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gluten free financiers paris

Good news for gluten-free folks! I’ve happily updated this post and list regularly over the years, as Paris has become a more gluten-free-friendly destination, and avoiding gluten is not the obstacle that it once was. That’s not to say you can easily eat everywhere, but nowadays supermarkets carry gluten-free products, and several excellent bakeries offer freshly made gluten-free pastries and breads.

The following are addresses, and some helpful hints, that will help you navigate French restaurants and dining in Paris, including where you can find gluten-free products and foods, gluten-free restaurants, and wonderful French pastry shops and bakeries that are 100% gluten-free.


Chambelland gluten free bread paris pastry bakery bread boulangerie

-Get to know the natural foods shops in Paris.

Well-known natural food stores in France include Naturalia, La Vie Claire, Bio C’ Bon, and Biocoop, and there is a branch of at least one in every neighborhood in the city. All carry gluten-free products and grains. Biocoop is the most varied, although Naturalia has many shops. Most supermarkets in Paris have a gluten-free selection of products as well. You may have to poke around to find it, but they often carry pasta, bread, cookies, and more.

-Check out some of the gluten-free restaurants in Paris.

Noglu is a completely gluten-free restaurant and épicerie. You can read more at my write-up of Noglu. (Note: They closed the Passage des Panorama address.)

Le Pont Traversé is a gluten-free café and bakery.

Also check out 7 Places to Eat Gluten-Free in Paris (in French, Vanity Fair)

Les Lieux 100% sans gluten à Paris (100% Gluten-Free places in Paris, in French, at Gluten-Free in Paris)

Bears & Raccoons (21, rue Richard Lenoir) Café and coffee shop that’s gluten-free.

42 Degrees features raw, vegan, gluten-free dishes.

Little Nonna – Serves gluten-free pizza and Italian food.

Hank Burger – Vegan burgers and pizza, as well as brunch, with some items that are made without gluten.

Café Mareva – Bakery and café with gluten-free options.

Kapunka – Modern Thai restaurants that are gluten-free. (One address is also vegan.)

42 Degrés – Gluten-free dining.

NOTE: Since starting this list, things have changed dramatically in Paris and a majority of restaurants will guide to toward gluten-free options, although most likely can’t guarantee that there will not be any traces of gluten in the food if they serve other dishes with gluten. Here are a few places that might be pleasing for gluten-free diners: Clamato (mostly seafood), Ellsworth, Verjus, Juveniles, Kubri, Holybelly, Comer Paris-Mexico, and Café Méricourt. If making reservations online or by phone, let them know that you are avoiding gluten. And if there is a restaurant that you want to go in Paris that is not on this page, ask them (politely) if they could prepare a gluten-free meal for you.

A few other gluten-free “friendly” restaurants.

Soya (20, rue Pierre Levée, Tél: 01 48 06 33 02) is a hip vegetarian restaurant that has clearly marked gluten-free dishes on the menu. The restaurant isn’t strictly gluten-free.

Breizh Café offers buckwheat galettes, made in the traditional way with only buckwheat flour. Bernadette is another great (and friendly) crêperie that offers gluten-free crêpes. (Both places also serve flour-based crêpes but may reserve a griddle for gluten-free customers. Best to ask.)

Cojean is a chain of small “snack-style” restaurants that offer gluten-free options.

-Check out a gluten-free French bakery or food shop.

Chambelland Boulangerie (14, rue Terneux, 11th) Excellent gluten-free bread bakery and café. ♥ All photos in this post are from Chambelland.

Noglu Épicerie (16, Passage des Panoramas, 2nd, and another location at 69, rue de Grenelle in the 7th) French pastries and takeaway food.

Christopher Michalak pastry shops have pastries that specifically don’t contain wheat flour.

Some bakeries that aren’t gluten-free, but carry gluten-free bread (made in a shop with regular bread is made) are L’Autre Boulange and Eric Kayser. (Certain branches may or may not carry them.)

Yummy & Guiltfree is a waffle bar, promising gluten-free gaufres (Belgian-waffles)

LBH is a bakery and pastry shop that offers some gluten-free items.

La Guinguette d’Anglèle describes itself as a gluten-free “mini boutique” with takeaway treats.

Clémentine Oliver is a gluten-free bakery that makes bread and pastries.

-Bring a few supplies and snacks from home.

You might want to bring some favorite gluten-free energy bars from home to carry around, to hold you over in case you get hungry when you’re out-and-about. When you’re hungry in an airport or train station, where the pickings may be slim, you’ll be thankful.


-Rent an apartment so you can prepare meals yourself.

