I’ve spent years documenting French school lunches because they offer such an interesting window into French food culture, childhood, and everyday life.
Far beyond simply feeding children at midday, the French school lunch system reflects a broader philosophy around food: structure, balance, exposure to variety, and the normalization of eating real meals from a young age.
For a complete overview of the French school lunch system, see → French School Lunches: How They Work Today.
One of the things that stands out immediately in older menus like this one is how familiar the overall structure already feels. Even years later, the rhythm remains remarkably consistent: first course, main course, vegetables, dairy, and dessert.
Below is one week of menus from a French elementary school during the 2022–2023 school year.
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Monday Menu
First course: Grated carrot salad (organic)
Main course: Beef Bourgignon (local meat)
Vegetable: Cauliflower gratin (organic)
Dairy: chocolate yogurt
Monday’s menu reflects the kind of hearty, traditional lunch that still appears regularly in French school cafeterias — real stews, vegetables, dairy, and dessert served as part of a structured meal rather than separate snack foods. It’s part of the French wellbeing culture I write about here.
Working with a French school chef, I created a downloadable guide featuring some of the best-loved recipes served in French school cafeterias → Explore the French School Lunch Recipe Guide
Tuesday Menu
First course: Dried pork sausage served in slices
Main course: Casserole with fish (cod) and mashed potatoes
Dairy: Comte cheese (organic and local)
Dessert: Grapes (organic)
Wednesday Menu
First course: Green salad (organic)
Main course: Tartiflette is a regional dish that includes potatoes, cheese, bacon and onions (local)
Dessert: Fruits (organic)
Thursday Menu
This is the vegetarian meal of the week.
First course: Lentil salad (organic)
Main course: Vegetarian pancakes
Vegetable course: Sweet potato mash
Dairy: Kiri cheese
Dessert: Kiwis (organic)
Even in 2022, vegetarian meals were already becoming normalized within French school lunch planning. Lentils, sweet potatoes, cheese, and fruit create a meal that feels simple but nutritionally balanced.
Friday Menu
First course: cucumber salad (organic)
Main course: Couscous Mergez is made of spicy lamb sausage, vegetables and couscous grains.
Dairy: Goat’s cheese
Dessert: Fruit compote (organic)
Explore French School Lunch Menus
I’ve documented real French school lunch menus from different years and seasons to show how the system evolves over time:
Regular menus
Christmas menus
More From France
If you’re curious about how France nurtures healthier habits — from school lunches to everyday food, movement, and wellbeing — I share practical tips and stories each month. Sign up for the free newsletter below and receive my guide, The French Guide to Everyday Wellbeing, straight to your inbox. Merci!
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