<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Thanks for the responses I received. They were very helpful, especially for the recent foot and mouth outbreak, I'll really be careful what I bring. Here is the summary: ********************************************************************** 'I imagine you can get info about allowed items, amounts, and possible duties by calling any of the French embassies and consulates in the U.S. Also check the web: http://www.ambafrance-us.org/ If you click down in the travel link you'll find a selection for "customs". But customs is the least of your problem: If you've been reading the news, you'll know that there are serious current scares for BSE (Mad Cow Disease) and especially, Foot and Mouth disease. At present the disease is causing serious travel restrictions in Britain (where there are numerous scattered outbreaks). There has been only a single outbreak so far in France (and none elsewhere on the continent) but border immigration of every European country (plus the USA and nearly everyone else) is under a state of high alert, carefully inspecting all foods and even non-food articles (e.g. shoes and clothes) that have recently been near livestock, or even zoos. In other words, expect for the remainder of this year at least to have a much higher level of inspection of your baggaage and all the food items in it, and greater than usual difficulty in bringing in anything that even resembles an animal product. I suppose that you will be able to bring in commercial non-animal items such as breads and grains, but it would be good to discuss with the French consulate. Fortunately, awareness of celiac is reputed to be a lot higher in Europe, so perhaps you can find someone at the consulate who will at least understand your problem. It might be really good if you could get a letter from them to present to the customs inspectors endorsing your problem and asking that non-problematic items be allowed to the extent possible. (It is a legitimate business of embassies to help and encourage tourism, so they should be willing to help you in whatever way they can.) But be prepaared for unfortunate surprises at immigration, and have a backup plan for obtaining local food.' ********************************************************************** 'I have flown into France many times, and am always amazed at how the customs people are almost invisible. No one ever wants to look at my bags or ask me anything. Now that I am celiac I have carted all manner of mixes and items in ziploc bags....like GFPantry cake mix products. They simply cant be bothered. So, dont worry about it. The worst could happen is it would be confiscated, but believe me, you will be able to buy anything there that you really need. If you have a friend there that can translate you wont have any trouble. Go, enjoy, and eat what you can get! It'll be wonderful.' ************************************************************************** 'About your food, if you are not bringing in any meats, or fresh fruits or vegetables you shouldn't have any problem. The French have wonderful bakeries that the only thing I could buy and eat from them was this meringue puffy thing that is very sweet. It's made of egg whites and sugar and may have almonds on the top. They also have macaroons, but I didn't find any in the Normandie area. Rice is easy to get as well as potatoes. So if your bread runs out those are the alternatives.' **************************************************************************** 'I was in Paris over New Years, and I had no problems whatsoever. I always traveled with a card explaining celiac disease in French, and I was almost always able to find someone who spoke English. Also, most health food stores will carry GF food. French food doesn't have the additives and preservatives of American food, so you will find that France can be heaven for celiacs. It is tough to say no to the baked goods, but there is so much you can eat that you forget about it. I had more problems on the plane ride than actually in Paris! Also, you can bring in any packaged good to France. As long as it isn't meat or fresh fruits and veggies you are OK. I was in Paris over New Years, and I had no problems whatsoever. I always traveled with a card explaining celiac disease in French, and I was almost always able to find someone who spoke English. Also, most health food stores will carry GF food. French food doesn't have the additives and preservatives of American food, so you will find that France can be heaven for celiacs. It is tough to say no to the baked goods, but there is so much you can eat that you forget about it. I had more problems on the plane ride than actually in Paris! Also, you can bring in any packaged good to France. As long as it isn't meat or fresh fruits and veggies you are OK.'