Sure it’s nice to go out to eat. But it’s equally fun to shop in a Parisian supermarket or outdoor market. It’s also a great way to sample lots of the cheeses, assemble a big salad, sample the fruits and berries, and enjoy other specialties that you can’t get in restaurants.

Also look for signs for traiteurs, gloriously stocked take-out shops. And keep an eye for things that are “maison”, which means they’re made on-premises and the staff and cooks should know exactly what’s in them and how they’re prepared. And don’t be afraid to ask questions—French people love to talk about food!

-Print out a small card that’s easy-to-read, in French, which very briefly explains your condition.

Servers in France are much busier than their American counterparts since they don’t have busboys, runners, etc…and dining rooms are short-staffed. So make their job easier since they may not have time to play charades with you, and blow you off. Don’t take it personally; just realize they’re busy. Keep it brief so they’re more likely to read it. You can find cards to print out in French here.

-Be a regular at the same restaurants.

Although it’s tempting to try lots of places, most Parisians themselves go to the same restaurants over and over. (They call their favorite their cantine.) Make a nearby restaurant your cantine where the staff knows you. Even if you’re in town for just a week, by your second visit, you’ll be recognized and they’ll look more kindly on you and be much more accommodating.

Also if you dine during slower times, outside of prime dining times (lunch 12:30 to 2pm and dinner 8pm to 11pm) the waiters and cooks will be under less stress and able to look after you better. If dining in a more upscale restaurant, tell them your needs when you make the reservation so they have time to prepare and it’s not such a big surprise.

-Find gluten-free bread in Paris.

Although there are no dedicated gluten-free bakeries that I know of in Paris, Biocoop sells fresh gluten-free bread (although it’s stored on the same shelves, next to the regular bread) as do Naturalia store. Biocoop also has some freshly made gluten-free cakes as well. As mentioned above, both shops have gluten-free sections in their stores that sell a variety of snacks and other foods.

L’Autre Boulange has gluten-free breads, although they are made in a bakery that produces regular bread as well. And Chambelland is a completely gluten-free bakery.

-Apologize for being a bother.

This is the hardest thing for Americans who are used to the ‘Customer Is King’ concept. In France, you may find people less accommodating than you’re used to as food allergies don’t have the same prominence in France as they have elsewhere. Demanding something or causing a scene won’t work to your advantage in France. Don’t demand a restaurant serve you gluten-free food, but instead, apologize for being a bother – then make your request nicely. They’re likely to take better care of you if they are on your side. French people can be very helpful: You just need to make them want to be. As in many places in America, people don’t understand how careful you must be.

If for some reason they’re not taking you seriously, or you’re concerned that you may be getting something with gluten in it, it’s okay to leave something on your plate, or leave before ordering. Apologize for leaving, thank them, and leave. If you make a scene, you’ll regret it. Don’t let it ruin your vacation. Just move on.

If you’ve already ordered or been served, nicely ask the waiter if you have any concerns without being accusatory. If you’re unsure, just drink the wine and ask for a plate of cheese or a salad with oil and vinegar à parte, on the side, since bottled dressings (which are used frequently) often have wheat starch added.

In France, it’s very rare to return food or to change food once it’s brought to the table (or even after it’s been ordered) so you’re likely to be charged for the meal even if you don’t eat it or it’s not to your liking.

Once again, don’t let something minor ruin your vacation. Imagine if a non-English speaking person came to America with a strict dietary need that was not well-known and the waiter didn’t speak their language or understand.

And if you’re frustrated, take another sip of wine and let out an exasperated *sigh*…you’ll fit right in amongst the Parisians!

Bon Appétit!


Gluten-Free Links

Ten Insanely-Good Things You Shouldn’t Miss in Paris: Plenty of great suggestions that are gluten-free.

Top 14 Gluten-free Restaurants in France (Marie France, in French)

Health Care Tips for Traveling to France

National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (US)

A Gluten-Free Guide to Paris

l’Association Francaise Des Intolérants Au Gluten: French Association of Gluten Intolerants (In French)

Gluten-Free Passport Travel Guide for France & Italy

Living Gluten-Free For Dummies

Gluten-Free Paris: Links, Tips and Information

Schär Gluten-Free Products: Available in Europe—site has a search engine for stores which stock their products in France.

The American Hospital of Paris has English-speaking doctors in case you need medical care. You will likely have to pay out-of-pocket then apply for reimbursement when you get home, if you’re American.

Groupe d’Etude et de Recherche sur la Maladie Coelique (In French)

A Gluten-Free Guide to Glutinous Paris (Vogue)

French Gluten-Free Food Blogs

La Belle au blé dormant

Les Carnets de Miss Diane

Ma Cuisine sans Gluten

Gluten Corner

Clem Sans Gluten


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20 comments

    • wheatlessbay

    All good advice, I think. Also, I can think of one reason to feel more confident eating-out in France than in the US: the French waiter likely has enough food knowledge to communicate intelligently about the food, and the food is actually being made from scratch on site.

