Ficelle picarde or Picardy string is a traditional dish from the French region of Picardy, a simple and easy entrée that can be found on the menus of numerous restaurants across northern France. The dish consists of a savory pancake that is filled with ham, cheese, and mushrooms.

The pancake is often topped with grated cheese, and it is sometimes baked in the oven. Although it is a representative of the Picardy region, it was actually invented in the city of Amiens in the 1950s, when it was served to notable locals attending the Hotoie Exhibition. 

As the name might imply, this French dish consists of a calf’s head, which is boiled for a long time until the meat becomes tender and the skin develops a gelatinous consistency. The tongue and brain are also boiled separately with a combination of spices, and the three types of meat are served together in thick slices on a platter with the vegetables used in cooking, usually potatoes and carrots, and a drizzling of ravigote sauce.

Although the dish has numerous supposed origins, famous French writer Gustave Flaubert traces it back to the British celebrating the decapitation of King Charles I. After the French revolution and yet another well-known decapitation, the French followed suit. 

Andouillette is a French specialty sausage made with pork meat and intestines, onions, wine, pepper, and other seasonings. The sausage contains parts of pig's colon, which is the reason why it is considered to be an acquired taste, as it has an intense, unusual smell which is described by some people as reminiscent of urine.

The sausage can be served hot or cold, and it can be barbecued, boiled, or pan-fried. It is traditionally accompanied by vegetables in red wine sauce or roasted potatoes with a fresh salad on the side.

Endives au jambon is a traditional dish that's especially popular in the region of Seine-Maritime. The dish is usually made with a combination of endives, lemon juice, milk, flour, butter, ham slices, nutmeg, Neufchâtel cheese, salt, and black pepper.

The endives are cut in half lengthwise and boiled in a mixture of salted water and lemon juice. Béchamel sauce is made in a saucepan, with the addition of Neufchâtel cheese. The endives are refreshed in cold water, drained, wrapped in ham slices, and placed into a buttered baking dish. 

Anchoïade is a traditional dip originating from Provence. It consists of anchovies which have been packed in oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, and olive oil. The anchovies and garlic are ground into a paste, and it's then combined with vinegar and olive oil, which should be whisked in bit by bit until the desired consistency has been reached.

Anchoïade is often slathered on grilled bread as a spread, used as a dip with crudités, or as a dressing for salads. However, it's most commonly used with crudités, so make sure you have an assortment of vegetables prepared for dipping, such as celery stalks, thinly sliced black radishes, or florets of broccoli romanesco.

Boudin noir is a traditional French blood sausage, celebrated for its rich, velvety texture and deep, savory flavor. Made primarily from pork blood, fat, and finely ground meat, this delicacy has been a staple of French charcuterie for centuries, with historical roots tracing back to medieval Europe.

Unlike coarser blood sausages, boudin noir has a smooth, almost creamy consistency, achieved by blending the ingredients with onions, bread or rice, milk, and a variety of warming spices such as black pepper, nutmeg, and cloves. Each region of France offers its own interpretation of boudin noir, with variations incorporating apples, chestnuts, cream, or even Armagnac to balance the iron-rich, earthy notes of the blood with a touch of sweetness. 

Tripes à la mode de Caen or Caen-style tripe is a popular French stew that has been familiar since the Middle Ages. It combines tripe, a mix of French herbs, spices, cow's feet, apple brandy, cider, and vegetables to produce a flavorful and hearty meal.

The ingredients are layered in a traditional clay pot known as tripière–the lid is placed on top of the pot and sealed with a paste made from flour and water. The dish is simmered for hours until all of the flavors combine and the stew is transformed into a delicious and comforting meal. 

In the south of France, garlic is not only thought of as a culinary herb, but also as a vegetable, so it is no surprise that garlic soup is so deeply rooted in the traditional cuisine of regions like Occitanie and Provence. Its origins can be traced to the Middle Ages when soupe à l'ail was dished out only for special occasions and found on the table of noble families, since black pepper—one of the essential ingredients—was among the most expensive spices at the time.

French garlic soup is typically served with poached eggs and slices of baguette bread browned in olive oil.