The French have a rich culinary culture, and their meal schedule reflects this. Meals are often seen as a time to relax and enjoy food, rather than just a necessity. The French typically have four meals a day: breakfast, lunch, an afternoon snack, and dinner. Each meal has its own unique characteristics and traditions.

French Meal Schedule

Breakfast (Le Petit-déjeuner) [7:00-9:00 AM]

Typically consists of a hot beverage (coffee, tea, or hot chocolate), some kind of bread (croissant, day-old baguette) often with butter and jam, and possibly fruit, juice, or yogurt. It’s not considered the most important meal of the day in France.

Lunch (Le Déjeuner) [12:00-2:00 PM]

It’s common for French people to take one to two-hour lunch breaks. A typical French lunch can consist of a three-course meal: an appetizer, a main dish, and cheese or dessert. This is usually the heaviest meal of the day in French culture.

Afternoon Snack (Le Goûter) [4:00 PM]

French children will have a small snack after school before dinner called a goûter. This afternoon snack can consist of yogurt, a tartine, a biscuit or cake, or even a croissant. For adults, this evolves into “l’apéritif” which takes place after work, sometime before dinner.

Dinner (Le Dîner) [7:30-9:00 PM]

Dinner in France is usually a lighter meal than lunch, enjoyed between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM. It typically consists of a starter (Entrée), such as soup or salad, and a main course, which may be simpler than the lunch main course. It’s traditional for the family to eat together in the evening – it’s not unusual to spend up to 2 hours at the table for this meal.

French Sample Menus

Breakfast [7:00-9:00 AM]

  • Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate
  • Baguette with butter and jam (“tartines”)
  • Croissant or pain au chocolat (especially on weekends)
  • Yogurt or fruit

Lunch [12:00-2:00 PM]

  • Starter: Soup, pâté, or mixed salad
  • Main: Meat or fish with vegetables and carbohydrates (potatoes, pasta)
  • Cheese course with bread
  • Dessert: Fruit, yogurt, or a sweet like chocolate mousse

Afternoon Snack (Goûter) [4:00 PM]

  • For children: Small cookies, bread with butter or chocolate, fruit
  • For adults (apéritif): Small savory bites with perhaps wine or a light cocktail

Dinner [7:30-9:00 PM]

  • Starter: Light soup or salad
  • Main: Lighter than lunch - perhaps an omelet, fish, or lighter meat dish with vegetables
  • Cheese course with bread
  • Dessert: Fresh fruit, light dessert, or occasionally something more substantial

Note

An important cultural note is that the French consider mealtime as an integral part of family life. TV programs are scheduled to begin after dinner at 6:45 PM as it’s considered bad etiquette to watch TV while eating.