    In the US one often has to pay a lot for that kind of conversation. The last perky eighteen-year-old I queried at a not-inexpensive steak house in Boston didn’t know if the ribs were beef or pork.

    • Michelle

    Thanks for writing about this, David. I am a Celiac and visited Paris a couple of years ago. I ate wonderfully well and never got sick while I was there (despite my merely passable high school French). Servers were wonderful and did not mind answering lots of questions.

    One other tip, particularly for the economically-challenged traveler, is to grab some (gluten-free) meat, cheese, and veggies from a local market or grocery and you’ve got a picnic lunch. This is what I did for lunch every day I was there, and I hardly missed the bread.

    • CeliacChick

    Hi David! It’s Kelly from CeliacChicks in NYC! Thank you for writing about this. I get emailed all the time from people that are going to visit France and are nervous about eating gluten-free.

    I thought you and your readers also might like the link to the European Celiac Society.

    They are very organized and have a great youth program too.

    Also, the book “Gluten Free Passport” is a great help for navigating foreign cuisines.

    Thanks again!

    • David

    CeliacChick: Thanks for the heads-up about that book. I added the link in the post. What great resources! I felt bad since I get asked that occasionally and never knew how to respond. Glad to help my fellow eaters.

    wheatless: I think it depends on where you’re dining. It’s unfortunate that waiters in the US may not know so much about what’s going on in the kitchen (and they should!) but many restaurants in France use pre-made or convenience products as well and often don’t know if there’s wheat-starch lurking in there or not.

    More reasons to eat locally, seasonally, and above all, fresh! : )

    Michelle: Yes, shopping in France is a lot of fun, and more economical than dining out. Especially when there’s all these great cheeses and wines here. Oh, and chocolates too!

    • shauna

    Merci, David. I’m sure you know how many people are going to google “eating gluten-free in Paris,” out of desperation, and be comforted by your post. you rock.

    • Denise

    David,
    Did you have some thing new for a celiac who are going to Paris?

    • Kelly

    Bonjour, David!

    I just had guest blogger Mrs. GF ( http://myglutenfreecookbook.blogspot.com/ ) write an excellent guide to dining gluten-free in Paris! She did extensive research and lists several restaurants by name.

    Here is her gluten-free guide to Paris on CeliacChicks:
    http://www.celiacchicks.com/2008/11/paris-gluten-fr.html

    Also, rumor has it that this gluten-free restaurant is opening up in Paris:
    http://www.dessietdesmets.com/

    You’ll have to check this place out for us! : )

    That’s good information, Kelly. I hope that restaurant is a success. There’s not much awareness of food allergies here. For example, my local health food store does stock gluten-free bread, but it shares space, unwrapped, with all the other loaves on the same wheat flour-dusted shelves! -dl

    • Mary Ann McGrath

    Hello David

    I have been enjoying your website as I prepare for a visit to Paris in early Sept.

    One of my things, as a recent Celiac and a bit of a foodie, is finding traditional foods that have always been gluten free. Things that come to mind Indian breads using chick pea flour, the rice noodles in Asian foods etc.

    It is my understanding that galettes de ble noir (buckwheat crepes) – a traditional Breton food – are gluten free. Buckwheat is not actually a relative of wheat at all. However in recipe searches many receipes have added wheat.

    I read with interest your review of the Breizh Cafe. If they are as traditional as they sound I suspect their galettes should be gluten free. I have tried emailing them without a response -is this something you could check. This might open up a whole new dining experience to gluten free diners.

    Mary Ann

    • David

    Hi Mary Ann: Although they told me the galettes they make at Breizh Cafe are made with buckwheat flour only, they do use regular flour in their dessert crêpes, so there’s always a chance of cross-contamination. It’s best to just go in and ask. They’re very nice, and most of the dining room staff speak reasonable English.

    • Anna

    I was very glad to find this post and the informative comments, too. My son and I are only 6 months into our gluten-free experience (gluten-free at home is a breeze), and French food seemed like it would be the most formidable challenge after an uncomfortable experience following a Mother’s Day brunch at a French-inspired fine dining restaurant in the US.

    We love France and Paris, though we are only able to visit every 5-10 years or so. Hopefully by the next trip, the emerging gluten sensitivity research and awareness will be more commonly known in France, too.

