This B&B is no longer open, but the same team have gone on to open a very popular Café in the Bastille area. See http://veganparis.com/2012/08/02/gentle-gourmet-cafe/
Over the last year and a half, a new establishment has emerged as one of the best places to eat vegan in Paris. But you can not only eat there… you can sleep there too if you like! It’s The Gentle Gourmet, a B&B and restaurant situated in an art deco building in the 16th arrondissement between the Arc de Triomphe and the Bois de Boulogne.
I have been longing to go there ever since I first heard about it, and even more so after reading the ecstatic review from our friends over at VG-Zone. Gentle Gourmet has two rooms for rent, which are vegan to even the smallest detail such as the stuffing of the pillows.
In addition they offer a unique dining experience where you share a communal table with local vegans and travelers and share pleasant conversation. Frankly most of my conversation would be along the lines of “Oh my god can you believe this amazing food.” – the menu changes monthly but here is a sample from their site.
* Savory zucchini and pecan madeleines , with miniature cups of 7-onions soup
* Salad of watercress, walnuts, beets, endive, green apple, dried cranberries
* Crushed nut-breaded Seitan filets with a dark walnut sauce with wild mushrooms accompanied by a pumpkin gratin with garlic and Italian parsley
* Poached figs in white wine syrup with vegan hazelnut ice cream accompanied by caramel and hazelnut-thin cookies.
Their dinner prices are:
- Saturdays: €50 4-course gourmet meal
- Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays: €30 3-course “bistro” meal.
That price includes your wine, so if you are not a drinker, you’ll get a discount. They strive to have 100% organic food.
If you can’t make dinner, then why not try brunch? It’s €25 and frankly it is difficult for me to paste in their description knowing that I am several thousand miles away from being able to enjoy it each Sunday, but here it is.
* French toast with pineapple and pecan with agave syrup
* Porridge with cardamom and amaranth, and compote of dried plums and pears
* Vegan sweet potato hash with soy sausage
* Muffins (corn, spicy apple, chocolate) and banana breads, whole-grain breads cereals, vegan croissant
* Fresh fruits and compotes
* Nut Butters – soy, almond, walnut and peanut
* Smoothies and freshly pressed fruit juices
* Spicy Vegan Hot Chocolate, coffee and teas
Their site has information in both French and English about their rooms, their vegan cooking courses, picnic lunches, tours and the other amazing contributions they are making to vegan life in Paris.
I can’t wait to stay there on my next trip back to Paris!
The Gentle Gourmet B&B
21, rue Duret
75116
Metro: Argentine (line 1)
33(0)1 45 00 46 55
Thank you so much for your website and the wonderful information that you share with us.
I used to live in Paris for many years but back then I was not vegetarian.
Now I return time to time as a tourist and the first time I went back in 2007 I felt quite lost at first as a vegetarian.
Then I gradually discovered the nice things that you can buy at the health food stores…
Sometimes when I come back to North America I miss all the amazing vegetarian options that France has to offer.
Gentle gourmet’s menu looks absolutely amazing.
Take care,
Radha
Thanks for this blog, I have been vegan for 4 years and I’m going to Paris (from Australia) later in the year. Can’t wait to try this place!
That all sounds so good and the best part is that it is vegan…in Paris!
Hi Emily,
I’ve just moved to Paris, googled “Vegan Paris” and of course came up with your wonderful blog. I look forward to trying out your recommended restaurants. However, I’m finding it really hard to find good vegan SLS/Paraben free beauty products. And hair conditioner seems to be an entire mystery to the French! In the US I use Avalon, Jason and Giovanni. In the UK I use Green People, and in Australia/New Zealand I use Sukin. So far in Paris I’ve found Weleda (which I’m not that keen on) and nothing else… and that’s after searching Naturalia and the Bio Coop. HELP! Do you have any recommendations?
I can’t say enough good about the Gentle Gourmet. They are amazing individuals dedicated to providing a vegan experience. Their food is amazing, their hospitality is amazing, and their guided tours are amazing. We spent “A Day with Monet” with them on a tour in April and we had a time I will never forget. Only Monet’s art surpassed the picnic on a green Normandy field on a perfect Spring day…I am definitely going to be a return guest.
I doubt that Weleda would be the only option in Paris. Hair conditioning a mystery to the French?
Honestly. Paris is the capital of cosmetics and believe me they know about hair conditioning. It is called Apres Shampoing there.
Also there is a brand called Melvita. Have you tried them?
You can order Green people on Ebay and have it shipped to France.
Last time I was in Paris I saw that Sephora on the Champs-Elysees carries the Say yes to products. Some of their products contain Honey extract but not all of them.
You can check it out. They have some nice otpions.
http://www.yestocarrots.com/category/body-moisturizers?category_id=0000008
Good luck and enjoy your stay in Paris