Enjoy a cruelty-free taste of France, from impressive pâtisserie to delicate crêpes, all crafted without animal products, with these classic French vegan recipes
French cuisine traditionally includes a considerable amount of meat, butter, cream and eggs. This makes France a little more hesitant to embrace the vegan lifestyle, given how renowned it is for its food.
After all, when one thinks of French food, it is often the meaty beef bourguignon, steak frites, and coq au vin that springs to mind!
Accidentally French vegan dishes are often few and far between, although notably the baguette is vegan-friendly. However, the French often pair this option with meat and cheese which is not ideal for anyone eating a plant-based diet.
Despite this, when it comes to making classic French recipes vegan, it is easy to substitute recipes with vegan-friendly options. French markets are ideal for finding an abundant selection of fresh fruit and veg to supply these delicious recipes, and you can find lots of inspiration online for meal ideas.
So, if you don’t have a trip to France planned anytime soon, we’re here to inspire you with vegan versions of the French classics.
Veganism in France
It hasn’t been an easy ride for French veganism. Although now suspended, the French government issued a decree in February 2024, banning specific ‘meaty words’ to market plant-based products.
Animal activists in Paris were also vandalising butchers’ shops in a dramatic statement in 2018/191. This has caused the word “vegan” to have a lot more negative associations in France, and has provided a challenge for those who do not use violence to promote the vegan lifestyle.
While it still proves a somewhat uphill battle for French veganism, the vegan movement is increasingly making a headway in France. ONA, the first vegan restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star, was found here. Although, it admittedly closed two years after this award.
An even more exciting development: in Lyon, you can find a plentiful supply of vegan pastries. This allows a visit to France without missing out on the decadent pain au chocolats and croissants.
Paris also has many vegan restaurant options, which can be discovered using the Happy Cow app. France did have its own version of Happy Cow, VegOresto, which unfortunately shut down in early July 2024.
Whilst this is a disappointment for avid vegan travellers to France, VegOresto Pro continues to support veganism in France, partnering with chefs to provide training and catering options for growing plant-based menu options in restaurants.
Vegan French recipes
With layers of crisp puff pastry which sandwiches a delicious cream filling, lemon mille-feuille is a French pastry adorned with fresh berries on its top. A perfect option for a refreshing summer treat, this dessert is light and flaky and will go down a treat at your next dinner party.
This vegan lemon mille-feuille recipe is easy to make using pre-made vegan puff pastry – just check that it is made with oil and not butter when buying.
A vegan twist on this French classic, this mushroom bourguignon is a staple for winter evenings.
Mushrooms serve as a just as hearty base for this traditionally beef dish, providing a ‘meaty’ feel whilst being vegan-friendly. Served in a red-wine sauce, it makes for a comforting dish filled with veggies and chestnuts.
Originating from Normandy, brioche is a historically very buttery bread which is extremely indulgent and has a subtle sweetness.
This recipe retains the characteristically soft texture of the bread, but without the eggs, butter and milk. As an added bonus, this loaf makes for an exceptional vegan French toast or side for other French dishes.
A savoury breakfast option, these oat crêpes swap flour for oats to make them not only vegan but also gluten free.
This classic French vegan recipe could easily be adapted to be topped with whatever takes your fancy, but the avocado and mushrooms create a filling, nutritious breakfast option leaving you ready to take on the day ahead.
Impress your friends with this vegan quiche Lorraine, just as delightfully thick and creamy as a regular quiche.
A summer favourite made deliciously vegan, this French vegan recipe creates a homemade, flaky pastry surrounding a rich, vegan cheese and bacon filling.
Macarons are a famous French delicacy that many enjoy around the world thanks to their soft centres and sweet almond flavour.
By pairing the increasingly popular matcha flavour with this well-loved French sweet treat, this recipe yields a delicious Japanese-style macaron that has a crisp exterior and a delectably creamy centre.
This vegan terrine is a stunning dish that is made to impress. The bright red beetroot colour makes for a gorgeous centrepiece as a showstopper at the dinner table, just as tasty as it looks.
With a smooth, vegan cheesy centre, this dish is paired well with a crusty bread to smother on a thick layer of creamy beetroot goodness.
