‘Take a back-up sandwich’ – How easy is it to find gluten-free food in France?

Travelling in France with a gluten intolerance or coeliac disease can be challenging, but how easy is it to find gluten-free food in the country?

We asked the readers of The Local to share their thoughts and advice, from navigating supermarkets to finding gluten-free bakeries and eating safely in restaurants.

In recent years, French grocery stores have started offering more sans gluten options on their shelves.

Michelle Murray from North Carolina said that the organic grocery store “Naturalia is your best friend if you are cooking or needing snacks”. In fact, many organic stores across the country, including Biocoop, Bio c’est bon and La Vie Claire, offer gluten-free products.

But if you don’t have access to one of these organic stores, Andrea, 66, from Saint-Jean-de-Luz in southwest France’s Basque Country, recommended “choosing your products carefully at the supermarket. Read the labels for ingredients.”

Chris, 49, also highlighted the importance of knowing “how to read food labels in supermarkets – know the vocab for gluten free and as well as packaging symbols and where to find allergen information. Learn a few reliable brands too, like Schar. Focus on real food (fruit & veg, meat, cheese, etc.) which is both better and more abundant than is often the case in the US.”

Some more mainstream grocery stores also offer gluten free products “all large supermarkets have shelf space dedicated to a limited range of GF products ‘produits sans gluten‘ including bread, pasta, cakes, crackers, cookies etc”, said Grégoire Barrowcliff, 75, who has lived in France for over 30 years.

However, some readers feel the choice remains limited. Beverly, who lives in Saône-et-Loire and has coeliac disease, said that “compared to the UK, Spain and Italy, French supermarkets have very limited choices.”

Finding gluten-free bread in France

Bread is, of course, a staple of French food culture. But can you find gluten-free bread in French bakeries?

A few of our readers recommended Copains, a gluten-free bakery chain with locations in Paris, Bordeaux and Lyon. There’s also Chambelland, which sells gluten-free bread in the capital.

Tina, who lives in Paris, suggested always asking about pain de maïs (bread made with corn, not to be confused with cornbread). “Ask bakeries selling pain de maïs to look at the ingredients because they are not all 100 percent with corn. And the people behind the counters of some ordinary bakeries don’t always know if they contain gluten or not.”

Michelle added: “Paris and Lyon have amazing gluten free bakeries and in tourist areas in general, it is common to run into GF baked goods at a coffee shop. Antibes has gluten free cafés and is very gluten free friendly in general.”

You can also find bread in some supermarkets, like the ones mentioned above, Bella suggested that “for sliced bread Leclerc’s own brand is very good”.

France may still have some way to go, but gluten-free options are increasing. In 2025, for example, some French residents were able to have a gluten-free version of the traditional galette des rois reimbursed through the state health system.

Finding restaurants with gluten free options

When it comes to eating at restaurants, things can become more complicated, as dedicated gluten-free restaurants remain relatively rare in France.

Chris recommended using the app “Find Me Gluten Free” to find suitable restaurants. He also said to “be careful with sauces and cross contamination in restaurants, particularly if you have coeliac.”

Michelle suggested: “Research online in advance of a visit to a restaurant and don’t search solely for gluten free restaurants or you will miss many that do have options and are happy to accommodate you.

“Indian, Lebanese, and Thai restaurants are also good choices as many items are naturally gluten free.”

Clare also suggested doing a bit of research and calling in advance to be “safe and also make sure that you’re not asking the impossible – for example if it’s especially a gluten-filled restaurant (like a small pizzeria) then don’t assume they can magic up something gluten free last minute.”

“Typically nowadays restaurants (other than fast food) are attuned to the increasing demand, and will either flag a couple of dishes on the menu as GF, or ask the kitchen to cook such and such a dish without gluten if possible,” said Grégoire.

Andrea suggested: “Eat out at quality restaurants, talk with the maitre d’ or your server about recommendations for which items to order. Review menu items in advance. If all else fails, always have some gluten free pain de mie and a jar of peanut butter handy so you can bring/ eat a back up sandwich if needed”.

Dhem said: “I was diagnosed as a coeliac over thirty years ago when there weren’t many GF options and the ones that were tasted terrible. I got used to asking restaurants whether a dish would be safe and if I could mix the meat from one dish with the vegetables from another so I could eat it.

“I eat regularly in our village bar tabac where the menu is only two or three different options per day, many French cuisine staples include only meat, dairy and vegetables so is often easier than you’d think.”

But not all people with coeliac have the same experience, finding a dish that is technically gluten-free is not necessarily enough. Hidden sources of gluten can also be a concern.

“I have coeliac disease and some restaurants can tell me what menu items contain gluten. However many do not understand cross contamination and fail to identify hidden gluten like soy sauce. For some reason many believe I cannot have lactose as well as gluten. It is difficult to eat out in France,” said Beverly.

Bella also has a less positive experience when eating out. “It is very difficult! I have to admit to saving my eating out across the border in Spain where I find it is taken more seriously. That said, places like Au Bureau (a French chain inspired by London pubs) do have an allergen guide for its menu though this is not haute cuisine.”

Dhem shared that what can make it difficult is having to ask “it’s rarely flagged on menus, the information is less readily available and I have on occasion had to list items that would be a no go (though that was several years ago). When I was less confident in my French I had phrases and food lists I might need saved in a note on my phone so it was easily to hand and could show the server if needed.”

Don’t be afraid to ask your waiter about a dish and insist on knowing the ingredients of menu items, in most cases they will be happy to offer the best option for you.