate choux-pastry or crepes filled with whipped cream or cooked fruit are worth the wait.
Hearty French specialities such as bouillabaisse and cassoulet, accompanied by crusty French bread, make a full meal and need few extras. Bouillabaisse is a chunky chowder with six or more kinds of fish and shellfish. Cassoulet is a casserole of beans, sausage, poultry, and pork.
France is still the wine capital of the world. Wines from France are famous because of French growing conditions and winemaking methods. The country's chief winemaking regions include Bordeaux, in southwestern France; Burgundy, in east-central France; and Champagne, east of Paris.
In the Bordeaux region, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes go into making dry red wines. White Bordeaux wines come from Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Pinot Noir grapes form the basis of the red wines of Burgundy. White Burgundy wines come from Chardonnay grapes. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes also form the basis of champagne, a sparkling wine of the Champagne region.
