French cuisine is all about lots of lusciously meaty dishes. What would you expect from the land that birthed steak tartare, foie gras and hearty meat stews like boeuf bourguignon and cassoulet?
But alas, if you have turned away from eating meat and embraced vegetarianism or veganism due to one reason or another, don’t worry, you will still be able to survive a visit or even a long stay in France.
For starters, you can use this useful list of French words and phrases that are truly helpful as a vegan or vegetarian.
Plus, we have a second part of this article:
7 Ways to Survive as a Vegan or Vegetarian in France
You can also check out my e-book called Paris for Foodies. It's got a section dedicated to vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Paris.
Download this list in PDF
No time to go through the whole list now? Don't worry, you can also download this list in PDF by clicking the button below.
How to convey your dietary restrictions in French
It can be difficult to explain in your own language that you cannot eat meat or other types of food. Imagine how hard it could be to say it in a foreign language like French! Thankfully, we prepared a list of words and terms you can readily draw from to inform people of your special diet.
Here are the French words and phrases to memorize.
| Végétalien(ne) | vegan |
| Végétarien(ne) | vegetarian |
| Je suis un végétarien(ne) | I am a vegetarian |
| Je ne mange pas de viande, de porc ou de poulet | I do not eat meat, pork or chicken |
| Je mange des Å“ufs, du lait et du fromage | I eat eggs, milk and cheese |
| Je suis un végétalien(ne) | I am a vegan |
| Je ne mange ni d'Å“ufs ni de lait | I do not eat eggs, milk |
| Je suis au régime | I have a special diet |
| Je ne peux pas manger de.... | I can't eat... |
| Je ne mange que... | I only eat... |
| Avez-vous des plats végétariens? | Do you have any vegetarian dishes? |
| Y a-t-il un restaurant végétarien près d'ici? | Is there a vegetarian restaurant near here? |
| Je mange que des légumes, céréales et grains. | I only eat vegetables, cereals and grains. |
| Je ne mange pas de produits issus des animaux ou de leur exploitation ni de miel, oeufs ou laitage et ses dérivés. | I don't eat any animal by-products, neither honey, eggs nor dairy and its derivatives. |
Vegan / Vegetarian French Vocabulary
Now for this part, learn French words for foods that are commonly restricted in special diets.
| Avoine (f) | Oats |
| Bio (m) | Organic |
| Blé (m) | Wheat |
| Céréales (f) | Cereals |
| Coeliaque | Ceoliac |
| Lentilles (f) | Lentils |
| Lentilles verts (f) | Green lentils |
| Farine Noir (f) | Flour (wholemeal) |
| Fromage (f) | Cheese |
| Gélatine (f) | Gelatine |
| Germes de soja (m) | Beansprouts |
| Haricots (m) | Haricots (m) |
| Noisette (f) | Hazelnut |
| Noix (f) | Walnuts |
| Lait (m) | Milk |
| Boulgour (m) | Bulguar wheat |
| Gluten (m) | Gluten |
| Soja (m) | Soja (m) |
| Tofu (m) | Tofu |
| Cajous (m) | Cajous (m) |
| Cajous (m) | Sprouts |
| Pois chiche (m) | Chickpea |
| Magasin diététique (m) | Health Food Shop |
| Oeuf (m) | Egg |
| Produits laitiers (m) | Produits laitiers (m) |
| Sans graisse animale | Without animal fat |
| Without animal fat | Buckwheat |
| Viande (f) | Viande (f) |
Conclusion
Being vegan or vegetarian already has a lot of challenges. Hopefully with this article, you'll be able to dine in France with less difficulty.
For more related articles, check out the following:
Eating out in France: the Ultimate Guide to Ordering Food Like a Local
115 French Food and Drinks Vocabulary
How to Read and Understand a French Menu
Want more French vocabulary?
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This is very helpful! Merci!
La liste est excellente mais ce serait bon d’avoir le genre des noms.
Merci.