Rick Steves' Dining Rule That Might Change How You Eat In France - Tasting Table

"One example is not ordering French onion soup if you're traveling in France over the summer. Although French onion soup is a classic dish, and one of the many French dishes you need to try at least once, it's traditionally a winter soup. If you see French onion soup on a menu in France in July, then chances are you're at a tourist trap, since no decent local restaurant would have it on the menu then."

"A better soup to order in France in the summer would be soupe au pistou (also known as Provençal vegetable and bean soup), a seasonal dish made with beans and summer vegetables including green beans, peas, tomatoes, and zucchini. Not only would it taste better since it uses fresh, seasonal ingredients at the peak of their flavor, but you'll also be getting a more authentic French dining experience."

Eat seasonally to enjoy tastier, more authentic French meals. French onion soup is traditionally a winter dish and seeing it on a July menu likely indicates a tourist-oriented restaurant. Summer-appropriate soups include soupe au pistou, made with beans and summer vegetables such as green beans, peas, tomatoes, and zucchini. Other authentic summer options include salade Niçoise and ratatouille, with the salad originating in Nice. Seasonal dishes use fresh ingredients at peak flavor and often reflect local specialties. Choosing seasonal, local dishes helps avoid tourist zones and enhances the overall dining experience in France.

Read at Tasting Table