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Vegitarian Food in Provence

I am a vegetarian (will eat cheese and egg) traveling to the Provence area (specifically in the Arles, Luberon, and Cotes du Rhone) and want to enjoy some of the local flavors. Does anyone know of any good restaurants for vegetarian fare. I know it's rather hard in this region to find food that has not at least been seasoned with meat, but any advice you can offer would be appreciated. Thanks.

Posted by
864 posts

You won't have any problem at all constructing a meal that is vegetarian off the menu. So maybe you have to order appetizers and soup and/or salad. Learn to say in French (and have it written out) that you are a vegetarian but have heard they have great non-meat dishes. Sounds like you're a lacto-omno (sp) vegetarian. If you eat fish (but no red meat) you're in like no body's business.

Posted by
34 posts

I was hoping it might be easy to construct a meal, however I definitely do not eat fish and do not want any broth from animals in my food. That is the hidden factor I am nervous about.

Posted by
8946 posts

Being a vegetarian is very popular in Europe. Most chefs and cooks do understand this concept and therefore will not put meat products in "vegetarian" dishes. This goes along the same line as someone being Moslem or Jewish and not wanting any pork products in their meal. Good chefs just do not do this.

Order ala carte or tell them you want a vegetable platter.

Posted by
34 posts

I know, I know, everything on the eating side would surely be easier if I ate meat! I probably will be staring at my husband licking his fingers, but hey, if the bread, wine, produce, veggies, cheese, and fruit are as good as people make them out to be, I am sure I will be in heaven!

Oh, and let's not forget the chocolate!!!!!! My mouth is watering.
Wow, that expression written out seems a little gross.

Posted by
324 posts

Jo, perhaps vegetarianism is better understood in your part of Europe than mine. I remember a friend trying to explain to a workmate about what she would and wouldn't eat (i.e. that she did not want to eat animals that had been killed to provide her with food). The Spaniard suggested that she try "sangre encebollada" (Coagulated blood fried with onions) because it wasn't necessary to kill the pig to get a bit of its blood! He wasn't pulling her leg -- he really thought that he was making a helpful suggestion.