Enjoy the French ritual of L’apéro by bringing a little bit of France into your home and taking time to savor the good things in life by living, eating, and drinking well—bon appétit!

L’apéro consists of before dinner drinks served with finger foods and small bites. This collection of French appetizers is perfect to serve for L’apéro, happy hour, or to give a lunch box or picnic basket that “something extra-special.” Fresh, modern, and versatile French-inspired appetizers and small servings, from basic tapenades and hummus, to savory cakes, quiches, tartlets, mini sandwiches, soups, skewers, and sweet treats are perfect as a prelude to dinner, or even in place of an evening meal. Many recipes include simple formulas to make several versions of a single recipe so that you are only limited by your own taste buds and creativity.

Marie Asselin is a freelance food writer, blogger, translator, stylist, recipe developer, and culinary teacher. Her blog, Food Nouveau, won the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) award for best recipe-based blog in 2017 and 2018. She also won the 2017 IACP award for best food styling in a commercial food photograph. She lives in Quebec City, Canada.