France Vegan Guide: 5 Best Cities to Visit

Arguably the food capital of the world, for years France has been lacking for us herbivores, and calling this great country vegan-friendly would be far from accurate.

But fear not, la revolution is upon us, and this time, there are no guillotines in sight.

Times have changed and there’s never been a better moment to explore this beautiful country as a vegan, as someone who wants to savor flaky croissants and stinky cheeses without causing harm to our planet and the wonderful creatures that call it home.

So, welcome to the vegan uprising! Join me on a gastronomic adventure as I invite you to explore five of the most vegan-friendly cities in France, five cities packed full of rich history and culture, each one far more than just the food on offer (but let’s be honest, that’s why you’re really here).

Berets at the ready and baguettes under our arms, let’s start pedaling towards my favorite vegan-friendly cities in France!

The Most Vegan-Friendly Cities to Visit in France

Lyon

If you’d have told me that Lyon would become one of my favorite places to eat as a vegan in Europe, a city famous for serving meats covered in rich dairy-based sauces, I would have smiled and politely moved the conversation on. Yet on my most recent visit, something clicked, and I realized you may have been right all along.

What I found wasn’t a sad side salad and a plate of fries hidden away at the bottom of a menu. Instead, it was a city confidently reinventing itself, a city full of chefs busy reworking classic Lyonnais flavors into plant-based dishes rooted in tradition, but bravely new and forward-thinking.

Vegan quenelles was the dish that surprised me the most. The fish, eggs, cream, and butter it’s usually made with were nowhere to be seen, but it was just as full of umami and comfort as you’d imagine. A Salad Lyonnaise enjoyed on a crisp, sunny autumn afternoon, made with earthy local lentils and walnuts, perfectly captured the spirit of the region. Simple, clean, and made with love

Wander around Croix-Rousse, full of street art, color and student energy that shapes the food scene, from inventive vegan bouchon dishes to brilliant Asian restaurants influenced by the city’s Korean and Japanese communities. Then explore the Old Town’s hidden traboules, enjoy a plant-based feast, to feel history and progress in every bite. Lyon is a must for any vegan travelers with France on their agenda.

Must Visit Vegan Restaurants in Lyon

• Like An Elephant
• Enracinés

Toulouse

The first thing that strikes you when you land in Toulouse isn’t only the bright buildings and stunning architecture (although that pink brick really does glow at sunset), it’s a unique feeling of warmth, Mediterranean calm that would sell for millions if it could be bottled.

But besides being absolutely beautiful, the vegan food scene in Toulouse is great too. Local chefs have started revisiting traditional dishes using plant-based ingredients, meaning regional specialties are back on the menu. Vegan Cassoulet, a Toulouse classic traditionally made with beans and meat, rocked my world. If you only eat one thing when you’re in the city, make sure it’s that.

The Mediterranean influence in the city also plays a big role, and explains a lot too, many dishes are accidentally vegan or at least halfway there. Chickpeas, vegetables, and olive-oil are key ingredients that pop up again and again. Panisse-style fritters and tapas-style plates fit naturally into the local food landscape. The best place to find these meals is at small, community-minded cafés, and student-run spots that put care into how they cook and source ingredients.

If you want an easy, genuine, and grounded trip then Toulouse is a fantastic option. The city is full of independent theaters, experimental art spaces, and little galleries sitting quietly between everyday streets as the pink brick buildings soften everything around them. There’s just so much to do, as well as an exciting mix of innovative and regional vegan cooking that can be found in both vegan and non-vegan restaurants alike, and gentle Mediterranean flavors that will never leave you hungry.

Must Visit Vegan Restaurants in Toulouse

• Bloomy Rive Gauche
• Le Canithé

Nice

Nestled beside the turquoise Mediterranean Sea as the perfect coastline snakes down from Italy to Spain, air salty and breeze fresh, everything seems to slow down when you arrive in Nice. It’s a city that lives outdoors, and the food reflects that. Fresh vegetables, olive-oil, beans, and bright herbs show up everywhere you look. And for a place so well-known for seafood, it turns out you do not need it at all.

Meander through Old Town and you’ll see markets spill out into narrow streets, locals chatting over morning espresso, and the sounds of the waves are never too far away. It didn’t take long to find my first socca, a thin chickpea pancake originally from Italy, cooked until the edges turn crisp and blistered. It’s best eaten hot, ideally under some shade as you watch the world go by, and it will become one of those things you crave long after you’ve got home.

