Summer Lunches in France

Categories: French Culture, French Food & Wine

This episode features our frequent and very popular guest Elyse Rivin. If you enjoy her episodes, please consider supporting her on Patreon.

In this episode, Annie and Elyse chat about our favorite summer lunches in France. We talk about eating habits locals have in France during the warm months and the foods we all look forward to every summer in France. We also share a few recipes and cooking tips from our southern France kitchens!

Annie & Elyse's Favorite Summer Lunches in France

In France we don't want to turn the oven on. Why? Because most French homes don't have air conditioning! Turning the oven on raises the temperature of an already hot house too much. That's also why many villas in France have a full kitchen outside. Some people just have a barbecue, but you'll also find outdoor kitchens with a "plancha" (large hot plate), a fridge and a sink. And air-fryers are also good for that.

Do French People Have Food Traditions in the Summer?

French people used to eat a lot more regional foods, but as food distribution has become more global, you can find similar summer foods all over France.

Barbecues

French people barbecue sausages a lot. There are electric barbecues you can even use on a balcony.

Merguez from North Africa
Chipolatas from the south of France
Porc chops
Duck heats
Grilled Rocamadour cheese

Summer Salads

Watermelon salad with feta and mint
Caprese salad with garden tomatoes, mozzarela and fresh basil
Salade Niçoise (and maybe some Socca to go with it?)
Salads with boiled eggs and fruit (fresh strawberries or canned peaches or melons)
Melon Charantais with prosciuto ham or with port wine

Summer Soups

Gazpacho
Cucumber soup
Royco soup (instant)
Zucchini soup with either curry or Boursin cheese

Summer Sandwiches

Pain Bagnat
Sandwich aux mergez
Sandwich à la saucisse de Toulouse

Summer Pizzas

Pissaladière
Fig and feta pizza

Summer Fruit

Peaches
Melons Charentais
Flat peaches or nectarines

Summer Dishes

Ratatouille (which you can make in one pot and without much fuss as Annie explains 19 minutes into the episode)
Tian de légumes
Quiches with a lot of onion or zucchini or Swiss chard or leeks
Tomates farçies
Dishes with fresh peas
Mussels and fries
Terrines de poisson or terrines de légume
Fresh sardines on the grill
Taboulé
Apéritif dinatoire is a big thing in France in the summer

Summer Is Rosé Season

For some reason most French people switch to drinking rosé during the summer, especially in the last 10 years. It's completely OK to drink it with ice, but if you don't use ice it must be served very cold. There are good rosés from Corsica, Provence and Pays de Loire.

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Summer Lunches in France, Episode 295