French strawberries, known as fraises, are famous for their intense flavour and fragrance. The most popular variety is the Gariguette - long, slightly acidic and one of the first to appear in spring.
In this guide, discover the main French strawberry varieties, when they're in season, how to choose the best ones - plus easy French strawberry recipes. The bonus? There's even a popular French fraises expression!
French Strawberry Varieties
French strawberries include many varieties, each with its own flavour and texture. Unlike many supermarket strawberries, they are usually picked ripe, which gives them a more intense taste and aroma.
The most popular varieties in France include:
- Gariguettes - long, thin, bright red and slightly acidic berries are one of the earliest in the season
- Clery - round, deep red and very aromatic, often one of the first widely available
- Ciflorette - paler, sweeter and more delicate
- Charlotte - sweet, juicy and well-balanced (longest harvest April-November)
- Mara des bois - small, highly aromatic, these wild strawberries taste like violet bonbons.
Thanks to Monsieur Frézier (see history below), les fraises have grown to about 130 varieties today in France. According to the French Ministry of Agriculture, at least 50,000 tons are harvested each year in France - from Aquitaine to Brittany.
Why are Strawberries in France so Good?
French strawberries are grown in smaller quantities and harvested at peak ripeness. Varieties like Gariguette and Cléry are naturally more fragrant, with a balance of sweetness and slight acidity that gives them a stronger flavour than larger, less ripe berries often found elsewhere.
Some of the most famous strawberries come from Plougastel in Brittany, a region long known for its exceptional fruit. So well regarded, it even celebrates them each year at its traditional strawberry festival.
When are They in Season in France?
Strawberry season in France runs mainly from April to July, with early varieties like Gariguette appearing first and Charlottes until November.
Some varieties such as mara des bois continue later into summer. Wild strawberries (fraises des bois) are smaller and are especially prized for their intense flavour.
How to Choose the Best Ones
Strawberries are usually sweeter if darker - but some varieties can fool us. Some deep red strawberries can actually be more acidic than lighter ones.
To choose the best and freshest: pick the shiniest red berries with an intact green pedoncule, calyx or stalk.
How to Store Them (Do They Go in the Fridge?)
Strawberries are best eaten the day you buy them. If possible, keep them at room temperature for the best flavour.
If needed, store them in the fridge in a single layer and bring them back to room temperature before serving. Avoid washing them until just before eating, as excess moisture shortens their shelf life.
- If bruised or beginning to look tired, then cook or bake them in a compote, in a strawberry almond tart, panna cotta with strawberry coulis, or strawberry clafoutis.
How To Clean Them Properly
To best keep their vitamin content, wash them using a damp cloth BEFORE hulling and cutting them. Alternatively, rinse strawberries briefly under cold water but keep the green tops on while washing to prevent water from soaking into the fruit.
So, gently pat dry and hull only after rinsing.
Health Benefits
Strawberries are a natural rich source of vitamin C, antioxidants and low in calories. They also contain fibre and minerals such as potassium and magnesium, making them a fresh and light addition to desserts or snacks.
They are surprisingly also low in sugar and considered a low-glycemic (GI) fruit. This is good news for diabetics, as they help regulate blood sugar.
As with all fruit, if possible, choose organic ('bio' in France), as it's best to avoid those sprayed with pesticides.
Strawberries in France: History & Traditions
Strawberries have long been enjoyed in France, with records dating back to Louis XIV's botanist, La Quintinie, who grew mainly Capron strawberries for the King at the Potager du Roi in Versailles (and their leaves used as a diuretic infusion).
Today, they are celebrated in markets and seasonal festivals across the country, marking the arrival of spring and early summer produce.
It wasn't until the 18th century that botanist and explorer, Amédée-François Frézier (pronounced like the word for strawberry plant in French, 'fray-say-aye') brought over more varieties from Chili and planted them in the famous strawberry area of Plougastel, Brittany (see Tourisme Bretagne's list of local producers for more).
Strawberry Festival in France
There's even a small museum for the fruit, Musée de Fraise in the village of Plougastel-Daoulas. Every second Sunday in June is la Fête des Fraises, a day of festivities with tastings of jams, cakes - and the famous berries from la Finistère, in Brittany! Dances, floats and strawberry costumes are all celebrated in this town.
A Fun French Strawberry Expression
Ramener sa fraise
Familiar French expression
The French expression "ramener sa fraise" literally means "to bring one's strawberry," but is used to describe someone who shows up uninvited or interrupts a conversation.
What Goes Well With Them?
Strawberries pair particularly well with:
- Cream and vanilla: serve them with a crème caramel and in a berry crème brûlée.
- Citrus - from strawberries with orange dessert to lemons and limes: the perfect sweet and acidic combination with a creamy lemon ice cream.
- Rhubarb, mango & apricots - add some rose, orange blossom or elderflower
- Almonds and Pistachio: top them on pistachio ice cream, pistachio tarts or in an almond strawberry cake.
- Fresh herbs - such as mint and basil.
French Strawberry Recipes to Try
French strawberries are delicious simply on their own, but also shine in classic desserts such as mousse, clafoutis, compote and tarts below.
Enjoy fresh berries in this strawberry mousse, either with or without gelatine, French meringue and cream.
Another refreshing no-bake dessert is the French classic, Fraises à la Maltaise - strawberry salad with orange served in orange shells with Cointreau and surrounded by crushed ice.
Strawberry Clafoutis - traditionally made with cherries in France, try making this baked custard with strawberries. This recipe is gluten free and adapts to most summer fruits.
Add strawberries to this rhubarb compote - it's a healthy recipe using very little sugar compared to jam plus versatile in many desserts. Such as this one below!
Rhubarb Crumbles with Strawberries and Rose - my French twist to a British crumble. These are individually served chilled with a rhubarb and strawberry compote, a white chocolate and rose mousse and topped with toasted oat crumble.
Strawberry Almond Tart - This looks like a cake but it's an upside down almond cream tart filled with strawberries. Decorate with even more berries.
Berry Gratin - A light crème brûlée for the summer, except doesn't require a water bath in the oven. Instead it's bathed in a vanilla custard and just toasted under the grill. Just make it with strawberries or add other berries.
Delicious in this macaron berry sherry trifle for two. Topped with berries, it's a patriotic red white and blue dessert, perfect for Bastille Day.
Last but not least, add a little surprise with some tart berries or wild strawberries to a simple green salad.
