a tray of food and juice on a window sill in France while eating an egg free breakfast

What to Eat With An Egg Allergy in France | Egg Free Paris Tips and Meal Ideas

When you think of traveling to France, you probably imagine the Eiffel Tower, stunning shops, and delicious French cuisine. For those navigating an egg allergy in France, there definitely are unique challenges when planning where to eat and what meals you can indulge in with comfort. While it might seem daunting at first, you can still enjoy an egg free Paris adventure that you’ll never forget. In this blog post, you’ll learn how to best plan for and navigate your egg free France trip with tips and meal ideas from a fellow food allergy traveler.

Looking for more tips on traveling to France with food allergies? Check out my France food allergy posts over on my blog

 

Navigating an Egg Allergy in France

As with many destinations, eggs are a common ingredient in many breakfast dishes as well as in various soups, sauces, pastas, etc. However, there are still many options that you can enjoy egg free in Paris and other areas in France. It’s important to go into the trip with the expectation that eggs will be found in many kitchens, especially where breakfast dishes and pastries are made. It will require adequate planning, asking questions about food allergy and cross-contamination protocols, and careful menu selections, but it absolutely can be done. Always honor your comfort level, and when in doubt, don’t risk it. 

 

Tips For Planning An Egg Free Paris Trip

 

Do Your Research Ahead of Time

During the planning phase of your trip, take the time to research different restaurants to learn about their food allergy protocols, meal options, and how they can help you dine in while eating egg free in France. This will help you feel comfortable with the restaurants you choose and establish a baseline of understanding with chefs and staff. Plus, it can save you time and stress once you arrive, knowing exactly where you can eat and what you might order. Sometimes you may not hear back though, and that is why it is good to have a plan B just in case.

Go in with the expectation that it may be more difficult to find egg free items at breakfast. It’s a good idea to bring some of your own snacks and safe foods along with you, such as an egg free bread option that you can eat as a back-up option. 

 

Book An Accommodation With a Kitchen

Another tip for planning an egg free Paris trip is to book an accommodation with a kitchen or kitchenette. This will allow you to prepare some of your own meals (especially breakfast). Then, if you ever get in a pinch, you can always default to your accommodation to whip up a quick meal or snack with ingredients you packed. If you can’t find an accommodation with a kitchen or kitchenette, always contact your hotel ahead of time to ask about breakfast, lunch, or dinner options that are egg free or can be prepared with substitutions in case you need something to fall back on. 

 

Visit Restaurants At Non-Peak Times

The French typically eat their evening meal between 8-9pm, which is when many restaurants are at their busiest. In order to get the care and attention you need from staff and chefs and have the time to ask questions about your allergy concerns, aim to eat during non-peak hours, such as 6-8pm. If you can, make a reservation for a non-peak time to ensure you have a table saved and can ask about food allergy protocols and any needs you have. 

Carry a French Food Allergy Chef Card

Paris is a large city, therefore, it has many different types of cuisines to choose from, such as Italian, Thai, Mexican, and more. Every restaurant may handle food allergies differently, so always carry your food allergy chef card in French so you can communicate your egg allergy and specific needs clearly. I recommend grabbing a customizable Equal Eats Food Allergy Chef Card linked here on my website

Food Allergy Chef Cards

Learn How to Communicate Your Egg Allergy in France 

Beyond carrying a food allergy chef card in French, I also recommend learning a few key words/phrases to help you communicate your needs more thoroughly. This is also helpful for reading menus or food labels in grocery stores. 

 

Here are a few important phrases to learn when communicating an egg allergy in French:

  • Egg – Oeuf.
  • Egg free – sans oeufs.
  • May contain eggs – peut contenir des oeufs.
  • I am allergic to eggs – Je suis allergique aux oeufs.


Egg Free France Meal Ideas

With these tips and phrases in mind, let’s break down what a day of eating egg free in France might look like. 

