1. Duck l'Orange - let's start you off with something basic and not too scary. This dish is quintessentially French. If you've never tried duck (canard) the waiter will probably describe it to you as a little gamey which just means it has quite a meaty flavour. But never fear because combined with this famous orange sauce it makes a great combination.
2. Pigeon - ok now that we've graduated from duck it's time to try pigeon. This one is a step up again from duck in it's gamey-ness stakes and you may find the meat flavour over-powering but I will say that it's super tender and when cooked right, it's delicious.
3. Fois Gras - this is pretty much glorified pâté; it is made from the liver of a duck or goose and mixed together with a whole lot of fat to create a creamy texture. When served with some fried bread it's quite a tantalising treat but I can only have it in small portions because the flavour is very strong.
4. Bouillabaisse - this hearty fish stew combines several delicious things from the sea and cooks them up in a rich sauce; served with fresh crusty bread from the oven and you've got a delicious meal.
5. Tarte Tatin - nothing scary about this one, combine apples and a tart, flip it upside down and you've got this delicious French dessert. Legend has it that this dish came about after the Tatin sisters, who ran a restaurant in the 1880s, accidentally knocked over their tart in the oven in their rush to serve lunch. Bet they're glad they did.
Photo by Krissie.