What being vegetarian and vegan in France taught me about French culture

Good morning, everyone! I have a guest post for you today from Catherine, an English woman I’ve known for a couple of years who originally came to France to work for a summer in 2015 and ended up staying a little longer than planned. She met her husband in France and six years later she can’t seem to stay away. Catherine and her husband spend their time between France and the UK and currently live on the spectacularly beautiful Côte d’Azur. She works online as a nutrition and lifestyle coach, helping women ditch diets and regain energy.

What follows are his words about what it has been like to be a vegetarian and vegan in France. Let’s get into it…

Vegetarian and vegan in France: 5 things I have learned

Is it difficult to be vegetarian or vegan in France? Well, France isn’t exactly known for being vegetarian. There is a reason for that. I have worked here for the last six years as a vegetarian and more recently as a vegan in France, and to say it has been a challenge is an understatement. Things have improved in recent years, but it’s still not as easy to be a vegetarian in France as it is in the UK.

Let’s get into five things that being vegan and vegetarian in France has taught me about the country and some tips that will help you get ahead as a vegan. If you’re planning to travel to France and are worried about what you’ll be able to eat while you’re here, I hope this helps shed some light on vegetarianism in France.

1. French cuisine

French cuisine is a beautiful thing, and while meat and fish often take center stage, there are some exquisite vegetable dishes. Side dishes often make up my entire meal, and at a good restaurant, sides can be delicious.

Ratatouille, green beans, potatoes or broccoli gratin are delicious French vegetarian foods and easy to prepare in the kitchen.

For a carnivore, these dishes may be overlooked, but not when they are the main event. Learning to turn simple ingredients into a work of art is something the French really master, and I think you appreciate this more as a vegetarian.

2.Cultural pride

The French are immensely proud of their culture and French cuisine is known around the world for its quality.

Many French foods and wines receive the protected status of AOC (Controlled Designation of Origin) or AOP (l’appellation d’origine protégée), which classify a product as originating from a specific region and also refers to the quality, tradition and knowledge of how a product is produced.

This includes some poultry and lamb. French dishes like beef bourguignon, coq au vin, and cassoulet may be dishes that vegetarians should avoid, but they are world famous and staples in French homes. Pride in French culture and cuisine is another reason why the adoption of vegetarianism in France is slow.

3.Tradition

In my first years living in France, I was lucky to live in the traditional village of Muides-sur-Loire. There you will find everything you expect, including boulangerie, boucherie and fromagerie. Although I personally never went to the butcher shop, it was a pleasure to see families taking an evening stroll to pick up their locally produced food.

In rural areas, lunchtime remains sacred. This is a time to take a break, eat good food, and socialize. Meat or fish are usually part of this meal. I think the element of tradition is another reason why vegetarianism is slow to take off in France. The bond between food, family and tradition is strong and that generally includes meat, which brings me to…

4. Meat is a way of life

In a French supermarket, you will see many parts of the animal sold as meat that you wouldn’t see in the UK, such as the hooves and heart. Restaurants serving frog legs, foie gras, tongue, and steak tartare (a meat dish eaten raw) are more common than you might expect.

Recently, the mayor of Lyon tried to remove meat from the school menu. It was met with protests and a French minister described it as an “unacceptable insult” directed at French farmers and butchers.

Hopefully this gives you an idea of ​​what meat is viewed in French culture. This is obviously 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 talk

The owner of a French restaurant once told me that she found the English disconcerting. When asked, “Is everything okay with your food?” They always say yes and sometimes leave negative reviews on Trip Advisor. I didn’t think the French did that. If they had the opportunity to provide honest feedback about a meal, they would. This gives you the opportunity to correct any mistakes, meaning your guests leave as satisfied customers.

Use this to your advantage. Order exactly what you want, whether it’s modifying a dish on the menu to suit your needs or a couple of starters instead of a main dish. If you’re not happy, say so, politely of course. Restaurant staff may not understand your reasons for not eating animal products, but they absolutely understand the importance of providing excellent service.

