Gluten Free and Vegetarian?

Thanks for putting this question out here. I am gluten-free and follow a low FODMAP diet and have the same question about navigating Italy or any other European destination. I look forward to hearing about how others made it work.

have the same question about navigating Italy

Surprisingly, we found Northern Italy to be quite easy as far as gluten free went! Turin and Verona in particular had some excellent options. Nonna Cleme in Turin had an amazing GF crust in particular. The GF pasta was also phenomenal.

I am gluten-free and follow a low FODMAP diet and have the same question about navigating Italy or any other European destination

My vegan, gluten-free, FODMAP niece had no problems spending 3 months in Milan, Verona and Venice.

Is it reasonable to tell a restaurant her dietary restriction and assume they'll be able to accommodate

Yes, it should be. Another way to go about it is to just ask what the ingredients are in dishes and then order accordingly.

It will be trickier than in Paris, for sure. Even without the GF issue, many places will not have a vegetarian option on the menu (only meat or fish), so you will need to do some research beforehand. Adding the need for GF food, asking the restaurant beforehand is indeed the way to go.

And if your trip is longer than 1 week, I would go so far as suggesting you pick self-catering accomodations for a few days during your trip to ease the pressure of constantly having to hunt for suitable places to eat. My partner and I are pescetarian, which is normally very easy, but even that can be tricky in some parts of the country (I'm looking at you, Auvergne!).

I’m interested in this too as my husband needs gf food (not vegetarian) and we’re planning on some travel through the Dordogne area staying in small hotels.
Our experience (not in France yet though) is that gf isn’t so hard if you are prepared to eat no carbs, eg fruit for breakfast or a salad for lunch, but that isn’t really sustainable on an active holiday. I’ve been known to have a few slices of gf bread or roll or crackers in my handbag to whip out if necessary.

I’m interested in this too as my husband needs gf food

Indulge in some French cheeses.

Snails cooked in butter and garlic are both gf and delicious.