    • alia

    thank you for the cards david!!! even though i speak french your cards were such a great idea – i am printing out a dozen so the waiter can take them back to the chef and i don’t have to worry.

    thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

    alia

    toronto, canada

    • Senza Glutine

    David,

    What a great list! Thank you for pulling it all together. I lived in Paris from 1998-2000- two years before I found out about my celiac disease. I am preparing to go back for a weeklong visit with my husband and some friends next spring, so all this information will be most helpful.

    A decade ago, my diet pretty much consisted of baguettes, panini, crepes, and tartes au citron. (I was a poor university student with three bakeries just outside my door.) I am glad to know that gluten free food does exist in Paris even if I ignored it while I was there.

    Though now that I think about it, I do recall a particularly delicious lentil salad that was probably gluten free at a sweet little place called Les Deux Abeilles in the 7th. Any idea if they’re still around? They also had an amazing chocolat a l’ancien (it was like drinking a melted bar of chocolate- but in a good way).

    Also, do you know if there are any restaurants in Paris that serve socca/farinata? I recently discovered this naturally GF phenomenon in NYC and am totally in love.

    Thanks again!

    p.s. Fortunately, I was able to experience the magic that is l’As du Fallafel on a fairly regular basis before I knew it was causing my body to attack itself… When I take my friends there, at least I’ll know exactly what I’m missing!

    • david

    Hi Senza: I don’t know any restaurants that serve socca, but Alaen at the Marché des Enfants Rouge (3rd) makes them on his griddle. (I wrote about him in The Sweet Life in Paris!) Traditionally socca has no wheat flour in it, but I would ask because he might be mixing & flipping his own variation.

    alia: Glad those could help! I would still be certain that you order carefully. Gluten-free is still a ‘new’ concept to many French people (as are other food allergies) so even if they say the bottle dressing doesn’t contain flour that they’re putting on your salad, they likely don’t understand that ‘wheat protein’ is essentially the same thing.

    But do make sure you get the waiter on your side. Speaking French, even not-so-well, is one great way to do it. Most are very professional and are good at their jobs, in spite of their reputation.

    • Karin

    Thank you so much for this information, David! Almost a year into living in Paris, I discovered I am gluten-intolerant and this article has been indispensible to me as I negotiate a new way of living and eating here in the city.

    I have a WordPress blog where I chronicle some of my adventures in Paris and what it is like to be gluten-intolerant here, and I just reviewed a restaurant where I ate at the beginning of the month in the 5th arr. called Le Puit de Légumes, 18, rue Cardinal Lemoine. It’s a vegetarian, macrobiotic restaurant with gluten-free dishes that opened about 10 months ago (maybe you have even written of it here; I didn’t check), and I found that the proprietress was aware and knowledgeable about gluten-free food preparation. Many of her dishes were gluten-free (salads, fish, a soy dessert which I tried) and she was very kind about my need to avoid gluten. Since there are also not a ton of vegetarian restaurants here, either (not dedicated ones, at any rate, and though this one served fish, they also had lacto-ovo-free entrées), I thought I would mention it!

    • Karin

    P.S. My blog is linked with my name up there, but here is the specific post about Le Puit de Légumes

    • Elizeane

    Thank you so much David, and thank all of you for the informations!!!
    My husband has a severe gluten-free-dairy-free diet and I couldn´t stop feeling sorry for him when we were in Paris last year. We are coming back in few days and this time, THANKS TO ALL OF YOU, our trip will be diferent, with a rich food experience!!
    If I hear about any other gluten-free places, I will post here for sure.

    Merci!!
    Elizeane

    • Olivia

    Thank you for this post! These are some great resources and ideas.

    I have to add, I ate in Paris not too long after going gluten free, and was treated wonderfully. Better than in the Canadian and American restaurants I’d been frequenting. I was surprised! It helps that I speak (imperfect) french, so I could communicate my needs clearly, but I was really blown away by how easily and politely they handled my needs.

    One waiter even joked around with me, teasing that he’d put blé in my eggs, etc. The lightheartedness about the whole affair was refreshing.

    • glutenfree

    Hi there!
    I would like to thank you so much for all the informations you provide us also for how useful your website is. Reached myself by a celiac disease, I know how hard it is to find good places to eat gluten free, that’s why I’m proposing a bed and breakfast “gluten free” in Paris. For more information have a look on my website http://www.glutenfreeparis.com
    Cheers

    • Jan Greenough

    I am celiac. I need gluten free/casien free food. I need to go to restaurants & markets. Thanks. Staying on corner of Archives and Bretonne in the Marais. Jan

    • Samy

    Paris is on our list as the next destination once we can fly and travel safe again. Our daughter has celiac and we check for places we can eat everywhere we go. Thanks for the list

A

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