My sister and I will be traveling in France (most likely Paris, Brittany, and Normandy) in May. We both eat meat but we're not huge carnivores. I would love to get some recommendations of restaurants of all price ranges that offer vegetarian options (not just a vegetable plate!).

Just about every bistro, brasserie, café, and restaurant I've ever been in in France has a good selection of items that would appeal to a vegetarian,especially one who sometimes eats meat and isn't going to get into whether there's chicken stock in a soup broth or who's looking for a tofu burger.

It just won't be an issue.

Thanks. We definitely don't have an issue with meat broth, and I'll never say no to a good burger. I haven't been there since 1998 and I seem to recall sometimes being overwhelmed by the meat-centered menus and having my cooking preferences ignored. I suppose I also had a less adventurous palate.

Mellen, Mellen, Mellen, that's just not right.

As a veggie, I have to tell you that it's flippin' difficult to get vegetarian food in the South west in particular, and in France generally, unless you think ham, chicken, duck or fish is vegetarian!!

It's very easy to get good salads- with meat or fish; and you can usually get them to take the meat off, but they do have a habit of forgetting the lardons.

Most places, even the most basic will do you a plain or cheese omelette.

Beyond that, it's just not easy, and they do NOT like being asked to mess with the Menu, although it can be done.

In Brittany and Normandy you will get masses of fish options; and in Brittany you have the ubiquitous galette.

I know there's a book on vegetarian France, but I cannot remember what it's called. I'll see if I can track it down.

I agree with your comments about the SW. I spent a week there last spring with a vegetarian friend (not a drop of chicken broth will pass those lips) and she had her share of cheese omelettes (she will eat the egg--and the cheese--but not the chicken!)

But the OP is not going to that region and does not seem to be too strict so I do not think she will have trouble finding good things to eat.