The French made their decision in 2026: this regional specialty is the most iconic of our culinary heritage

French gastronomy is frequently cited as a benchmark, even internationally. Culinary expertise, championed by haute cuisine and renowned chefs, contributes to a significant cultural influence. Even within France, a strong sense of attachment to this heritage remains.

At least, that's what a study conducted by Ipsos.Digital with a representative sample of 1,000 people (aged 18 to 75) from the French population seems to show. The study notably reveals that beef bourguignon is perceived by the majority (46%) as the regional recipe that best represents France worldwide.

Cassoulet comes in second place (27%), just ahead of veal stew (23%). Old habits die hard, as snails share fourth place alongside raclette (18%). Yet, raclette likely represents a more regular and significant portion of consumption in many households.

The French and culinary heritage

The survey conducted by Ipsos confirms, however, amidst culinary news often dominated by questionable trends from social media, that French men and women remain attached to regional recipes and proud of their cuisine.

Thus, 97% of those surveyed have a positive opinion of French gastronomy. Approximately 68% of this same sample reported consuming a traditional French dish at least once a week. For 4 out of 10 French people, French cuisine is “an essential pillar of our identity and cultural influence.”

In terms of local roots, the Southwest is cited most often, by far (50%), as "the most gastronomic region in France". Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (including the Lyon region) comes in second with 36% of mentions, ahead of Alsace (33%).

Cooking in the age of social media

Other interesting findings from this study concern perceptions and uses related to social media and online tools. These undeniably influence consumption patterns and daily habits.

Among celebrities, Philippe Etchebest (47%) and Cyril Lignac (46%) are neck and neck for the title of France's favorite chef. The first woman to appear only in 5th position is Anne-Sophie Pic (16%), followed by Hélène Darroze (15%).

While the impact of culinary influencers is undoubtedly greater among certain segments of the population, it appears diluted across a larger sample. Indeed, only 24% of respondents confirmed following this type of account on social media. Michelin-starred and media-savvy chefs remain the most popular, accounting for 73% of these followers.