French cuisine is famous for its rich flavors, its daring ingredients, and highly acclaimed cooking techniques that often set an example on the international food scene. Keep reading to find out what delicacies you should sample at least once during any trip to France.

Taste The Sea: Oursins

Seafood lovers rejoice! French cuisine has a number of delicacies that come from the sea. Before you leave France, you have to try oursins, or sea urchins at least once. You won’t often see this on menus in the United States or the United Kingdom but they are readily found on French menus. Some travelers might lose their appetites at the thought of eating sea urchins, but the ocean-dwellers are said to taste similar to oysters. They have an authentic sea-like taste that anybody who loves seafood will appreciate. Their texture is a little creamy, but the taste is fresh and perfect for fish-lovers. The French have a reputation for serving quite a few delicacies that foreign travelers have trouble stomaching, including frog’s legs, raw beef, pig’s trotters, and engorged duck’s liver. There’s really nothing that’s off-limits in this adventurous cuisine. RELATED: 10 Fantastic Things Everyone Loves About France

For Cheese-Lovers: Croque-Monsieur

French cuisine definitely involves some bold dishes, but there are also those delicacies that are delectably simple. Unless you’re lactose-intolerant, croque-monsieur has to be on your must-eat list while traveling France. You can find it in most brasseries and cafes throughout Paris. Put simply, croque-monsieur is the best grilled cheese you'll ever have. The sandwich is filled with delicious ham and cheese and then a dollop of béchamel sauce is added to make the dish extra creamy. It might not be great for the stomach, but it is great for the tastebuds! The alternative to croque-monsieur is croque-madame. This extra fancy version of the sandwich is the same except it includes the addition of a fried egg on top. It’s like French toast meets grilled cheese and there’s honestly nothing better when you’re looking for a snack to eat on the go in Paris. RELATED: 10 Food Items To Try In Thailand

Don’t Be Scared Of Snails: Escargot De Bourgogne

Many tourists make their minds up about eating escargot (or snails) before they even arrive in France. But if you truly want to experience authentic French cuisine that hasn’t been adapted for the preferences of tourists, then you should try Escargot de Bourgogne at least once. After all, you never know until you give it a chance! You might end up finding your new favorite food. For anybody who has qualms about the snails being dirty, know that the snails are thoroughly washed before they are boiled. They are also fed a diet of cleansing herbs to make sure they are ready for eating. It actually takes three days to prepare escargot for serving, so it’s really not the same as finding a snail in your garden and eating it. The dish is commonly prepared with lots of butter, garlic, and parsley to give it a rich, smooth flavor. It is said that the country’s most superior snails come from the Burgundy region, so you definitely won’t want to pass up the opportunity to sample escargot while visiting Dijon. RELATED: 10 Foods That You'll Fall In Love With In Russia

A Classic Dish: Coq-Au-Vin

Sometimes, the classics are best. Although French cuisine offers a lot in the way of meats, this chicken dish is one of the country’s most popular. Coq-au-vin, which literally translates to “rooster in wine” is iconic among French chefs and actually has a fascinating history. It is said to date back to the days of Julius Caesar, although the first record of the recipe being use is traced back to the early 20thcentury.

This is a simple and hearty dish that is a must in the winter. It features rooster or chicken marinated with red wine, garlic, bacon, and mushrooms. While some dishes are quick to eat and can even be purchased from street vendors, this is the kind of delicacy that you’ll want to enjoy seated in a nice restaurant.

Indulge Your Sweet Tooth: Paris-Brest

French cuisine has no shortage of sweets. From macarons to crepes to crème brulee, anybody with a sweet tooth will be in their element on a trip to France. One divine dessert that you have to try in Paris is the Paris-Brest which was curiously named after a bicycle race. Commonly found in Parisian patisseries, the dessert features choux pastry that is garnished with praline buttercream. Caramelized almonds are also sprinkled on top for an added crunch. The pastry is shaped like a wheel, making the dish look as good as it tastes. You’ll now be able to find this dessert all over France, although it was designed in the first place in 1910 to commemorate the bicycle race that took competitors from Paris to Brittany and back. It’s almost blasphemy to leave France without trying it! NEXT: 10 Egyptian Delicacies You'll Fall In Love With