The French have a very structured meal schedule, with specific times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Meals are an important part of French culture, and they are often seen as a time for family and friends to gather and enjoy each other’s company.

Adults’ Meal Schedule

Breakfast (Le Petit-déjeuner) [7:30-9:00 AM]

  • Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate
  • Bread or croissant with butter and jam (“tartines”)
  • Perhaps yogurt or fruit

Lunch (Le Déjeuner) [12:30-2:00 PM]

  • Three-course meal:
    • Starter: Salad, soup, or pâté
    • Main: Meat/fish with vegetables and starch
    • Cheese course or dessert
  • Perhaps a glass of wine

L’Apéritif [After work, 6:00-7:30 PM] Optional

  • Small savory bites, olives, nuts
  • Wine, kir, pastis, or champagne
  • Social time before dinner

Dinner (Le Dîner) [8:00-9:00 PM]

  • Lighter than lunch but still structured:
    • Starter: Light soup or salad
    • Main course: Often simpler than lunch
    • Cheese course
    • Light dessert or fruit
  • Wine is common

Sample Adults’ Menu

Breakfast [7:30-9:00 AM]

  • Coffee or tea
  • Baguette with butter and jam
  • Occasionally a croissant (especially weekends)

Lunch [12:30-2:00 PM]

  • Starter: Leek vinaigrette or charcuterie
  • Main: Roast chicken with ratatouille and rice
  • Cheese: Small selection with bread
  • Dessert: Fresh fruit or flan

L’Apéritif [6:00-7:30 PM]

  • Olives, nuts, small toasts with tapenade
  • Glass of wine or kir
  • Perhaps small savory pastries

Dinner [8:00-9:00 PM]

  • Starter: Simple green salad or cold soup in summer
  • Main: Quiche, salmon, or lighter meat dish with vegetables
  • Cheese: One or two varieties with bread
  • Dessert: Fruit salad or small mousse

Cultural Notes for Adults

  • The French consider mealtime as an integral part of family life
  • Meals are eaten at the table, not on the go or in front of screens
  • TV programs are scheduled to begin after dinner at 8:45 PM as it’s considered bad etiquette to watch TV while eating
  • Meal times are for conversation and connection
  • Adults rarely snack between formal mealtimes (and the optional apéritif)
  • Water is the standard beverage with meals, with wine as a common option
  • Lunch was traditionally the main meal of the day, though this is changing in urban areas
  • In business settings, lunch can still last up to two hours
  • Meals are served in courses rather than all at once
  • The cheese course always comes before dessert, never after
  • Dining out typically happens later than in other countries, with restaurants often not opening for dinner until 7:30 PM