Self-catering, especially for vegans, is a very popular way to travel in France. Not only does it provide for a much cheaper meal than eating out in an expensive French restaurant, but picnicking often comes with gorgeous views and fascinating people-watching.
And let’s be honest: more often than not, the vegan options at French restaurants — if indeed they have any! — are not that great. They’re more likely to be boring salads, tomato sauce pasta or pizza-with-no-cheese. You’re not going to starve, but neither will any of this get you excited for your next meal.
The idea, when traveling, is often to be able to sample the local cuisine, and this is where self-catering can help. We’re not exactly talking about making a soufflé here, but it’s entirely possible to try local products and dishes, including perhaps some of the best plant-based cheese on the planet!
The good news here is that France just happens to have quite a decent number of 100% vegan grocery stores, and even more non-vegan stores are choosing to stock vegan products. The list grows every day.
So pack some utensils, napkins and plates, find a cute town square or a spot on a Mediterranean beach, and head over to one of the following grocery stores (“épicerie”, in French), to stock up for that perfect self-catered French meal!
The State Of Vegan Food in France Today
On a recent visit to France, we went to a local hypermarket in Bayeux and we were blown away at just how many vegan options there were: vegan meats, deli slices and even a few brands of cheese. If you don’t know Bayeux, it’s a small touristy town in the north of France, so definitely not vegan-central. The fact that the supermarket here had any vegan products at all was a definite eye-opener and proof that France is definitely trending the right way.
Tips for Shopping at Vegan Stores When Traveling
We recommend you get a small cool bag (see picture below) and a couple of ice bricks and stock up in one of the bigger cities when you arrive. You’re more likely to find a good selection of vegan items here. You’ll be aiming to get the necessary ingredients for sandwiches, a wonderful picnics or perhaps a nice vegan spread at your gites or Airbnb. Even if there is not one close to your cute French village you are staying in, with a little bit of planning you can have sandwich avec du jambon et du fromage vegan style.
If you’re out and about for the day, whether sightseeing in town or hiking around the countryside, assembling your lunch before you go makes it a lot easier.
Cheeses like vegan camembert can actually get very stinky (just like their dairy counterparts) in just a couple of days, even with efforts to keep them cool. So eat those ones quickly.
The List
Below you’ll find a list of ALL the vegan grocery stores in France as well as shops where you can stock up on shampoo, soaps and all the items you will need for traveling in France. France has amazing products and we wholeheartedly recommend you try and support these incredible shops who are really helping to make veganism more accessible in what is still a very proud meat-eating culture. You will see that they are categorized into the different regions of France, so scroll down to the region you are visiting and take note!
- Central Paris
- Northern France (Lille)
- Normandy & Brittany (Rouen, Brest, Rennes)
- La Loire (Nantes)
- Southwestern France (Bordeaux, Toulouse, Dordogne, Bayonne)
- Alsace (Strasbourg, Mulhouse)
- French Alps (Annecy, Buis-les-Baronnies)
- Provence (Marseille, Nice)
