Paris City Guide, Sans Gluten
A couple months ago, my best friend and I embarked on a short, two-day trip to Paris. We had been visiting another one of our friends in London and decided to take the two-hour train under the English Channel and head to The City of Light. It was a whirlwind to try and squeeze everything in and we definitely did not succeed in doing so (fine, I’ll just have to go back!), but Paris lived up to my expectations and was everything I dreamt it would be and more! That being said, a girl needs her break from croissants and cheese sometimes. (Not that eating gluten and dairy for every meal is a problem because the gluten in Europe is different, right?) Regardless, I made a valiant effort to try some healthier spots. However, I’m not saying I held back from salted caramel macarons. Those nuggets straight from Heaven get free passes for life, no matter what.Check out some of the (mostly food) spots on my guide and I assure you, you will fall in love with Paris -- and its food -- just as I did.
STAY:
Stay in the Le Marais area. It’s away from the hustle and bustle of the 7th Arrondissement, i.e., the overcrowded tourist areas. We rented an Airbnb and loved how quiet and residential it was while still having sights sprinkled throughout (like the Picasso Museum and Centre Pompidou). Also, the abundance of vintage shops and cafes on every corner is a definite Parisian perk.
EAT:
Glow on the Go! -- The sister spot to our favorite Parisian yoga studio, Ici Self Care, Glow on the Go! puts LA and New York’s matcha bars to shame. Stop by for a beautiful superfood latte and pick up some sheek natural beauty products while you’re at it.Miznon -- Say hello to the freshest lamb you have every had in your life. Miznon is an Israeli eatery in the Jewish quarter of the Marais. It’s around the corner from the super popular L’ais du Falafel (which has a line like a new Supreme collection is about to drop) but trust me, opt out of the wait and try Miznon instead. Go with their most popular option: the lamb pita and the whole roasted cauliflower.
BigLove -- This Italian eatery was a recommendation from one of my Parisian friends and is one of many Big Mamma Group restaurants in the city. It’s small, cozy and overflowing with locals. The pasta dishes are small but delish, and their gluten-free pizza with truffles is literally mouth watering.
Chambelland Boulangerie -- A little off the beaten path, but well worth the trek (especially if you have Celiac disease or are gluten intolerant), this organic bakery basically has every freshly baked Parisian pastry you could ever dream of. From their bread to their cakes and cookies, you will not leave disappointed (or with that plasticy taste that often comes with gluten-free treats).
Wild and the Moon -- Ah, a taste of home! I scarfed down an acai bowl in sub-zero temps and it was totally worth it. If we pretended I lived in Paris for a moment (humor me) I would cozy up in one of the tables in the back and nosh all day on organic, vegan and gluten-free treats.
DO:
Centre Pompidou -- You really can not miss the enormous, futuristic, industrial exterior of the Centre Pompidou. It doubles as a public library, so enter from the plaza entrance to access the museum. It houses mostly modern art and is even home to a (very) chic restaurant with a killer view of the city.
Musée D’Orsay -- Le Musée D’orsay is an old train station converted to a museum right on the banks of the Seine. The art in the museum is largely French art from 1848 to 1914 and includes works from Cézanne, Renoir and Van Gogh. The art is beautiful, the architecture beautiful, the food beautiful, everything is beautiful in Paris… have I mentioned that yet?
