Top 10 Gluten Free Things to Eat & Drink in France

Bordeaux Palais de la Bourse in Bordeaux, France

When I was traveling through France friends asked, "How are you eating gluten free in France?!?" I simply replied "Fine and deliciously!" Although I was in the land of baguettes, there were many things to enjoy gluten free. Check out my top gluten free picks in France.

Macaron from a pastry shop in St. Emilion

Macarons

These little morsels of goodness are just the right amount of sweet and have a texture of a real pastry. They're made with almond flour, making them safe for Celiacs. Enjoy one without feeling like you're missing out as your travel buddies chow down on their gluten-y pastries.

Duck with plum sauce. Make sure to ask if the sauce is "sans gluten" (gluten free)

Duck 

Duck can be found on almost every restaurant menu in France. Ducks popularity in France is the equivalent of finding chicken on every USA menu. Beware of sauces though! Many are made with a roux (flour). The duck was usually so exquisite and moist, you really didn't need a sauce. 

Browsing the cheese section at a small French grocery store.

Cheese

Say cheese! You'll be smiling from ear to ear when enjoying French cheese. My absolute favorite was the goat cheese. I was hesitant at first to try it, but my friend suggested it and it turned out to be the BEST cheese I have ever had. It's not like the goat cheese you get in the United States. This was sweet, creamy, and tasted like heaven. Enjoy it with a glass of wine and gluten free bread.

Wine tasting at a Chateau in St. Emilion

Wine

French wine is spectacular. When dining at restaurants, I noticed every single table was enjoying wine with their meal. So do as the French do, shamelessly enjoy wine at all your meals. If time permits, I highly recommend visiting a French vineyard for wine history and a tasting. 

Seafood at a market in Bordeaux

Seafood

If you find yourself along the coasts of France, enjoy some seafood. In Arcachon I enjoyed a home cooked meal of tender octopus which was picked up at a market that day. In Sete, there are a slew of seafood restaurants to choose from, with plenty of oysters to indulge in. 

Pan fried foie gras with sauteed veggies

Foie Gras

This controversial luxury food item is made from fattened duck or goose liver. It is rich, buttery, and absolutely decadent. It can be enjoyed sautéed or pan-fried, which gives it a delicious crusty outer layer and soft inside. It can also be enjoyed as a pâté or mousse, which is typically eaten with bread. I ate it sans bread if I didn't have gluten free bread available. 

Buckwheat crepes, also known as galette, with Nutella and whipped cream

"Crepes"

Wait, whaaatt? How? Well there are places that serve galette, a crepe made from 100% buckwheat, meaning it's 100% gluten free! Traditionally galette are stuffed and topped with savory ingredients, such as ham and eggs. I asked to have mine drenched in Nutella and topped with a mountain of homemade whipped cream.

A variation of the cappuccino I enjoyed from a coffee stall in Bordeaux

Coffee 

There is nothing like European coffee and French coffee is just as good as the rest of Europe. French coffee will warm your soul and make you not want to order Starbucks ever again. The best part of enjoying coffee in France is sitting at the cafe outside with a friend, or even by yourself, watching the French people walk by as they go about their day. 

Chocolate mousse whipped to perfection

Chocolate Mousse

This rich, creamy dessert is the perfect way to conclude your meals. Made with chocolate (duh), eggs, and cream, these three simple ingredients are whisked into its perfect airy and fluffy texture for a delicious melt in your mouth experience. 

Escargot served the typical way

Escargot 

No French cuisine list would be complete without including escargot (pronounced es-kar-goh). It's snails smothered in butter and garlic. It may sound weird and gross, but it is delicious and a must try at least once. 

This isn't the exhaustive list of all the items I indulged in while visiting France, but these were my top picks. What gluten free eats did you enjoy the most in France? 

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