This vegan crème brûlée is just as divine as its dairy-packed counterpart. Silken tofu is the perfect alternative for many dairy products when baking, and it gives this French dessert an incredibly soft finish.
Who says being vegan means having to miss out on the French culinary classics?
A rich, traditional French dish, this cassoulet is wonderfully flavoursome, using fennel to accentuate its hearty combination of vegetables and beans.
This dish is bursting with healthy ingredients, pairing nicely with a crusty baguette for a satisfyingly healthy meal.
This classic French dessert pairs a thick lemon custard layer with tangy fruits and an apricot glaze, encased by a vegan homemade pastry.
You can customise it to your liking by decorating with whatever fruits you have to hand.
Pithivier is a pie-type dish, made with puff pastry, named after the French town in which it originated from which can either be sweet or savoury. This vegan recipe uses pre-made pastry which is most often accidentally vegan – just check the labels.
However, Jus-Rol is often a safe bet in the supermarkets. Enjoyed either hot or cold, this French vegan recipe is very versatile, using squash and sage to create an aromatic savoury dish.
French toast makes for a delightful brunch option especially when the sweetened bread is garnished with poached strawberries and lashings of maple syrup.
This dish captures the essence of traditional French toast by replacing the egg mixture with a mix of soy milk and gram flour, sweetened with nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla.
The caramelised onion in this dish gives it a delectable sweetness, pairing perfectly with the savoury pastry.
The tarte tatin pastries are flipped upside down upon serving to reveal their caramelised tops. Using a Yorkshire pudding tray is an easy trick to help the tarte tatin keep its shape.
These crowd-pleasing tartes are then served with a freshly flavoured Mediterranean potato salad alongside.
Replacing fish with King oyster mushrooms allows you to create an impressive, ‘meaty,’ scallop-like dish that tastes as good as it looks.
Perfect as a decadent starter for a dinner party, these ‘scallops’ are paired with a refreshing pea puree.
Dating back to the 18th century, madeleines are a classic little French cake with a distinctive shell shape. Infused with fresh lemon, these vegan madeleines are a twist on the original vanilla recipe with a refreshingly zesty tang.
Dipped in dark chocolate and topped with crumbled pistachios for an extra crunch, these vegan madeleines are the perfect accompaniment to a shot of espresso.
A French shortbread, named for its crumbly, sandy texture. These delicate biscuits are made by a process of rubbing cold butter into flour and sugar, or alternatively place the ingredients in a food processor for a faster preparation time. With fruity dried raspberries and zesty lime, they’re dipped in dark chocolate for even more indulgence.
This twist on the traditional French sable biscuits makes for a deliciously extravagant that will go down a treat with friends and family, or a cup of tea!
What’s France known for if not for its deliciously flaky, buttery pastries? Whilst this may seem hard to recreate for a plant-based diet, these vegan chocolate hazelnut croissants are surprisingly easy to make, and just as moreish as the real deal!
We use a pre-made vegan puff pastry which makes bringing the French delicacies into the comfort of your own home the easiest it’s ever been. You’ll get that perfect, flaky exterior on your croissant every time with this method.
Another plant-based pithivier recipe, this time brimming with sun-dried tomatoes and artichokes. Encased in golden, crispy pastry, the filling is light and summery and ideal for a quick lunchtime dish.
Filled with apricot and a delightfully sweet frangipane, these vegan frangipane tarts wouldn’t look out of place in a Parisian bakery.
However, they’re actually simple to make as they used pre-made pastry from the shop, making the preparation so much faster than homemaking the pastry, but tasting just as good!
These broccoli and chive puff pots are a savoury soufflé dish that puffs up in the oven with a light and fluffy texture, and a crumb topping that’s bursting with flavour.
The broccoli pairs wonderfully with the chive, creating a divine dish perfect for a dinner party.
A banoffee-flavoured version of this timeless dessert, this French classic is made vegan by replacing eggs and cream with soya milk and vegan custard powder.
It’s topped with a torched caramelised sugar coating, making for a delicious crunchy top hiding a velvety soft banoffee custard beneath.
Looking for more ways to include lentils in your diet? Check out these wholesome vegan lentil recipes.
Featured photo © Rhythm 108