Any experience of France as a coeliac?

[Whydothis]

I have been a very enthusiastic "twinner" for very many years, and I am currently Chair of our local twinning club - but I have not yet been on a visit to France since my diagnosis as coeliac. We are due to go to France for a week in August 2021 (assuming Covid allows) but I am nervous enough about eating in "normal" people's homes here, and going to stay in the home of someone I hardly know, in France, is frightening me! I cannot imagine how I can communicate the danger of cross-contamination, and keep myself safe, without coming over as incredibly rude and demanding.

Does anyone have any experience of visiting France as a coeliac, or any knowledge of attitudes to a strict GF diet? So far I get the impression that CD is less common in France (or less recognised) and so I think there could be enormous problems.

I need to decide whether I am going in the next couple of months, so I can resign as Chair, and give someone else chance to get into the job before they need to lead the group and make speeches on the visit!

Any advice would be very welcome.

[Hidden]

No experience with France, but found Spain very good, Italy reasonably good. I'm assuming your main bind in staying in someone else's home, which, to be fair, is a nightmare in UK also. I've watched a friend chop tomatoes on a chopping board with normal bread crumbs on it, and still expect me to eat them after years of her knowing I have coeliac. It really comes down to the individual you are staying with - some people are great with adjustments for others, others not so much. There is a French coeliac society, so perhaps a conversation with them (assuming they have english speaking capacity, or your French is good) to help navigate some of the basics. I find the French quite forthright in putting their own wishes/requirements forward, so they seem quite familiar with people doing similar, so you might be ok,

[Whydothis in reply to Hidden]

You are right - it is staying in a home that worries me more than eating out. Your example of the tomatoes feels familiar! I have English friends who try to help by advising me that I shouldn't let my diet rule/spoil my social life, which shows how little they understand, and if I can't get it over to them, where do I start in my second language, with people I have just met, without being rude?! My French is good enough for everyday conversation, but this feels more challenging. Getting in touch with the French coeliac organisation is a very good idea - thank you. I will act on it.

[Hidden in reply to Whydothis]

Good luck. Let us know how you get on.

[Whydothis in reply to Hidden]

Will do - thank you

[Penel]

Hi Whydothis

I’ve been travelling to France for many years, pre- and post- diagnosis.

It’s a lovely country with wonderful fresh food and it is quite possible to eat gluten free, but it can be difficult at times. Over the last few years things like gluten-free breads etc have arrived in major supermarkets in major towns.

As you have said, CD is not well recognised in France, unfortunately often regarded as a ‘fad’. Although it is probably still easier to eat as a Coeliac than a vegetarian! But any good quality restaurant will be able to accommodate you (although they may may mutter about it).

I have found that traditional family meals in France are usually naturally gluten free, as they tend to be made with fresh single ingredients. Bread will be put on the table separately. But if you do not know the families you may be staying with, I can see why you would be worried.

There are various sites with coeliac travel cards, that explain about dietary requirements in detail. You could perhaps give these to your hosts?

glutenfreeglobetrotter.com/...

Coeliac uk also have some info.

coeliac.org.uk/document-lib...

[Whydothis in reply to Penel]

I too have been going to France, including staying with long-standing friends and with twinning hosts for very many years (at least 30) and I agree - they do have excellent fresh, real food which I have always loved. In a family situation though, I find that sauces are more likely to be made with wheat flour than cornflour, and fruit tarts are often bought or made for deserts. I can see myself posing a huge problem to my hosts, as well as a danger to myself from kitchen contamination.My worries started this time last year, when some French friends came to stay with me, and they found my insistence on separate toasters and butter dishes "incroyable"! If they find it that difficult to understand, people who don't know me will find it even more difficult !

If I do decide I can go this summer, I will send the info card in advance, and ask that it be given to my hosts and to any restaurants and caterers the group uses - so thank you for the link.

I certainly won't ever stop going to France, it is just the twinning situation I am unhappy about!

[Penel in reply to Whydothis]

I hope you can get there this year!

[Whydothis in reply to Penel]

PS - the site you have linked to has better cards than I have seen before - thank you!

[cathie]

France is very well equipped with organic food shops including a chain whose name I’ve forgotten. So providing your hosts are aware I’d be fairly confident of a visit once we’ve kicked covid.

[Whydothis in reply to cathie]

Thank you Cathie - but organic and gluten free are two different things! I used to shop in a lovely little organic shop near home, but they have almost nothing I can eat now.

[cathie]

Our organic coop has lots of gfree products- a real lifesaver. I didn’t mean to equate the two

[Whydothis in reply to cathie]

That sounds like a brilliant shop then! Ours has gone in for lots of bulk supplies so you weigh them out into your own boxes, but that means there is flour and dust around, so not safe! Also, they don't stock GF oats (although I have had to stop eating even GF oats now) or GF buckwheat flour or pasta - so hopeless!With this in mind, I was concerned about your reply as you had said you were new to gluten free - sorry to misunderstand.

[cathie]

We’re obviously very lucky. That sort of dusty atmosphere isn’t great in so many ways.