 

Breakfast

As mentioned, egg items are popular in many breakfast dishes, whether that’s a hotel buffet, a sit down restaurant, or another breakfast cafe outside of your accommodation. If you’re staying at a hotel, call ahead of time to see if they can pull items from the back instead of eating off the buffet and make you a separate meal in a clean pan free from the cross-contamination of egg. Again, having an accommodation with a kitchen may be your best option with eggs being so widely used at breakfast. It’s up to you and your comfort level. 

Baguettes are typically an egg free nice bread option, but always double-check the risk of cross-contamination in the kitchen or on the table, as some may be served in a bread basket with croissants, which have egg wash. Crepes also have eggs, but you may be able to find vegan versions. Some vegan restaurants may also have egg free french toast, but always ask questions and double-check. 

Acai bowls, fresh fruit, and proteins like bacon can be good options as long as they are prepared separately and no cross-contamination occurs. 

Lunch

The French like to go all out for lunch, with a typical lunch consisting of various courses, such as: 

  • Appetizer (une entrée) – this may be a mixed salad, soup, terrine or pâté.
  • Main course (le plat principal) – your choice of beef, pork, chicken, or fish with potatoes, rice, pasta, and/or vegetables on the side.
  • Cheese course from a local selection and/or a sweet. 

French onion soup is a delicious option that typically doesn’t contain egg. However, egg yolks can be used as a thickening agent, so be sure to double-check on that. Pair this with an egg free side salad with egg free dressing for a tasty midday meal.

You can also get an egg free baguette along with cold meats and local cheese to make a sandwich. Add some fresh fruits and vegetables for a charcuterie-style picnic lunch under the Eiffel Tower. Just be sure all ingredients have not been cross-contaminated.

a group of oranges in a France market

Dinner

French dinners follow a similar set of courses as lunch. You can always call the restaurant to see what their courses are and if they can make egg free substitutions for you. 

Steak and fries is a popular dish that can be made egg free. Be cautious, as some restaurants top theirs with a fried egg, so always ask ahead of time. 

Grilled or pan-seared proteins such as chicken, fish, or duck are egg free nice dinner options. Pair it with rice and vegetables for a complete meal. Again, ask about the ingredients used in sauces and double-check for cross-contamination. 

Ratatouille, an iconic French dish made of vegetables, herbs, spices, and olive oil, is typically egg free. However, this is a dish that many restaurants like to customize and make their own using different vegetables, protein additions, etc. Always ask about their ingredients and cross-contamination risks. If they do custom versions, see if they can make you a version free of egg. 

Beef Bourguignon or Coq au Vin both are popular egg free French dinner items. These are both hearty stews with braised meat and vegetables cooked in butter and wine. Beef Bourguignon uses beef while Coq au Vin uses chicken. Always double-check the ingredients used and if the kitchen has protocols for cross-contamination. 

After dinner, you may be craving a sweet treat. Most pastries contain egg ingredients or a higher risk of cross-contamination, so dessert is trickier to navigate. However, you can find a simple sorbet, sorbet popsicle, or a vegan pastry shop if you’re comfortable with that.

 

Let’s Plan Your Egg Free France Adventure!

With all of these tips and meal ideas in mind, you’ll be able to plan and enjoy an egg free Paris vacation that you’ll never forget. If you’re looking for more personalized advice and planning assistance so you can feel comfortable and confident on your trip, visit my contact page to book a consultation and learn about full-service travel planning today!

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I'm Lauren!

Food Allergy Travel Agent + your advocate for a well-planned ( + delicious) vacation.

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lauren-scheffer-resources-for-traveling-with-food-allergies

I'm Lauren!

Food Allergy Travel Agent + your advocate for a well-planned ( + delicious) vacation.

explore by allergy

Food Allergy Chef Cards

Navigate eating out and communicating your food allergies.

Food Allergy Getaways Agency, Lauren Scheffer agent, and foodallergygetaways.com website are not providing health or medical advice.

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