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April 26, 2024
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Traveling to France in the near future as a vegan? While you won’t have any issues finding vegan food in Paris, it can be a little bit harder when you are venturing out of the bigger cities. Most Francophones also don’t speak English that well. It is useful to learn a few phrases to say that you are a vegan in French so that you can explain your dietary needs. In this post, I’ll tell you about what you can expect from French cuisine, and a few necessary easy French phrases and sentences to learn. Here we go!
Paris, France
France, and especially Paris, is on the bucket list of many travelers. It is a nation steeped in history, art, and culture that continues to enchant visitors from around the globe. Located in Western Europe, the country boasts a diverse landscape that ranges from the snow-capped peaks of the Alps to the sun-kissed shores of the Mediterranean.
Paris, the capital, is a symbol of romance and sophistication, with its iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, and Notre Dame Cathedral. The city boasts elegant boulevards, charming cafés, and cute neighborhoods that add to its charm.
Beyond Paris, France seems to have something for everyone. The picturesque vineyards of Bordeaux produce some of the world’s finest wines, while the fairytale châteaux of the Loire Valley give rise to a sense of wonder and grandeur.
The coastal regions like Brittany and Normandy are known for their rugged beauty and maritime snugness, with towns like Honfleur and Etretat, while the French Riviera boasts some incredible locations like the picturesque town of Menton and the famous film festival city of Cannes.
France’s cultural legacy is equally impressive, with big names like Victor Hugo, Claude Monet, and Marie Curie shaping the world’s literature, art, and science. The French take great pride in their language, cuisine, and traditions and preserve them with dedication and passion.
French croissants
French cuisine is known worldwide for its delicious flavors, meticulous preparation, and rich culinary traditions. It has a long history that dates back to the Middle Ages.
Bread and Pastries are a staple in France. French bread, particularly baguettes, and croissants, is celebrated for its crispy crust and soft interior. Pastries like pain au chocolat, éclairs, and macarons are also an integral part of French culture.
Furthermore, cheese, wine, and are a variety of sauces are a few more things French cuisine is famous for. There are over 400 distinct kinds of cheese in France and the world-famous Béchamel sauce is of Franch origin.
Unfortunately, almost none of the above things, aside from French baguettes, is vegan. That doesn’t mean however that you can’t find vegan dishes in France. Ratatouille, Soupe au Pistou and confit Byaldi are just a few dishes on offer. Other dishes can easily be veganized like Pizzaladière (without anchovies) or Salade Nicoise without tuna.
Le Havre, France
Is there a French word for vegan? Yes, there is! In French, a vegan is called a végétalien in the masculine form and végétalienne in the female form.
As a woman, when you want to say that you are a vegan, you say:
“Je suis végétalienne.”
When you are a man, you say:
” Je suis végétalien.”
The word “vegan” is also used, mostly as an adjective. For example: “I’m looking for vegan products” translates to “Je cherche des produit végane”.
It is however also accepted to use the word vegan instead of “végétalienne” and “végétalien”.
As a woman, this translates to:
“Je suis végane.”
As a man, this translates to:
“Je suis végan.”
Similarly, the words végétalien and végétalienne can also be used as an adjective. “I follow a vegan diet” can translate to “Je suis un régime végétalien” or “Je suis un régime végan”.
French restaurant in Paris
In the French vocabulary, they make a difference between being vegan and vegetarian. The words are pretty similar though so I’d suggest you watch your pronunciation carefully.
In French, vegetarian translate to “végétarien” for men and “végétarienne” for females. The only difference is the “l” that becomes an “r”.
Alternatively, you can use the word végan(e) instead, however, “Je suis végétalien(ne)” sounds more correct.
Honfleur harbor, France
If you want to explain yourself a little more in-depth you can try to use this sentence:
“As a vegan in France, I don’t consume any animal products. This means I avoid eggs, dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt, as well as honey, meat, chicken and seafood. Instead, I focus on a plant-based diet, enjoying fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and grains.”
In French, this translates to:
“En tant que végétalien(ne) en France, je ne consomme aucun produit d’origine animale. Cela signifie que j’évite les œufs, les produits laitiers tels que le lait, le fromage et le yaourt, ainsi que le miel, la viande et les fruits de mer. À la place, je privilégie un régime à base de plantes, en appréciant les fruits, les légumes, les légumineuses, les noix et les céréales.”
If you are not fully vegan, but still consume one of the above things like free-range eggs or honey you can use the following sentence by adding the correct word:
“I am an vegan but I do eat….”
Translates to:
“Je suis végétalien(ne) mais je mange encore…”
If you want to explain yourself as a vegan in French, you’ll have to watch your pronouncuniation but generally, it is not that hard to explain you’re dietary wishes when traveling in France;
Unlike in other countries in the world, veganism and a vegan lifestyle are well-known in France and restaurants will try to cater to your dietary needs when asked for it. Moreover, French cuisine consists of vegan delicious dishes like ratatouille and Soupe au Pistou that can be found on a lot menus around the country.
Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions about this or drop me a message through my contact page.
Also, don’t forget to check out my resources page with my favorite booking platforms and tips to start planning your trip.
Additionally, have a look at my favorite travel gear if you want to pack more consciously!
ENJOY!
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Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and yourself!
On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more!
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