Category: Food

SAVOUR Slowly

Chic, inviting, and perfectly maison 1973

The French Approach to Breakfast: QUALITY Over Quantity

The first thing we must know is this: a French woman’s breakfast is never about excess. It is not a buffet or a multitasking moment where she’s scrolling through her phone with one hand and sipping coffee with the other. It is about pleasure—in small, thoughtful bites.

A French breakfast is typically light but deeply satisfying. It centres around a perfect balance of texture, flavour, and elegance. No heavy omelette, stacks of pancakes, or protein shakes. Instead, it’s about simplicity:

• A fresh croissant or tartine (a slice of good bread, toasted and slathered with butter or jam)
• A beautifully brewed café au lait or espresso
• A bowl of yogurt with honey and nuts
• A few seasonal berries or a perfectly sliced seasonal fruit

It’s enough. It’s satisfying. It is just right—and that is the secret.

“On my trips to Paris, I loved mornings best, sitting at a small table with coffee and a pain au chocolat. The routine was simple—no rush, no distractions. Unlike at home, I didn’t worry about whether I should have butter or earn the pastry, is it enough protein? do I have time? The list goes on! I just enjoyed it and felt part of Parisian culture. I realised that breakfast is more than a meal to the French—it’s a moment to pause, practice self-care, and set the day’s tone. Even on busy days, I now like mornings to bring a relaxed pace. I aim for this now at this stage in my life. It’s important.”

creator of maison 1973, Nic Tierney

The RITUAL: Creating Your Own FRENCH Breakfast at Home

Now, let’s bring this morning magic into your home. You don’t need a Parisian apartment with wrought-iron balconies. All you need is intention. Here’s how we do it:

1. Start with the Right Mindset

Before anything else, commit to slowing down. French women do not rush through breakfast. Even if it’s just ten minutes, let it be ten beautiful minutes.

Tip: Set the scene. Open a window. Let in the morning light. Play some music, softly. This is not just about eating; it’s about being present.

2. Choose the Perfect Bread

If you have access to a local boulangerie (bakery), you already know—the bread is everything. But even if you don’t, you can recreate the experience. Look for:

• A fresh baguette (crisp on the outside, airy inside)
• A flaky croissant
• A slice of pain de campagne or sourdough, toasted to golden perfection

3. Butter, Jam & The Little Details That Matter

French women understand that it’s not just the food, but how it’s prepared. This is why they choose good butter—real, creamy, slightly salted. They spread it generously, and it is always at room temperature. And the jam? Apricot, raspberry, or fig. Nothing overly sweet, just enough to enhance the bread.

Tip: Try a jam from a small-batch local brand (we love Beerenberg), something with pure fruit flavours. And never rush—this moment of spreading the butter and jam is part of the ritual.

4. The Café au Lait (Or Your Coffee of Choice)

This is perhaps the most sacred part. Coffee is never an afterthought. It is brewed strong but smooth, never burnt, never rushed. A true café au lait is made with equal parts strong coffee and warm, frothy milk, served in a or wide-rimmed cup, sipped slowly.

Alternatively, the French love an espresso. Short and strong. Perfect to dip your pastry into.

Tip: Invest in a good French press or espresso machine for home. We adore using our Chemex.

5. A Small Addition

French breakfasts often include something fresh—a small bowl of yogurt with honey, a handful of nuts, or a few slices of fruit. Think seasonal and simple. No elaborate fruit salads, just a perfectly ripe peach or a few raspberries on the side.

Tip: If yogurt is your choice, go for full-fat, natural varieties, and drizzle with some of your local area honey. Keep it pure. We also opt for a coconut yoghurt (dairy free).

The trick here is to keep things balanced and when in doubt – leave it out.

Bringing a Touch of PARIS to Your Everyday Life

Even though we may not be in France, nothing stops us from bringing a bit of this elegance into our morning. The practicalities of our lives and our routines often dictate how we begin our day. We know life is busy, we have to get to work, we have family to take care of in the mornings and we often have to commute – so it doesn’t need to be everyday, but just try to start with one.

Try this tomorrow:

1. Wake up a little earlier. No rushing. Just quiet time for you.
2. Make your breakfast beautiful—a proper plate, a lovely coffee cup, a moment to enjoy it.
3. Be present. No emails. No social media. Just taste, sip, and breathe.

By doing this, you’re not just having breakfast—you’re creating a life filled with small, intentional luxuries.

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The Maison 1973 Takeaway:

We spend so much time chasing big moments, waiting for grand things to happen. But the truth? A beautiful life is made in the small, everyday rituals.

So tomorrow morning, wherever you are—whether it’s Paris or not—take a breath. Make your coffee with care. Butter your toast slowly. And know that in this simple act, you are embracing something truly French: the art of living well.

À votre santé, my friend. Here’s to mornings done beautifully.