Surprise your French dining companion with my restaurant etiquette tips >>

So being a vegetarian or vegan in France is a challenge, but it’s not all bad. It also taught me a lot and helped me grow in other ways.

Here are 5 things I have learned from being a vegetarian in France:

1. Communicate clearly

During one of my first dates with my then-boyfriend (now husband) I told the waitress that I was a vegetarian. He offered me a plate of pasta with salmon. My French wasn’t good then and since I didn’t listen to everything she said, I accepted her idea of ​​French vegetarian food.

Luckily, my husband was paying attention and intervened. I ended up eating pasta and ratatouille again, but it’s better than a fish dish. I find it easier to ask: “Do you have any dishes without meat or fish?” instead of saying I’m a vegetarian.

That way you will avoid any confusion. Of course, this is more relevant in small towns and rural areas. It doesn’t necessarily apply in big cities where you may be lucky enough to find vegetarian and vegan dishes on the menu.

2. Ask in advance

One of the best ways to avoid a disappointing experience at a French restaurant is to inform them of your dietary needs in advance. It takes a little more planning and organization, but it’s worth the extra effort. I did it at the Auberge du Bon Terroir in Muides-sur-Loire.

The chef and restaurant owner had never created a meat-free dish in her restaurant before and rose to the challenge for vegans in France. She created two courses using only produce from her garden and was as excited as I was with the results.

If a French chef can serve you delicious food, he will. It’s easier if they have a little warning.

3. Be creative in the kitchen

While French supermarkets are improving in terms of the range of vegetarian and vegan products they sell, you probably won’t find an entire aisle or section dedicated to “free from” products like you would in the UK. In smaller towns you’ll find a good variety of vegetarian or vegan burgers, maybe even some falafel, but not much else.

This is actually fantastic news because it forces you to get a little creative and create fantastic meals from scratch. Of course, it takes a little more effort, but the flavor usually makes up for it.

*To make sure your grocery shopping is vegan or vegetarian, look out for EVE vegan or V-Label on the package.

4. Eat more plants

Before moving to France, I ate a lot of Quorn and processed meat substitutes. They’re more available now, but when I first moved here, they weren’t at all. Of course, protein is essential in our diet, but eggs and cheese get a little boring over time. Never mind the lack of variety!

So I started introducing beans, lentils, tofu and more nuts and seeds into my vegetarian diet. I started to stop focusing on being a vegetarian in France for the animals and became more aware of the health benefits.

I’ve always been a bit health conscious, but these changes really piqued my interest and I eventually moved 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 you’ve ever eaten. You’ll probably end up with a high-carb meal, but once in a while this won’t make much difference.

It is also very likely to be repeated. I’ve had goat cheese salad as a main meal so many times I’ve lost count.

For me, a big part of eating out is the social element. It’s an occasion and a chance to catch up with family and friends. So, I focus on that side and go with the flow even if vegetarian food in France isn’t exactly what I expected.

Hopefully, the tips above will help you navigate the vegetarian and vegan scene in France a little easier, or at least give you some relief that you’re not the only one who finds it frustrating.

As with everything in life, our attitude and the approach we take affects our experience, so focus on the positive and enjoy your time in this beautiful country as much as you can.

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Thank you very much, Catherine! Show some love in the comments below and tell me what it’s been like for you to be a vegetarian or vegan in France. You can visit Catherine’s site here and follow her on Instagram here. @catherinedeancoaching.

Here is where to buy vegetarian food in France:

Biocoop: “Bio” means organic (short for biologique). This store specializing in natural foods is like a much smaller Whole Foods. You will find all kinds of vegan and vegetarian-friendly products. The popular chain has more than 700 stores in France.

Naturalia – This health food store is also popular with around 200 stores and known for its natural and vegan products in France.

La 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 US, visit this amazing online French grocery store (and don’t forget to use my discount code!).

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PIN my vegetarian and vegan post in France:

Featured Image Credit: www.shutterstock.com/Letterberry