What follows are his words about what the leg is a vegetarian and vegan in France. Let’s get into that …
Vegetarian and vegan in France: 5 things I have learned
Is it difficult to be vegetable or vegan in France? Well, France is not exactly known for being vegetarian. There is a reason for that. I have my legs working here during the last six years as a vegetarian, more recent as Vegan in France, and say that it is a challenge is a bit and underestimation. Things have improved in recent years, but it is not yet as easy to be a vegetarian in France as in the United Kingdom.
Let’s enter five things to be Vegan and Vegetarian in France have taught me about the country and some tips to help you do it if it is based on plants. If you plan to travel to France and worry what you can eat while you are here, I hope this helps shed light on vegetarianism in France.
1. French cuisine
French cuisine is somewhat beautiful and, although the flesh and fish of stage centers, there are some exquisite vegetable dishes. The garrisons have frequently confirmed all my food, and in a good restaurant, the sides can be delicious.
Ratatouille, green beans, potatoes or broccoli are delicious French vegetarian foods and easy to prepare in the kitchen.
For a meat dining room, these dishes can be overlooked, but not when they are the main event. Learning to convert simple ingredients into a work of art is something that the French have really dominated, and I think you appreciate it more as a vegetarian.
2. Cultural pride
The French are proud of their culture and French cuisine is known worldwide for their quality.
Many French foods and wines receive the protected state of AOC (appeal d’A Origine Contrólée) or AOP (L’Angelation d’A Origine Protégée) that classifies a product that originates in a specific region and also refers to quality, tradition and knowledge.
This includes some poultry and lamb. French dishes such as Beef Bourguignon, Coq Au Vin and Cassaulet can be the best -avoided dishes, but are worldwide famous and basic in French houses. Pride for French culture and cuisine is another reason why the absorption of vegetarianism in France is slow.
3. Tradition
In my early years living in France, I was lucky to live in the traditional town of Muides-Sur-Loire. You will find everything you would expect there, including boulengerie, boucherie and agerie. While personally I never went to the butcher shop, it was a joy to see families on a night walk to collect their food produced locally.
In rural areas, lunch time is still sacred. This is a time to take a break, eat a good meal and socialize. Meat or fish is common for this meal. I believe that the element of tradition is another part of why vegetarianism is slow to take off in France. The link between food, family and tradition is fierce and that generally includes meat, which takes me to …
4. Meat is a way of life
In a French supermarket, you will see many parts of the animal that are sold as flesh that you would see in the United Kingdom, such as Hoovoves and Heart. The restaurants that serve the legs of the frogs, the foie gras, the tongue and the fillet tartar (a dish of meat that is eaten raw) are more common than you would expect.
Recently, the mayor of Lyon tried to remove the meat from school menus. It was with protests and described as an “unacceptable insult” for French farmers and butchers by a French minister.
Hopefully this gives you an idea or how meat is seen in French culture. Obviously, this is changing, but it is part of the reason why it is changing at a slower pace in France compared to other countries.
5. It is normal to speak
An owner of a French restaurant once told me that he found the disconcerting English. When asked: “Is everything fine with your food?” They always say yes, then sometimes they leave negative reviews in Trip Advisor. She did not believe that the French would do that. Given the opportunity to provide honest comments about a meal, they would. This gives you the opportunity to correct any error, which means that your guests leave as happy customers.
Use this for your advantage. Ask for exactly what you want, either amending a dish in the menu to meet your needs or a couple of entrants instead of a main meal. If you are not happy, say it politely, of course. It is possible that the restaurant staff does not understand their reasons for not eating animal products, but they absolutely understand the importance of providing an outstanding service.
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So, being vegetarian or vegan in France is a challenge, but not everything is a bathroom. He has also taught me a lot and helped me grow in other ways.
Here are 5 things that I have learned from being vegetarian in France:
1. Communicate clearly
Duration one of my first appointments with my boyfriend (now husband) I told the waitress that she was a vegetarian. She sacrificed me a dish of salmon pasta. My Frenchman was up to date at the time and because I heard everything he said, I accepted his idea of French vegetarian food.
Fortunately, my husband was paying attention and intervened. I ended up having pasta and timeuille, again, but it is better than a fish dish. I find it easier to ask: “Do you have meatless or fish dishes?” Instead of saying that I am a vegetarian.
That way, you will avoid any confusion. Or of course, this is more relevant in small cities and rural areas. It does not necessarily apply to large cities where you can be lucky to find vegetarian and vegan dishes in the menu.
2. Ask in advance
One of the best ways to avoid a disappointing experience in a French restaurant is to inform them in advance their dietary requirements. It takes a little more planning and organization, but it is the additional effort. I did this at the Auberge Du Bon Terroir in Muides-Sur-Loire.
The chef and owner of a restaurant had created a meatless dish in the before and she faced the challenge for vegans in France. She created two courses using only products from her garden and was as excited as me with the results.
If a French chef can serve a delicious food, they will. It is easier if they have a small warning.
3. Be creative in the kitchen
While French supermarkets are improving in terms of the range of vegetary and vegan products that sell a corridor or a section dedicated to “free” of products as it would in the United Kingdom. In smaller villages, you will find a good range or vegetable or vegan hamburgers, maybe even a phalanfel, but not much more.
This is really fantastic news because it forces you to get a bit of creative and creative fantastic from scratch. Of course, it is a little more effort, but the usual taste compensates.
*To make sure your vegan or vegetarian supermarket that is attentive to the vegan or the V label in the packaging.
4. Eat more plants
Before moving to France, I ate many quor and meat substitutions. They are now more widely Avia, but when I first moved here, they are carried out at all. Or of course, protein is essential in our diets, but eggs and cheese get bored a little after a while. No matter the lack of variety!
Then, I begin to introduce beans, lentils, tofu and more nuts and seeds in my vegetarian diet. I begin to change my approach to being a vegetarian in France for animals and I got more aware of health benefits.
I have always been a bit aware of health, but the thesis changes really aroused my interest and any Vally went on to study nutrition.
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5. Be flexible
You may have to accept that the vegetarian meals you eat in French restaurants may not be the most balanced food you have eaten. It will probably end with a very heavy meal of carbohydrates, but occasionally this won, it makes a lot of difference.
Repetition is also very likely. I have had the goat cheese salad as my main food so many times that I have lost account.
For me, a large part of eating outside is the social element. It is an occasion and the opportunity to catch up with family and friends. Then, I concentrate on that side and I go with the flow even if vegetarian food in France is not exactly what I expected.
Hopefully the previous advice will help him navigate the vegetarian and vegan scene in France a little more or at least relieve that it is not the only one who finds him frustrating.
As with everything in life, our attitude and the approach we adopt affect our experience, so grant in the positive aspects and enjoy its time in this beautiful country as much as I can.
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Thank you very much, Catherine! Show him some love in the comments below and let me know how the vegetarian or vegan in France for you. You can visit the Catherine site here and follow her on Instagram here @Catherine Editor Coaching.
This is where to buy vegetarian food in France:
Biocoop: “bio” means organic (abbreviation of biologique). This specialized food store is like a much smaller integral food. You will find all kinds of vegan and vegetarian products. The popular chain has more than 700 locations in France.
Naturalia: This healthy food store is also popular among 200 locations and knows for its natural and vegan products in France.
The Vie Claire: Founded in the 1940s, this modern chain has around 350 stores throughout the country and is sponsored by the French cycling team of the same name.
For French food in the United States, see this incredible online groceries (and don’t forget to use my discount code!).
