In France do people just ask for toast and get French toast?

Pain perdu is the French term, which is a turn of phrase to explain this delicious use of leftover or day-old bread - literally "lost" bread. read more

One restaurant chain in France serves it as a dessert, claiming it to be "American". This was the only time I've seen it served in France. You can get normal toast, "pain grillé" or "grilled bread" in most restaurants that serve breakfast (especially in big hotels). read more

French bread tends to make terrible toast. "Toasts" is an alternative term for rusks, biscottes, twice-cooked bread sold in packets and horrid dry stuff. Although some French homes do have toasters, toast isn't part of the regular diet. People eat fresh bread, which they pick up from the boulangerie twice a day. read more