In the city of Paris, food can sometimes come across as more of a form of art rather than a source of sustenance. The birth of French Cuisine is said to have been in the 16th century, after Catherine de Medici married King Henri II of France. Upon her arrival in France, it is said that she was absolutely horrified by the food that was served to her, so much so that she had her own chefs brought from Italy to instruct the French chefs on the proper way to cook. Catherine de Medici\'s chefs must have been very accomplished teachers, as French cuisine is now renowned world wide.

The different provinces of France each have their own unique style of food. In the northwest, apples and dairy products like butter and cream are commonly used. Food from the southwest can be very rich, with items such as foie gras, gizzards, porcini mushrooms, and duck fat. In the southeast, there are strong influences from Italian, Spanish, and Catalan cuisine, which uses ingredients such as tomatoes, olive oil, and herbs. There are German influences in the east, with beer, sausage, and sauerkraut being popular. And the use of pork, potatoes, and endives in the north indicates a Flemish influence. All of these regions are represented in the restaurants of Paris, so rather than touring the country to sample food, you can do it all within one city.

The type of cuisine that most people around the world think of as being French is the very expensive haute cuisine, which is generally served only in the finest restaurants. This type of cuisine is very strongly influenced by the area of Lyon. It is generally not eaten by residents of Paris on a regular basis.

Paris and France in general are perhaps best known for wine and cheeses. There is an incredibly wide range of both items available for you to sample while in Paris. With so many different options, you are certain to find something that is pleasing to your palate.

Many younger Parisians enjoy eating foreign dishes on a regular basis. In particular, Vietnamese and Chinese restaurants are popular and are easy to find in Paris.