annetti

Is it possible to eat out in France and not be blasted by cigarette smoke? I read somewhere that there were new anti-smoking regulations? Is that true and are they enforced? It's been 3 years since our last visit to France when we found the second hand smoke everywhere a bit annoying. Has anything changed?

m_kingdom2

Smoke is part of the character of France, everyone in Paris smokes - inhaling some for a week won't kill you. It's not so annoying, if it is, you can't do much about it if everyone else is there and smoking.

No new regulations at all!

AnneO

On our trip 2 years ago, the smoke was so bad that it will be our last trip to Paris. It wasn't so pervasive in Austria and Venice, so we could get around it, but it was everywhere in Paris, so I've struck it off my list of places to go. Not worth it to be sick for a week! I was unable to find any places that had no smoking sections, much less no smoking rooms. MK is right..it is part of the culture, and it doesn't look like its going to change anytime soon, so you just have to decide if it is worth it for you.

Anne

CarolA

While there are no new regulations I did find that there seems to be less smoking then I had experienced a few years ago.

However, if you find second hand smoke annoying Europe may not be the best destination for you.

I did notice that if you ate very early, it was only the Americans and they don't tend to smoke as much at the resturant.

epi

I too hate smoke, but you do have to adjust in Europe. However I have noticed a decrease in smoking in Paris. There are some restaurants in Paris which have no-smoking sections. I think there may even be a book which lists these. One we like is Au Gourmet de l'isle on Ile St Louis. There are definitely others. I think some of the brasseries have no smoking sections. Maybe that would be a good question to post : can you list restaurants in Paris/France with no smoking sections?
I also agree that eating earlier avoids some smoke, and eating outside can help also - assuming you are traveling in warm weather.

StCirq

Message: There are at least a few non-smoking restaurants in Paris. Le Florimond, one of my favorites, is one of them.

Underhill

We too have noticed a decrease in smoking, not just in Paris but in Provence. There are now some actual no-smoking areas in restaurants that are enforced and some restaurants that don't allow smoking at all; others have separate rooms for the smokers, such as Le Soufflé. Museum cafés and dining rooms are also good choices.

The smoking ban on the TGV may be a sign of the times; the government's anti-smoking emphasis appears to be bearing at least some fruit. But forget about the cafés; there you need to sit outside.

Underhill

Here's a link to a bonjourparis.com article on the subject:

http://www.bonjourparis.com/pages/ar...?articleId=306

mikemo

Wishful thinking - Avoid Paris!!

Gavin

I hate second hand smoke as much as anybody but was not smoked out once in one week stay in Paris in April. It simply requires careful selection of the restaurant. Going early and eating outside are two good strategies. Some restaurants do have no smoking sections.

We had one amusing incident with respect to smoking. While looking for a place for lunch we spotted an almost full restaurant in which nobody was smoking. Towards the end of our meal an English woman at the neighbouring table lit up. Drat, but we had had a good run. She asks for an ashtray...reapeatedly. When the ash became almost imposibly long she got her wish. The moment she extinguished the ashtray was removed. There were no "no smoking" signs but no ashtrays either. Obviously they operate on the take a hint plan.

bardo

Yes, it is possible. More restaurants will now have a few non-smoking tables off in a corner, near the bathrooms, or by the kitchen - away from the other diners. These areas are playfully refered to as "American alcoves".

annetti

Thanks everyone for the above suggestions. An aside--why when I ask questions about France, everyone assume I'm going to Paris? As it turns out we won't be spending even an hour in Paris. We're flying into Lyon and are spending 5 weeks in that part of the country. I suppose I should have been specific when I asked about no smoking possibilities. Anyway, at the risk of sounding rude, and I mean no disrespect to all the helpful people who answered my question, there is more to France than Paris. Now, that I have clarified my question, will I be able to find non-smoking restaurants in Lyon, Provence, Burgundy and the French Alps? Can anyone name some places with no smoking sections. Thanks again for all the help.

laverendrye

Having just returned from three weeks in France and eating out quite a bit, I must say that I noticed a huge decrease in smoking in restaurants from previous visits. At home I've become used to smoking bans for some time, but was hardly ever bothered on this trip by second-hand smoke. In fact, I don't think I once sniffed the heady aroma of a Gitane or Gauloise! Mind you, I spent all the time in the provinces. Paris may not yet have changed.

annetti

Thanks, that sounds encouraging to me!

Underhill

Here's an extensive list for you. If you Google on "non-smoking restaurants in France" you'll find quite a lot of information on the topic.

http://www.smokefreeworld.com/france.shtml

mebanese

Good news, everyone. McDonald's in Paris has a no smoking section!

WhistlerAl

We spent the month of May in France, and the smoking was hard to take, as was the amount of exhaust spewing from every other vehicle.
We didn't choose our reataurants by their nonsmoking policy, but managed to eat poison free about a third of the time.
We had a (somewhat) amusing incident at LaTasse in Lyon.This restaurant was highly recommended, and we looked forward to a great meal. However, there are two dining areas, one that was full and one empty. We were seated in the full room, right between two tables full of smokers. My wife made the mistake of asking to be moved. I should mention that the empty area was right next to the other, so it wasn't a problem for the waiter. But we were treated to the worst service, and food of our trip. The waiter actually made a point of dribbling wine on the table every time he refilled our glass. I'm sure he told the chef that they would teach us a lesson for asking to be moved. Moral of the story...never piss off a French waiter. The rest of our trip was absolutely amazing, with the only exception being one bad night in Nice.
If you are going to St. Remy, try La Maison Jaune. It was one of our favorites. We ate there twice, both meals were fabulous, and I believe it was nonsmoking.

annetti

Thank you Underhill for that great web site. There were 5 non-smoking places listed in Lyon and a number in Provence and other regions. I recognize the name of a vegetarian restaurant
that was recommended in an earlier query . It's nice to know the vegetarian place is non-smoking. (We've actually eaten in vegetarian restaurants surrounded by smokers!) Thanks again!

annetti

WhistlerAl, Thanks for that little insight on waiters. We'll try not to make that mistake about getting the "perfect" table. I wonder sometimes that some of us try too hard not to be obnoxious when traveling outside the US, and that we put up with behavior that we would not tolerate at home. I seldom complain at restaurants, not very assertive I suppose, just don't return, but in a case like what you describe, there should be some way of letting your displeasure be known. You can't do it with a tip, since it is included. I suppose you have done it in a way, by posting it here. I will avoid the place. We are staying in St. Remy so we will certainly try La Maison Jaune. I've already added it to my note section in my Michelin Green Guide. Thank you.

tpl

I have to disagree with some of the previous posters -- we travel frequently to Paris from SF and have noticed a huge change over the past few years. We visited last month and had a wonderful time. Not smoke-free, but much, much better. And, no, we weren't just frequenting 'American' restaurants (my family lives in Paris). Also, the no-smoking sections were better-located than they have been in the past -- not next to the restrooms or the kitchen. And we certainly didn't notice any rude behavior on the part of waitstaff.