It’s great to see that so many fully-vegan spots have opened up in recent years, and lots of traditional restaurants also label their vegan dishes clearly, so you’ll have plenty of options. Smoothie bowls near the beach, generous salads full of Mediterranean flavors, burgers, and even ice-cream covered desserts to cool you down on a hot day.

Between chill beach days and slow walks through the city, the relaxed pace of life, and a food culture that already leans toward vegetables, Nice is one of the easiest vegan destinations in France. It’s sunny, welcoming, and somewhere you’ll inevitably say, “we could live here”.

Must Visit Vegan Restaurants in Nice

• Paper Plane
• Amour Patisserie Vegetale

Marseille

With one of the biggest ports in Europe and a reputation for being a little rough, industrial, and chaotic, you may be curious as to why Marseille has made it onto this list. Parts of that may be true, it is most definitely a working city filled with real stories and real edges, but what I didn’t expect was how beautiful it really is. Full of color, culture, and a vibrant energy that shapes its food.

You feel that exciting mix of people immediately. Marseille has French roots, North African influences, and Mediterranean flavors woven into everyday life. And that brings me to Mariposas, a gorgeous restaurant that I found myself in almost every night during my trip. Just like the melting pot that the city is, Mariposas reflects exactly that, with veganized dishes from across the world that should not be missed. I’ll never forget the raw zucchini cannelloni with mushrooms, delicate and utterly delightful, my attempts to recreate it at home always fall short.

But just as memorable as the food are the adventures, you’ll have exploring this vast city. Walk around Le Panier, the oldest district, and you’ll find pastel buildings alongside bold street art, and narrow alleys opening suddenly to sea views. The Old Port is lively at all hours, but follow the locals down to the Calanques, and you’ll find cliffs that drop into aqua-blue water as everything slows down.

Marseille might not be polished, but that is exactly what makes it special. It’s bold, diverse, and effortlessly flavorful. And for vegan travelers, it offers far more than its reputation suggests.

Must Visit Vegan Restaurants in Marseille

• Mariposas
• Mauvaise Herbe

Paris

A top five list of cities in France, vegan or not, could never be complete without Paris. The city has a habit of living up to every cliché you’ve ever heard, then surprising you with something completely different the minute you think you’ve figured it out.

Recently, I’ve come to realize just how far ahead Paris is when it comes to plant-based eating compared to the rest of the country, which as you know by now, isn’t doing badly. It wasn’t always like this, but now, you can eat like a Parisian without missing anything at all.

Breakfast might be a good place to start, as there’s no guilt in unashamedly living up to all the stereotypes now, we’re in the capital. Walking into a vegan pâtisserie, smelling the freshly ground coffee, and seeing rows upon rows of vegan croissants, pains au chocolat, and glossy fruit tarts feels like you’ve stumbled into heaven. Land & Monkeys does it as well as anyone else on the planet, thank me later.

Paris also does a brilliant job weaving creativity into its food scene. You’ll find global flavors from Vietnam, Ethiopia, Japan, North Africa, and far beyond. But don’t forget the French classics too. At fine establishments such as Le Potager du Marais, you can enjoy a delectable bourguignon that’s rich and completely comforting, French onion soup, and even chocolate mousse.

Then beyond the food, Paris is simply a joy to wander. Museums, bookstores, river paths, hidden courtyards, and of course that big triangle thing in all the pictures. As vegan travelers, we never have to compromise, and our options are endless. Paris gives you us romance, the culture, the food, and so much more.

Must Visit Vegan Restaurants in Paris

• Le Potager du Marais
• Land&Monkeys
• Check out this article with even more amazing vegan restaurants in Paris

Vegan Travel Planning in France

But with so many amazing options it can be difficult to know where to start. How can I fit all of these cities into one trip? How will I get from one place to another? When I’m not feasting on vegan delights, what sights should not be missed?

That’s where Veggies Abroad is here to help. They’ve traveled around the world, and back, eating vegan every step of the way. With their expert travel planning experience, they can help you plan your French adventure of a lifetime, packed full of vegan croissants and Mediterranean sunsets. Tailored specifically for you, planned with care and confidence.

So, is it Vive La France?

And keep an eye out for more city-specific blogs coming soon, as we dive even deeper into the best vegan-friendly cities in France. I can’t wait to see you there!