<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

A while ago I posted a message asking for help planning a gluten-free trip
to Paris. I received many wonderful suggestions. Thank you to all of you
who offered advice.  Your guidance has lifted my confidence - I know this
trip will be great!  For those of you who would like this same advice, I
put together a summary of the responses I received.

Thank you to all of you who contributed to this summary.  It is much
appreciated!

Helpful Tips to GF Living in Paris:

1) It is important to bring along some of your own GF food, for both the
plane and while in Paris.  Most airlines claim to offer GF food, but many
do not.  Play it safe with your own snacks.  If you bring a note from your
doctor, you should have no problem bringing your own food in to the
country.(GF biscuits/granola bars will be helpful for breakfast)

2) Sometimes smaller bed and breakfast type places will allow you to do
your own cooking.  Also, you may be able to get to know your cook, and
he/she can cook GF meals for you! Call hotels/B&B's in advance to find out.

3) Shop at the local street markets or supermarkets.  The food is fresh,
and delicious. You can buy fresh fruit, veggies, meat, potatoes, macaroons,
rice cakes, sesame crackers, the best cheeses, cafe au lait and cafe creme,
and French chocolate, and be confident the food is safe.

4) All restaurants in Paris must post their menus outside.  Many will post
their menus in English.

5) When entering a Restaurant, always be cordial to the waiters/waitresses.
Always greet with "Bonjour".  Most waiters/waitresses will speak English,
and will be helpful to you if you are cordial to them.

6) Present your translated "GF restaurant card" to the waiter.(available in
the book "Against the Grain", by Jax Peters Lowell) Almost all
waiters/waitresses will be able to tell you the ingredients in all of their
food.  And in France, most restaurant food is natural, not processed.  So
you can be pretty confident that you will get a GF meal if you prep your
waiter.(Also, they don't use flour in most of their sauces)

7) Foods you can feel confident eating in Paris restaurants: Fresh fruit,
veggies, rice, meat, potatoes, fresh salads.  Omelets are great for
breakfast.  Poullet Frites(roasted chicken and fries), Pave du Boeuf/Pave
du Rhumsteak(steak, potato, and veggie) are safe foods to order in
cafes/restaurants.

8) If you go to a pharmacy or supermarket, you will be able find special GF
food.  These are located all over town, and they have plenty of food for us
to eat.  Look for "Sans Gluten", or "Exempte de Gliadine" on packages.
Rumor has it that most supermarkets have at least 1 aisle of GF food
available. Special health food stores called "magasins de regime" carry GF
goods as well.

I hope this information helps those of who are also planning trips abroad.
If any of you have any other questions, please email me and I will help you
the best I can.

Thanks,
Mike