For many, being home for the holidays can only mean one thing: it’s time to eat!
A hearty meal (or five) has always been synonymous with this time of the year, and for good reason; one that goes much deeper than that bowl of eggnog.
Food brings people together. And when enjoyed in the company of loved ones, every bite bursts with even more joy and satisfaction. As the table fills with plates and laughter, your favorite entrée becomes a highlight, the sweetness of the dessert, a memory, and a glass of wine a toast to togetherness.
This is what France by Travelive’s Country Leader Orianne Suisse is eager to share with a beloved holiday menu that celebrates the season and offers a delicious glimpse into her family’s home region of Burgundy. Because home is where the heart is, and good food is the way to it.
“The following menu is very special to me. It’s a souvenir from the holidays spent with my grandparents, filled with memories of love, laughter, and family traditions. And I’m beyond happy to share it with you.
My family’s traditional Burgundy holiday menu is a feast that’s both authentic and full of heart. And I hope that it inspires you and your clients to experience the magic of French holidays, just as it has inspired me throughout my childhood.” France by Travelive’s Country Leader Orianne Suisse
My Family’s Burgundy Holiday Menu
Gougères with Smoked Salmon & Foie Gras
Paired with Crémant de Bourgogne
We always begin with gougères, Burgundy’s iconic savory cheese puffs. Warm, golden, and impossible to resist, they’re the kind of bite that brings everyone together in the kitchen before the table is even set. Filled with smoked salmon and foie gras, they feel festive without being fussy. A glass of Crémant de Bourgogne in hand, and this is when the holidays truly begin.
Fresh Oysters
Paired with Chablis
Next come fresh oysters, served simply and enjoyed slowly. It’s a quiet moment at the table, one where everyone simply savors the crisp flavors. Together with a chilled Chablis, it’s a classic French pairing that feels both festive, refined, and timeless.
Bouchée à la Reine with Sweetbreads (Ris de Veau) & Mesclun Salad
Paired with Meursault
This is the dish that feels most like home. The bouchée à la reine, filled with tender sweetbreads in a creamy sauce, is rich and comforting, the kind of recipe that has been perfected over generations. Served with a light mesclun salad and a glass of Meursault, it’s the centerpiece of the holiday table and is always the most anticipated.
Apple & Lemon Sorbet (Trou Bourguignon)
Served as a modern take on the “trou bourguignon,” a refreshing apple and lemon sorbet is always welcome at a holiday table. Light and palate-cleansing, it gives everyone a moment to breathe, to laugh, and make room for what’s still to come.
Cheese Platter & Clementines
No Burgundy table would be complete without cheese. A generous platter showcases regional favorites, enjoyed slowly and accompanied by fresh clementines, whose brightness cuts through the richness and sparks some festive chatter.
Some of Orianne’s favorites include: The Chaource, the Epoisse (a milder choice), and the Soumatrain.
Classic Bûche de Noël
Paired with Crémant Rosé
The celebration ends with a classic bûche de Noël, beautifully crafted and rich with chocolate and cream. Served with Crémant Rosé, it is both nostalgic and joyful, the kind of dessert that signals the end of the meal but never the night, as conversations linger long after the last bite.
A Taste of Burgundy
In Burgundy, the holidays are not about extravagance, but about time spent together, recipes passed down, and meals that are good for the soul. This is a region where food is inseparable from family, landscape, and memory, and where every dish tells a story of place and belonging.
For travelers, experiencing Burgundy through its gastronomy is an invitation to get to know France the way Orianne’s family does; regardless of the season. Because at France by Travelive, we believe there is no better way to discover a destination than by sharing in the flavors that its people hold closest to their hearts.
