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B1French·20 cards

Eating Vegetarian in France

Order meat-free in a traditional bistro, spot hidden lardons and chicken stock, and handle a dinner invitation as a vegetarian.

French cooking leans heavily on meat, and dishes that look meat-free often hide lardons, chicken stock or gelatine, so it pays to ask. Many French people still count fish as vegetarian, so say clearly that you eat neither meat nor fish. Vegetarian and vegan options are spreading fast in cities, and school canteens now have to serve at least one vegetarian menu a week, but in a traditional bistro or at a family dinner, warn your host politely in advance.

Fresh tagliatelle with vegetables served in a warm French bistro setting.
Photo: Ludovic Delot on Pexels
  1. 1

    Je suis végétarien.

    I'm vegetarian.

  2. 2

    Je ne mange ni viande ni poisson.

    I don't eat meat or fish.

  3. 3

    Vous avez un plat végétarien ?

    Do you have a vegetarian dish?

  4. 4

    Est-ce qu'il y a de la viande dans ce plat ?

    Is there any meat in this dish?

  5. 5

    Vous pourriez le faire sans lardons ?

    Could you make it without bacon?

  6. 6

    La soupe est faite avec du bouillon de volaille ?

    Is the soup made with chicken stock?

  7. 7

    Je suis végane, donc pas de produits laitiers ni d'œufs.

    I'm vegan, so no dairy or eggs.

  8. 8

    Non, le poisson, ce n'est pas végétarien.

    No, fish isn't vegetarian.

  9. 9

    Il y a de la gélatine dedans ?

    Is there gelatine in it?

  10. 10

    Je peux remplacer la viande par des légumes ?

    Can I swap the meat for vegetables?

  11. 11

    C'est pour des raisons éthiques.

    It's for ethical reasons.

  12. 12

    Je suis végétarien depuis dix ans.

    I've been vegetarian for ten years.

  13. 13

    Ne vous inquiétez pas, je mangerai les accompagnements.

    Don't worry, I'll eat the side dishes.

  14. 14

    Je ne veux pas vous compliquer la vie.

    I don't want to make things difficult for you.

  15. 15

    C'est délicieux, c'est à base de quoi ?

    It's delicious, what's it made with?

  16. 16

    C'est à base de lentilles et de pois chiches.

    It's made with lentils and chickpeas.

  17. 17

    Vous mangez du fromage ?

    Do you eat cheese?

  18. 18

    J'essaie de manger moins de viande.

    I try to eat less meat.

  19. 19

    De plus en plus de restaurants proposent des options véganes.

    More and more restaurants offer vegan options.

  20. 20

    Je suis flexitarien.

    I'm a flexitarian.