I realize taste is subjective, but when I lived in France I tasted to-die-for French onion soup at someone's home. I had never been a fan of cooked onions, but that soup was so incredibly good--carmelized, melt-in-your-mouth onions, and I believe topped with a piece of french bread with cheese broiled on top--I have never forgotten it.

I would love for my husband, who loves carmelized onions, to taste genuinely delicious, authentic French onion soup. Has anyone found a particularly good bowl at a restaurant in Paris? We will be staying in the Latin Quarter, so it would be nice if there were a restaurant there that serves good FO soup, but we're willing to go somewhere else in Paris for a memorable gastronomic experience.

Our favourite is at Au Pied de Cochon http://www.pieddecochon.com

Here is a picture of it yum!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gir...57636716043473

Agree on Au Pied de Cochon.
On my first trip to Paris 60 years ago (!) I had it at Les Halles, as you were "supposed" to do.
Follow Julia Child's recipe to the letter and you can have it at home also. LOL

Hi Zoobiechick,

I stayed in the Latin Quarter for five nights in 2012 and had French onion soup almost every night at local cafes/brasseries – they were all excellent!

I then removed to the Montpanasse Concorde (large, colorless business hotel) across town to begin a tour of Normandy and Brittany. On a Sunday afternoon, I declined going on an excursion to Montmatre because the weather was so miserable (early June). Before settling in, I had another bowl of French onion soup in the dining room of the hotel. I had not expected much, but this was the best rendition of the classic so far. Who knew?

Bottom line – it is likely that you will find great FOS anywhere in Paris. Enjoy…

Mmmm, my mouth is watering already. Thanks for the leads.

Would you suggest a reservation at Au Pied Cochon if we were just dropping by for a bowl of soup for lunch?

If you know when you will be in the area then yes, it gets very busy at meal times.

We always stop at Au Pied Cochon for lunch for its delicious onion soup. At lunch time we have never needed a reservation. It's a pretty big restaurant and has some outside seating which I love.

Au Pied is also open 24 hours so you could stop by at 2am for a bowl of soup if you're out late. No reservation needed!

After spending two months last year looking, in part for Paris' best onion soup, I would agree that the best I found was at Au Pied Cochon. Contrary to what was mentioned earlier, there are many lesser quality soups around.
Au Pied is a bit touristy and gets frequented by larger groups, but, nevertheless, it is quite good.
I never had a problem either sitting inside or at an outside table (albeit, I was there from mid March through mid May)
I would like to hear about a small, quiet place tucked away in an outer arrondissement that tops the list...it would me another reason to go back!

Agree about the great French onion soup at Au Pied de Cochon - really, really good. Have also had a very good version at La Mère Catherine on Place du Tertre in Montmartre.

Another vote for Au Pied de Cochon. Another bonus, the place is lovely.

Yet another Au Pied de Cochon fan. But ziggypop, you do realize that French onion soup is amazingly easy to make, and make well, right? If your husband likes it in Paris, there's no reason the two of you can't make it whenever you want at home.

Sorry, I meant zoobiechick! SO many screen names, so little time...

St. Cirq is so correct--the only "secret" is cooking the onions forever!!