It's no surprise that France's love for food and wine features prominently in French cinema. From romantic comedies like 'Chocolat' to historical dramas like 'Delicious', French movies about food are [Click "Lire la suite" to read more]
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It's no surprise that France's love for food and wine features prominently in French cinema. From romantic comedies like 'Chocolat' to historical dramas like 'Delicious', French movies about food are as diverse as they are captivating. Here are 10 of the best French movies about French cuisine and art de vivre that are sure to tantalize your taste buds and satisfy your French cinema cravings. Oui chef!
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Starring Louis de Funès, Bernard Blier, and Maria-Rosa Rodriguez, Le grand restaurant tells the story of a Parisian culinary heaven that's considered one of the best restaurants in the city. The restaurant's chef, Monsieur Septime (Louis de Funès), deals with the eccentricities of his high-profile customers, including politicians, diplomats, and mafia bosses. As he navigates a series of hilarious and unexpected situations, Chef Septime must find a way to keep the restaurant running smoothly and preserve its reputation as one of Paris' finest dining destinations.
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Based on the true story of Danièle Mazet-Delpeuch, who served as the private chef to French President François Mitterrand, Les Saveurs du Palais follows Hortense Laborie (Catherine Frot), an accomplished chef who is recruited to serve as the president's personal cook. Though she brings her creativity and passion to the job, Hortense struggles to navigate the political and personal rivalries that threaten to take down the presidential kitchen. With sumptuous visuals, mouth-watering dishes, and captivating performances, Les Saveurs du Palais is a must-watch for food lovers.
Starring Louis de Funès and Coluche, L'aile ou la Cuisse is a satirical comedy that pokes fun at the world of haute cuisine and fast food chains. Louis de Funès plays Charles Duchemin, a celebrated gastronome and publisher of the prestigious Michelin Guide. His grandson Gérard (Coluche), on the other hand, is the heir to a fast-food empire and has little interest in the finer points of cuisine. As the two clash over their differing views on food, the movie offers a humorous take on the French obsession with gastronomy.
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Starring Juliette Binoche, Johnny Depp, and Judi Dench, Chocolat is a heartwarming romantic drama set in the picturesque French village of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes. When Vianne Rocher (Binoche) and her daughter arrive in town and open a chocolate shop, they upset the conservative locals. But as the townspeople begin to sample Vianne's confections, their attitudes change, and a new sense of community develops around the shop. With stunning visuals and a moving storyline, Chocolat is a feast for the senses.
King Georges is a fascinating documentary that offers an intimate look at the life of Georges Perrier, the celebrated French chef who owned the award-winning restaurant Le Bec-Fin in Philadelphia. The film follows Perrier in the final year of his restaurant's operation as he struggles to maintain control amid challenges posed by industry changes and personal health issues. With a wealth of footage and interviews, King Georges is an illuminating portrait of a master chef grappling with change and legacy. A must-see if you like cooking shows like Masterchef and Chef's Table.
Starring Isabelle Carré and Benoît Poelvoorde, Romantics Anonymous is a charming romantic comedy set in a French chocolate factory. Carre plays Angélique, a gifted chocolatier who suffers from crippling anxiety, while Poelvoorde plays Jean-René, the factory owner who's equally shy. As the two begin to bond over their shared love for chocolate, they must both learn to overcome their fears and take a chance on love. With a whimsical script and delightful performances, Romantics Anonymous is a sweet treat for moviegoers.
Delicious is a not your usual period drama. Set right before the French Revolution in 1789, it tells the story of chef Pierre Manceron (Grégory Gadebois), who after being dismissed from his prestigious position as the private chef of the Duke of Chamfort (Benjamin Lavernhe), and slowly loses the taste for cooking. But when he meets a mysterious woman, Louise (Isabelle Carré), together they decide to create the very first restaurant in France. Is the movie Delicious a true story? No, but it's none the less an exquisite movie for its period details and sumptuous cuisine shot - a real feast for the senses. Think of it as the other side of the story of Marie-Antoinette, her Ladurée Macarons and the French aristocracy. And if you're not watching it for the food or the duke and duchess, watch if for Gregory Gadebois, an up and coming French actor you're going to hear about.
What would French cuisine be without French wine! Back to Burgundy follows the lives of three siblings who reunite at their family vineyard in Burgundy after their father falls ill. Starring Pio Marmaï, Ana Girardot, and François Civil, the film explores family relationships, the challenges of winemaking, and the beauty of the Burgundy region. With lush cinematography and moving performances, Back to Burgundy will transport you to the heart of wine country.
Set in Nazi-occupied Paris during World War II, La Traversée de Paris is a black and white comedy-drama that follows two men carrying a pig through the deserted city. Starring Jean Gabin, Bourvil, Louis de Funès and Jeannette Batti, the film offers a humorous take on the ways in which food scarcity and rationing affected French life during the war.
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Starring Eddy Mitchell, Irène Jacob and Michel Muller, Cuisine Américaine is a comedy about a former US navyman who wants to become a chef. As he can't afford cooking school, he travels to the countryside of France and finds a job in Dijon as an apprentice at a prestigious gastronomic restaurant and inn owned by a bad tempered chef. With a mix of French and American cultures, Cuisine Américaine offers a fun and light-hearted look at the world of high-end dining.