The gluten-free revolution in Paris

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“Let them eat cake,” an overturned, French monarch once said. And when in Paris, who could resist her advice? The gluten intolerants out there, that’s who! For them, this statement is just another slap in the face, in a long line of ‘this-contains-gluten’ disappointments. But there is a revolution afoot.

It was a mere four years ago that I first stepped foot in Paris, and animatedly charaded my way through an explanation of my condition which meant I definitely, under no circumstance, could consume the national, French grain.

I ended up spending my three-month stay living off rice and vegetables, and swallowing the heartbreak every time I opened my apartment window to the Parisian signature scent of croissants and pains au chocolat.

A year later, I found myself once more drawn to those famous Parisian lights, and that deep, buttery scent that greeted me the second I stepped off the plane. This time would be different I decided, and I sat down and hurriedly Googled ‘sans gluten Paris.

What I discovered was that, although France was well behind the gluten-free game in comparison to their fellow European Union members, they had come a long way since my first visit.

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France is a proud nation, with a culture and tradition worthy of guarding from the constant threat of globalisation, and so when they are told to give up something as sacred as the baguette, things become understandably tense. But little by little, in the ever-growing bio aisle of the supermarché, the words sans gluten, are beginning to take over.

The phenomenon is slowly creeping down every colour of the metro line, with many establishments now offering intolerant souls a way to experience the lauded French cuisine without coming down with Paris belly.

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In one particularly understanding restaurant, I got to talking to the owner about why France was so reticent when it came to accepting differences in traditional, French fare.

She proceeded to dish me up a tale of grand-mères slaving over the Sunday family lunch, marinated in salty butter from Brittany.

She regaled me with memories from her childhood – skipping down the cobblestoned lanes of Paris to collect the family’s daily pain from the local boulangerie who had known her since she was a babe, and yet still referred to her as “madameoiselle”.

There is a tradition, a certain nostalgia to be safe-guarded. But perhaps the French are starting to realise that French food folklore runs a lot deeper than the ingredients used to make their famous soupe à l’oignon.

There are a crafty bunch of food engineers and chefs out there who are making sure that France maintains the taste of its ancestor’s recipes whilst catering for the ever-growing, intolerant digestive systems of its current population.

Zoë Bradley - The gluten-free revolution in Paris - My French Life - Ma Vie Francaise - www.myfrenchlife.org.jpg

For the moment, you’ll find only the bobo crowd, expats or travelling visitors exploring the world of sans gluten, but ever so gradually they are staging an uprising in boulangeries and restaurants around France.

You never know, with French sweethearts such as Marion Cottilard opting for a gluten-free diet, the trend is sure to be adopted by even the most patriotic baguette eater.

Are you ready to take up your flag and fight for your gluten-free rights in the city of light? Join me on my gluten-free crusade around Paris.

Image Credits:
1. Baguette to Bistro, by Context Travel via flickr.
2
. sans gluten does exist here, by Paul Cone via flickr.
3. Boulangerie Runner, by Z.Bradley.
4. Sans Gluten, by Z.Bradley.

About the Contributor

Zoë Bradley

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10 Comments

  1. Sarah Harrison Feb 25, 2013 at 4:07 AM - Reply

    Hi Zoe – I’m in Paris at the moment hunting for sans gluten everywhere possible; it’s definitely easier in Melbourne 😉 My favourite thus far is NoGlu in the 10th. The fluffiest, nicest GF bread that I have ever had anywhere, let alone Paris. I must say that while the French are reasonably behind the global sans gluten movement, when they DO supply it, it’s pretty good. Thanks for your article!

  2. Zoë Bradley Feb 25, 2013 at 9:07 PM - Reply

    Hi Sarah, NoGlu is fantastic and their bread is truly delicious, I hope to write an article on it soon. Have you tried the bread at Helmut Newcake yet? It is the best thing since GF sliced bread! Thank you for your comment.

  3. Eduardo Corezola May 15, 2013 at 12:39 PM - Reply

    Hi Zoe! My wife and I are planing our 1st trip to Paris this year, probably in december…
    My wife has celiac disease and we loved yours tips! I will be here reading your texts to prepare our trip.
    Thank you
    Edu & Andi

    • Zoë Bradley Jun 27, 2013 at 9:41 PM - Reply

      Hi Eduardo, I am so glad that my articles could be of use to you. All the best for your trip. Zoë

  4. Alyssa Linn Palmer Jun 15, 2013 at 11:47 PM - Reply

    When I was in Paris last month, I found that the Naturalia store had a good supply of GF bread, crackers, and cereals. And I never really had a problem in restaurants as the majority had a number of dishes I could eat without getting sick. (compared to when I was in the UK, and in some restaurants all but one or two dishes had gluten.)

    • Zoë Bradley Jun 27, 2013 at 9:45 PM - Reply

      Hi Alyssa, Naturalia is a life-saver. I was there most weeks to pick up the essentials. I’m so glad to hear that you had such success in restaurants, I was always so terrified of contamination with those bread baskets. Thanks for reading, Zoë.

  5. Emily Guernsey Jun 27, 2013 at 2:31 AM - Reply

    Hi Zoë. I stumbled upon this article doing some gluten free research! I’m studying in Grenoble right now gluten free, and it’s not horrifying, but it’s a study abroad… so a lot of things are taken care of by other people. But I’m applying to teach english over here next year (yikes!!), and have been wondering if I would survive a school year gluten free in France. (I’ve cheated once or twice here… and regretted it, and can’t have that happen again simply because of lack of alternatives!) It is so reassuring to find people like you making it work and living life to the fullest! Thank you giving me support without even realizing it 🙂 I’m still fairly new to gluten free AND the real world, so every article like this helps. Would you say Paris is likely the most progressive place in France in terms of gluten free, or is that an unfair assumption?

    • Zoë Bradley Jun 27, 2013 at 9:50 PM - Reply

      Hi Emily, teaching in Paris – how exciting! I have no doubts that you will survive. I lived in Paris two years, and never went hungry. The rest of France is catching up, but Paris is definitely the most progressive with places such as Helmut Newcake and Biosphere Café popping up more and more. Thank you so much for your comment, I wish you all the best for your Parisian, gluten-free ventures. Zoë.

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