Coping with diet restrictions in Paris

Paris is known around the world for the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre and all of its museums and galleries.  But it is also for many the place where some of the finest food and drink can be consumed.  But what do you do for, and how does Paris deal with, people who either for medical reasons or as a matter of choice can't or won't immerse themselves in the wonderful and rich foods of France's capital city.

Sign in Helmut New Cakes

If you are a vegetarian, you may be scorned, but you can get by. The French are, by their very nature, carnivores but they also have wonderful vegetables and sensational cheeses.  Most restaurants have elegant salads although you may find yourself asking that the ham or bacon frequently included be withheld. There are even a few (shock, horror) vegetarian restaurants to be found in Paris these days.

But nowhere in Paris have we seen a menu which, like our favourite Hobart restaurant, marks items as GF for gluten free or V for vegetarian, etc. But even here, Paris is beginning to recognize that there is a market for those with special dietary needs.  There are now two chains of stores, "Naturalia" and "Bio" which carry organic products as well as those required by people on special diets (e.g. gluten free, lactose free and diabetic).

Organic Shops

But having said this, we discovered something pretty special.  Searching on line we found a bakery, Helmut New Cake, which produces all gluten free products.

The shop is in the 10th arrondissement, quite a distance from where we are staying, but we ventured over there this afternoon and found an extremely elegant tea-room with all of its beautiful products gluten free. 

Helmut's Pastries

The shop also sells a range of other gluten free goods. We bought a couple of the delicious cakes, brought them home, and after dinner tonight tried hard to fault them but could not.

Our "Samples"

Well done Helmut New Cake and thanks for catering for those needing a gluten free diet.