The Survival Guide for Vegans in France in 2026 (Where to Eat, Shop and Prepare During Your French Vacation)
Being a vegan in France has certainly become easier than it was twenty years ago; however, in rural France, it’s a little harder.
France is known for its cuisine, and one of the first things that springs to mind when thinking about French food is often cheese, closely followed by buttery croissants.
Of course, that’s great as long as you’re not vegan.
My next-door neighbor, in France, Simon, is vegan and has been for about 20 years.
He struggles when we go out for a meal, and not being vegan myself, I struggle when he comes over for dinner.
It feels like a cop-out to give him a jacket potato with a salad, so I like to try different vegan recipes. And I’ve found some great vegan alternatives, the more I look.
What Is It Really Like Being a Vegan in France?
Luckily, things like chickpeas and lentils are readily available in French supermarkets.
And with local daily markets a way of life in France, we have no shortage of fresh fruit and veg.
But I can say with all honesty that, where we live in rural France, restaurants in the Charente are genuinely mystified by the idea of being vegan.
There have been times when Simon has asked for a salad, explaining that he’s a vegan and doesn’t eat meat, only to have it arrive with lardons.
And the answer, when he questions it, is usually accompanied by a shrug and the words, “We only put a little bit of meat in.”
Saying that things have got better, and our local pizza restaurant in Mansle now offers a vegan pizza.
But being prepared is the key when travelling to France as a vegan if you want to avoid a tour de force.
How Do You Say Vegan in French?
First things first, you need to know how to let people know you are vegan. The most common phrase would be “Je suis végétalien(ne)”.
But this just tells people you don’t eat meat, rather than anything with animal products. So you could substitute “végétalien” with “végane”.
Another useful phrase is “je ne mange pas la viande”, I don’t eat meat. Or “je ne mange pas les produits des animales”, I don’t eat anything with animal products.
What Percentage of France is Vegan?
It’s actually higher than you’d think, particularly amongst the younger generation. France is known to be a country of meat eaters; however, the tides are starting to turn.
According to a survey by Deliveroo, a whopping 40% of 18-24-year-olds would be happy to try a vegan diet.
That being said, 28% said they’d avoid a vegan diet as it can harm your health, and meat is a necessary part of our diet.
The good news is that they’ve seen a massive rise in the number of vegan restaurants on the meal delivery app in France.
Is It Hard to Be Vegan in France?
The quick answer to this is no, as long as you’re prepared and know what to expect.
As I mentioned above, the abundance of wonderful fresh fruit and veg makes things a little easier.
Everything is seasonal in France, so you won’t find the huge choice you find in countries like the UK, US, Canada, and Australia, but it’s fresh and free of pesticides, etc.
So whether you’re coming to France for a vacation or whether you’re looking to make the move to live in France, being vegan is not impossible.
And to make it a little easier, below you’ll find everything you need to know about being a vegan in France, thanks to my vegan friends living out here who have helped me to make this a comprehensive guide to being a Vegan in France.
Eating Out as a Vegan in France
Veganism is on the rise in France, and although you need to search them out, there are restaurants with vegan options. In fact, there are even some fully vegan restaurants if you look hard enough.
These three tips should help.
Tip 1: Download the Happy Cow App
My vegan friends swear by the Happy Cow App when they’re travelling. It’s been a lifesaver for them when they’ve been on holiday in France. It’s quite literally the bible of vegan-friendly places to eat worldwide.
You can search by location and enable geolocation to get more accurate recommendations.
One of my favorite places to go in Angouleme, The Garden, a plant-based tearoom, is on the App, and I can highly recommend it.
Tip 2: Download Veg O Resto
If you like Happy Cow but want something dedicated to France, this App and website are brilliant.
Veg O Resto is the French version of Happy Cow. Just set your browser to translate, and you’re all set. It’s quite literally a guide to all the vegan restaurants in France.
They also have another educational website all about being a vegan, which is fantastic.
Tip 3: Check out Vegan Facebook Pages and Groups
There is pretty much a Facebook Group or Page for everything now, and that includes vegans in France. These sorts of groups are so helpful, and you’ll find plenty of people willing to give you recommendations.
A couple you can try are:
Tip 4: Use The Dietary Requirements Filter on TripAdvisor
It might seem obvious, but use the filter option on TripAdvisor. It can be a little hard to find, but it’s there. You can filter restaurants by both vegetarian and vegan options. And for my gluten-free friends, you can filter by that too.
Don’t expect the huge array you might find in London or New York, but you will get options, I know, because I’ve looked and found them.
Best Vegan Cities in France
It probably goes without saying that Paris is probably the most vegan-friendly city in France. I can highly recommend a trip to VG Pastry, where they have a full range of vegan artisanal pastries.
And as France is famous for cheese, you should also check out the cheese alternatives at www.jay-joy.com
Another city worth mentioning for food and vegan options is Bordeaux, which is up there on the foodie list. I know friends of mine LOVE Monkey Mood, a fully vegan restaurant with fun vintage decor.
Other cities that offer good vegan options include Nice, Marseille, Lyon, and Strasbourg.
