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Gluten-Free Dining

Our last trip to France was in 2002. Since then my husband has developed Celiac and is reluctant to travel because of this. Can we purchase bread or crousants,cereal, cookies, etc. in Paris that are gluten-free? Dinner does not seem a problem, but it is lunch and breakfast that presents a problem. In the USA he will have a salad for lunch, but that gets pretty boring. It would be nice to have a sandwich once in a while.

We are planning a trip to Paris (in Rue Cler area) and Alsace (haven't decided on the hotel yet). Any info will be appreciated. Thank you.

Posted by
17560 posts

Johanna, I have had celiac all my life and it does not interfere with traveling. Your husband needs to change the way he thinks--croissants are out, but there is so much good food to enjoy without worry. Instead of seeking substitutes for the familiar, why not just enjoy the things that are naturally gluten-free? I'll admit, France is a bit more challenging than other places I've been (Norway, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, etc. etc.) because the pastries are so delicious. But. . . there is lots of other good food to eat there. It's not like Italy where one must (gasp!) skip the pasta!

If he likes cookies, I would suggest he carry them from the US. I never found a "health food" store in France that focused on gluten-free. You can find them in Germany and Switzerland, and of course, in the UK and Ireland..

Posted by
1170 posts

I have the same problem and been wondering myself about food. I do take chances at times, and will definitely eat pizza in Italy (if only 1/2 slice) to say that I tasted it :-(

I ate so many baguettes in France a few years ago that I got quite sick at the end. It's really hard. I do love some of their pastries too.

Tell hubby that I feel is pain, but this disease has never stopped me from travelling.