Letters: Vegetarian options are too limited in France

To the Editor:

I have been a vegetarian for 50 years, half of which have been in France, and I am afraid I wince every time I come across the attitude demonstrated by Sandra Hall’s online letter. 

A little more research and fact-checking is highly recommended. When plant-based agriculture is compared to the relative value, efficiency and cost of rearing animals, the benefits of a non-meat diet are incontrovertible. 

Read more: Comment – France's obsession with eating dead animals must end

Four times the amount of land is needed to provide the same nutritional benefit as plant agriculture. 

The real cruelty is in the intensive farming methods employed to put cheap meat on the table in France is no different from other European countries.

I consider myself lucky to be able to choose what I eat, albeit I agree that it is not easy to eat out in France. 

If only there could be more non-meat options, but unfortunately, away from the cities, restaurant food generally follows a traditionally quite restricted interpretation.

I do not judge meat-eaters, rather “live and let live”. How about each to his own?

Brian Plews, by email

Read more: French veggie brand renames steaks ‘stêques’ to bypass new laws

To the Editor,

I could never be a vegetarian, enjoying meat and fish far too much. However I must comment that, given the incredible choice of quality vegetables in France, I am frequently disappointed by the paucity of vegetables used and the lack of imagination in their presentation on restaurant dishes.

I also feel someone has a perfect right to choose to avoid meat and fish and should be able to have a choice of interesting dishes when dining out, not be condemned to cooking at home! 

My experience of French restaurant desserts is disappointing too. They seem very limited, again with little use of the wonderful fruits readily available.

In conclusion, although I very much enjoy eating out here living in France, I think it should no longer be considered as having the best cuisine in the world. Many countries offer great gastronomic experiences. 

Peter Davis, by email

Read more: Letters: Readers spar over French 'obsession' with meat

To the Editor,

All I would ask as a meat eater would be for French chefs to end their antipathy towards customers who, like myself, like steak, beef and other dark meat to be cooked well done (bien cuit).

I am paying for and eating it so surely I am entitled to have it cooked the way I have told the waiter/waitress when they asked me “How do you like it cooked?”.

Steve Foley, by email

What is your experience of being a vegetarian in France? Share your views at letters@connexionfrance.com