But, I have to say, I’m finding more and more of the smaller towns are starting to become vegan and vegetarian-friendly.
Vegan Restaurants in France
Let me start by saying that if you go to a traditional French restaurant in the middle of a small village in the middle of the French countryside, you’re not likely to find a vegan option. You might get vegetarian at a push, but the options are limited.
The French love their food, and meat is a big part of that, so in more rural areas, the idea of not eating meat is completely off the radar for them.
It’s a cultural thing, especially with the older generation.
One of my favorite things to do when going to a French village I’ve not been to before is to try the Plat du Jour at the local restaurant, it’s basically the dish of the day and a set menu.
I’ve yet to find one with a vegan option, so I wouldn’t advise doing this.
However, the best thing to do if you’re not sure is to use the two apps I mentioned, Happy Cow and Veg O Resto.
You’ll be surprised at how many options there are now, but most of them will be in the cities or larger towns.
Vegan Food in French Supermarkets
If you love a bit of online shopping, you’re in luck because there are some great vegan online stores you can take advantage of here in France. Some of the best ones are:
- Official Vegan Shop – they stock everything, and not just groceries
- Vegetal Square – lots of great meat alternatives and a gluten-free range too
- Un Monde Vegan – unfortunately, their physical store in Paris is closing, but the online store isn’t going anywhere
If online isn’t for you, you’ll find some really good bio stores in France that offer plenty of plant-based options. These are two of the most popular options:
- Biocoop – most major towns have one, so they’re pretty easy to find
- Naturalia – not just vega,n but lots of great options, and they’re online too
For a full list of Vegan grocery stores around France, check out Vegan and Home and Travel, as they’ve done the hard work for you.
Where to Stay as a Vegan in France
We’re finding more and more vegan gites, chambre d’Hotes, and hotels popping up around France.
Two I know very well and can highly recommend aren’t far from me.
MY TOP PICK – Under the Lime Tree – Vegan B&B and Spa
The closest is Niki at Under the Lime Tree, a vegan-run B&B and Spa in Cellefrouin, Charente. It’s the most tranquil place, and Niki makes all her food from scratch. It’s a completely vegan menu.
I love her food so much, I even have her cookbook, so I can make great food for Simon, my vegan neighbor.
As well as the food, there is a wonderful hot tub perched on the hill overlooking the countryside.
And, of course, if you’re looking for a bit of R&R, you’ll love the hot stone massage and Indian head massage.
NO 2 PICK – La Cour de Husson Vegan Gite
If you’d rather go with a gite, but with the benefit of a vegan breakfast, you’ll love La Cour de Husson. Run by Jen and Nick, who were on the British TV programme A New Life in the Sun, it’s tucked away near the historical village of Tusson.
Not far from Cognac and views of the vineyards, it has everything you need, including a lovely swimming pool to relax in, for those hot days.
They renovated the old farmhouse themselves and have thought of everything, including an office just in case you need it.
They use vegan & sustainable toiletries, and breakfast can be either continental or hot and is all made on the premises from a delicious vegan menu.
NO 3 PICK – Mostarlic Vegan and Gluten-free B&B
You can’t beat a good B&B in France. Friends of mine recently stayed at Mostarlic Vegan B&B and raved about it.
It’s in the beautiful Champagne region in the Ardennes and run by Samantha and Doran. They’ve built the property themselves, and it’s been a labour of love.
They also cater to pets, which is a bonus.
Vegan Food Tours & Picnics in Paris & Lyon
Believe it or not, there are some fantastic vegan foodie tours in some of the bigger cities in France.
So if you’ve ever had food tour envy because none of them were vegan-friendly, I’ve got you covered right here with a couple of great tours.
Private Plant-based Picnic in Paris
We all love a bit of decadence, and picnics in France are a must, especially in Paris. What’s even better is when it’s all done for you and made part of a food tour of Paris.
With a plant-based option available, you’ll be able to enjoy the quintessential picnic experience, complete with a basket and blanket.
The Paris Vegan Street Food Tour
This tour will take you to the hidden vegan gems in Paris that you’d probably not find on your own unless you were a local.
It takes the stress out of finding somewhere to eat and allows you to try ‘before you buy’ with tastings and more.
And bonus, each place you visit on the tour is vegan!
Lyon Vegan Food Tour
If Lyon is your destination and you want to discover the delights the city has to offer for vegans with a passionate local vegan guide, you’ll love this tour.
You’ll also discover the hidden passageways of Croix-Rousse into the bargain.
Vegan Wine Tasting in Paris
Sample the delights of French wine with a vegan twist. The owners of the wine store know their wine and share their knowledge with you about the wine they stock.
You’ll enjoy vegan appetizers, along with tasting the wine that is all vegan-friendly.
Final Thoughts: Travelling as a Vegan in France
Contrary to popular belief, traveling as a vegan in France isn’t Mission Impossible. There are plenty of great vegan-friendly restaurants, hotels, and B&Bs.
Plus, with apps like Happy Cow and Veg O Resto, you can find everything you need quickly and easily.
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