Parisian Ham Sandwich
"The jambon-beurre is France's most popular sandwich: a baguette sliced lengthwise, spread with salted butter, filled with high-quality Paris ham (jambon de Paris—lightly cooked, tender, pink ham). That's it. No lettuce, no cheese, no condiments. The quality comes from three perfect ingredients. Over 1 billion are sold annually in France. It's the true Parisian lunch, eaten on park benches, at desks, on the go."
Logistics
Affordable
Vibe
Simple, perfect
Duration
10 minutes
Best For
Lunch
The Backstory
The jambon-beurre became popular in the 1950s-1960s as fast workers' lunch. Paris ham dates to the 1700s. The sandwich represents French culinary philosophy: perfect ingredients need nothing extra. It's now a symbol of French simplicity—UNESCO declared it 'intangible cultural heritage' candidate. Every bakery and café sells them for €3.50-5.
Local Secret
"Buy from bakeries (boulangeries), not supermarkets—the bread and ham quality matters. The butter should be salted (beurre salé) and generous. The ham should be hand-sliced, not processed deli meat. Eat within 2 hours of purchase—the bread goes stale and butter soaks in. Don't ask for mayo, mustard, or vegetables—you'll get judged. This is anti-American simplicity at its finest."