A Joyful Vegan's Guide to Paris

Part of a special Vegan Travel series featuring travel tips, restaurant recommendations, and plant-based discoveries from around the globe

This is the next installment in my Vegan Travel series, which began with A Joyful Vegan’s Guide to Japan (and will also continue to expand). Now, I’m thrilled to bring you along to la belle Paris. From buttery vegan croissants and cozy bistros to world-renowned monuments and quiet corners filled with history, this guide is for anyone who wants to experience the magic of Paris—joyfully, ethically, and deliciously.

Crêpe from Potager de Charlotte, opera cake and tart from Land & Monkeys, decadent dessert from Daimant Faubourg

We’re back in Paris, this time to kick off our all-inclusive vegan trip in the Dordogne region of France (more on that later), but while spending time in this beautiful city, I wanted to offer some thoughts on where to eat, what to see, and how to make the most of it!

My first trip to Paris was in 1997. I was in my 20s, vegetarian, and it was my first time out of the U.S. I lived on Nutella crêpes, omelets, croissants, and baguettes with cheese. Fast forward to 2015—I’d been vegan for 16 years—and there were only a handful of vegan options.

But today, as I write this in 2025? Vegan has exploded! It's an entirely different city for travelers who want all of the heart and none of the harm.

Some General Tips

1. Know a Little French

In general, it really helps to know a bit of French if you’re traveling in France. At the very least, learn how to say "Bonjour" (hello) and "Bonsoir" (good evening). Walking into a store, restaurant, pharmacy, or hotel—it's considered polite to begin with a greeting. Not doing so can come across as rude, even if unintentionally.

When it comes to navigating Paris as a vegan—especially if you don’t speak much French—it helps to know a few words and phrases. Certainly, learn how to say “Je suis végan(e)” (I’m vegan), but even if you're traveling in an English-speaking country, I think it’s even more helpful to know the words for the animal products you want to avoid—as well as some words for the plant-based foods and beverages you want to enjoy. For instance:

• "Je ne mange pas de..." — I don’t eat... (or just say "non"…)

  • viande (meat) — vee-ond

  • lait (milk) — leh

  • œufs (eggs) — uh (rhymes with “duh,” very soft)

  • poisson (fish) — pwah-sohn

  • fromage (cheese) — froh-mahzh

  • beurre (butter) — burr (with rounded lips, like a soft “uhr”)

  • crème (cream) — krem

• Sans...s’il vous plaît (Without...please) — Sahn...seel voo pleh

• C’est fait avec des produits d’origine animale ? (Is it made with animal products?) — Say feh ah-veck day pro-dwee doh-ree-zheen ah-nee-mal?

• Avec du lait d’avoine, s’il vous plaît (With oat milk, please) — Ah-veck doo leh dah-vwahn, seel voo pleh

• Avez-vous du lait végétal ? (Do you have plant-based milk?) — Ah-vay voo doo leh vay-zhay-tal?

Use Google Translate if you're struggling or want to double-check pronunciation.

2. A Vegan-Friendly Neighborhood: Le Marais

One of the best areas for vegan dining and boutique shopping is Le Marais. It’s a mix of trendy and historical; it reminds me of Trastevere in Rome, the West Village in NYC, or the Mission in San Francisco. You’ll find Medieval, winding, cobblestone streets and everything you could possibly need right outside your door: bars, restaurants, boulangeries, chic and funky shops, art galleries, and museums. It’s within walking distance of iconic sites like the Louvre, the Seine, and Notre Dame; it’s also the home of several favorite vegan shops and restaurants. (See below.)

3. Baguettes Are Always Suitable for Vegans

Traditional French baguettes are made with just four ingredients: flour, water, salt, and yeast. In fact, it's the law—specifically the French Bread Decree of 1993—which requires that a "baguette de tradition" contain only these ingredients, with no additives or preservatives. That means no animal-derived butter, milk, or eggs. While it’s always wise to double-check anything labeled as artisanal or flavored, the classic baguette de tradition is reliably plant-based.

Okay, let’s get into some specific favorites.

(Upgrade to paid to follow this journey in France—from Paris to Dordogne, from Bordeaux to Brittany and lots in between!)