French Tea Salons - Salon de thé

Visiting a French tea salon or salon de thé, is a wonderful experience and one that I recommend if you enjoy drinking tea, coffee or hot chocolate, and have the opportunity whilst you travel. Tea time in France is known as le Goûter, and is typically an afternoon snack time taken between 4pm and 6pm. 

At tea time or le Goûter in France you can typically expect to indulge in pastries rather than savoury food such as finger sandwiches as in a typical British teatime.  Pain au chocolat, tarts, cannelés, madeleines or macarons are popular at French tea time. 

The more formal tea time, such as in French tea salons or salon de Thé, may be a little more British inspired with cakes, cookies or desserts along with the full service of tea.

While tea is enjoyed, coffee (espresso or French press) and hot chocolate are just as common. The French tend to prefer tisanes and lightly scented teas (such as Jasmine or Earl Grey) rather than the strong, milk-heavy black teas typical in Britain.