Gluten-Free Paris: Croissants, Cafés, and a Slow Travel Story
- Rowena Mynott
- Jan 17
- 5 min read
Before our bags were packed, croissants were unsurprisingly already part of our Paris story. At home, my daughter’s latest obsession with these flaky pastries had been fuelled by her grandfather’s weekly deliveries from their local bakery — each golden, buttery crescent a small celebration of the weekend. The idea of visiting Paris, the city synonymous with bread, pastry, and all things buttery, was thrilling — but there was also a layer of concern. Paris lives and breathes its boulangeries, however, my son and I are both gluten-intolerant, and the thought of us missing out on Parisian pastries whilst watching my daughter and husband tuck into continental delights felt almost cruel.
Determined not to let dietary restrictions dampen our experience, I began researching cafés and bakeries offering gluten-free options. The preparation was almost as exciting as the trip itself. I mapped out locations, cross-referencing them with the big attractions, parks, and other sights. Each day of our itinerary was structured around these discoveries, a deliberate balance between sightseeing and indulgence. By the time we arrived, I was armed with a plan full of adventure and excitement of a luxury culinary experience.
Our first stop was Chambelland, a small patisserie tucked down a quiet street in Rue Ternaux, not far from our Air BnB. It was the perfect first stop on our gluten-free itinerary. Inside, the air was fragrant with coffee and pastry, it was an experience for all the senses. My sons eyes widened as we stood in line to order, he gazed hungrily over the layers of cakes in the display window, deliberating over which delicacy to go for. In the end he chose a simple donut whilst i opted for a mini lemon meringue tart. The first bite was revelatory: crisp, tart, creamy and entirely satisfying. For a brief moment, this simple experience that most get to experience without a secong thought, felt effortless.
Chambelland
43 Rue Brochant & 14 Rue Ternaux, Paris
Over the following days, visiting cafés became part of the rhythm of our trip. My favourite gluten-free café, Copains, near the Seine, was like an art gallery - beautifully decorated pastries with artisan crafted breads and cakes everywhere we turned. More donuts, lichee and raspberry tarts and banoffee pies - scrumptious. Customers here were leaving with bag fulls of delights and plenty of locals coming in to stock up on gluten-free breads. The staff were particularly helpful here, one staff member allocated to each customer who came in, making it a truly individual experience.
Copains
60 Rue Tiquetonne, Paris
The planning paid off, but not every day went perfectly. We didn’t stumble across a gluten-free boulangerie by chance, which meant we occasionally walked past displays of golden, buttery pastries we couldn’t eat. We learned to adapt gracefully, taking a moment to savor the atmosphere before moving on. In fact, these minor setbacks highlighted the cafés that could accommodate us, making each successful find even more rewarding.
One of the surprises of our trip was discovering how well-stocked Parisian supermarkets are with gluten-free products. From breads and crackers to ready-made desserts, the selection far exceeded our expectations, offering both convenience and reassurance — especially on days when we were sightseeing outside the café-heavy areas. A quick stop at a local supermarket could yield everything from gluten-free baguettes to sweet treats, allowing us to picnic in parks or along the Seine without compromising on taste.
During my research, I had discovered that La Manufacture de Sans Gluten, an unassuming bakery near Montmartre, was the place to go for authentic gluten-free baguettes. It was surprising that we hadn’t come across them in any previous cafés, as a freshly baked baguette was exactly what we had been hoping for. Sadly, when we arrived, they had sold out and weren’t baking again that day. We did, however, find some delicious pasties — a small consolation, and especially poignant for someone living in Devon, where the aroma of a traditional pasty drifts from every little town. With no seats available, we took our pasties to go, along with a little sweet treat — a pain au chocolat — and continued our wandering through the city.
La Manufacture de Sans Gluten
2 Rue Androuet, 75018, Paris
Traveling gluten-free in Paris also brought unexpected benefits. Structuring our days around cafés gave us the chance to explore less obvious streets and neighborhoods, rather than rushing from one major tourist site to the next. We lingered in small squares, watched local life unfold, and discovered corners of the city that might have gone unnoticed otherwise. These moments of unhurried observation became as memorable as the pastries themselves. Without our gluten-free adventure guiding us, we might have missed little gems such as the Wall of Love in Place des Abbesses, Montmartre — a striking mural created by two artists, featuring 312 ways to say “I love you” in languages from around the world.
The one gluten-free restaurant we stumbled upon by accident, Tasca, was a charming pizza place with a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower. The moment we arrived, the owner welcomed us warmly, clearly accustomed to accommodating dietary needs, which immediately put us at ease. We settled at a table outside, feeling more local than tourist as we gazed upon the tower framed by charming Parisian architecture.
The pizzas themselves were excellent — perfectly crisp bases, fresh toppings, and the kind of rich, bubbling cheese that makes you savour every bite. For a family navigating gluten-free travel, discovering a place like this where we could each pick whatever we fancied, and it felt wonderfully ordinary, in the best way.
Tasca
46 Av. de Suffren, 75015 Paris,
By the end of our trip, it was clear that traveling gluten-free had shaped our experience in a surprisingly positive way. The city’s famous pastries became more than just food — they were markers of exploration, shared joy, and the satisfaction of careful planning paying off. Each café, each indulgence reminded us that the true pleasure of travel lies not only in seeing iconic sights, but in savoring the quiet, sensory moments along the way. They are as much part of our core memories are as Notre Damme or Sacre Coeur.
Of course, dining gluten free in Paris does come with a financial burden. Each visit to a gluten free cafe quickly added up and we spent around 50 euros for 4 individual pastries. Compared to the glutinous variety, it was a considerable premium - a sad reminder of the penalties we pay for a medical condition. Despite the price though the experience was worth it. Neither of us had any reactions and the assurance of safe, delicious pastries and the joy of watching my son indulge in treats like any other teen was priceless. The experience became a little luxury each time rather than a quick snack, ensuring that we savoured each delicate, luxurious bite.
For anyone navigating dietary restrictions in Paris, these small victories are part of the city’s charm. With careful research, a bit of planning, and a willingness to explore beyond the obvious, gluten-free dining in Paris can be not just possible, but delightful. Paris is, after all, a city that rewards curiosity, patience, and a love of good food — regardless of dietary needs.
Eating gluten-free in Paris hadn’t been a limitation — it had shaped our days in unexpected ways, slowing us down, sending us off the beaten path, and showing us that travel is always sweeter when you can taste it fully.
A Few Tips For Eating Gluten-Free in Paris:
How to ask for GF in French: "Sans gluten, s’il vous plaît"
Bring with you: GF snacks for travel days or unknown menus
Take along a packed lunch - it's never a guarantee that there will be gluten free food available or even if they haven't sold out.
French supermarkets often have a gluten free section however it isn't signed as well as our ones in the UK are.
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