France Dietary Concerns

While France is renowned for its food, this culinary empire is rather exclusive when it comes to those with special dietary requirements. Vegetarians will find few options when dining out, and vegans will find even fewer, while kosher diners will struggle outside large cities. Supermarkets are a savior, and the resources listed here can help lead you to restaurants that will be more accommodating to dietary restrictions.

The travel section of The Vegetarian Resource Group’s website, at www.vrg.org/travel, has a comprehensive list of organizations and websites that are geared toward helping vegetarians and vegans traveling abroad. They also publish Vegetarian France, which can be purchased at www.vegetarian-guides.co.uk. For more information, visit your local bookstore or health-food store and consult The Vegetarian Traveler: Where to Stay if You’re Vegetarian, Vegan, Environmentally Sensitive, by Jed and Susan Civic (Larson Publications; US$16). Vegetarians will also find numerous resources on the web; try www.vegelist.online.fr, which lists vegetarian restaurants and chambres d’hôtes in France, www.vegdining.com, www.happycow.net, and www.vegetariansabroad.com, for starters.

Lactose intolerance also does not have to be an obstacle to eating well in France. Though it may seem like everybody in France but you is devouring buttery croissants and crèmes brulées, there are ways for even the lactose intolerant to indulge in local cuisine. In restaurants, ask for items sans lait (milk), fromage (cheese), beurre (butter), or crème (cream).

Travelers who keep kosher should contact synagogues in larger cities for information on kosher restaurants. Your own synagogue or college Hillel should have access to lists of Jewish institutions across the nation. A useful worldwide kosher restaurant database with numerous listings in France is www.shamash.org/kosher. If you are strict in your observance, you may have to prepare your own food on the road. A good resource is the Jewish Travel Guide, edited by Michael Zaidner (Vallentine Mitchell; US$18). Travelers looking for halal restaurants may find www.zabihah.com a useful resource. Most large cities have a significant Muslim population and thus provide numerous halal dining opportunities.