Nine Things I Miss as an American Living in France

Much as I love living in France, there are things I miss. Having spent 60-plus years in the US, I took for granted many of the everyday items that simple don’t exist in France, and probably never will. In some cases, these things are available, but they are not the same, or they are not readily available unless you’re living in a major city.

Missing these American things, and finding ways to adapt around their absence is part of the experience of living in another country. I’m sure this list will be different for every expat. But here’s my nine things I enjoy, but cannot find in France — or at least not in my area.

1) Cupcakes

French bakeries and patisseries pride themselves on their traditional French pastries and cakes. While some bakeries have started to make large American-style cookies, I have yet to see a single cupcake. There are a few bakeries selling cupcakes in large cities like Nantes, Lyon and Paris. Not that I eat that many cupcakes, but sometimes I crave a bit of cake, but I don’t want to buy a whole cake, and you can guess why.

In the US, cupcakes are available in supermarkets, bakeries and stores that sell nothing but cupcakes. Maybe this will be the next trend. You also won’t easily find traditional layer cakes with buttercream icing. French cakes consist of multilayers of cake or puff pastry with crème, meringue, chocolate mousse, custard or ice cream between the layers.

2) Ready-made chicken soup

Chicken soup is my go-to, healing, comfort food when I have a cold. Whether it’s in a can, a carton, a plastic container or fresh and hot, you can always find chicken soup in an American grocery store. In France it doesn’t exist. I haven’t even found soupe de poulet in powdered form. You literally have to make it from scratch. And forget about finding chicken broth and throwing in a little roasted chicken and some vegetables. Boxes of organic, non-organic, low- or high-sodium broth do not exist. Nor will you find vegetable or beef broth. Although there are chicken bouillon cubes and sometimes low-sodium ones. But if you want fresh chicken broth, you need to make it yourself and freeze it, so it’s readily available for the next time you catch a bug.

3) Frozen yogurt, aka froyo

Frozen yogurt is not a thing in France. There are no frozen yogurt shops near me and I’ve yet to find it in a supermarket. There are a couple of yogurt shops in Paris, but from what I’ve read, they do not compare to the frozen yogurt in the US and lack the tart flavor that makes it so satisfying on the tongue. It’s also quite expensive.

4) DHEA supplement

DHEA is a steroid hormone made primarily by the adrenal glands, and studies show it improves bone density. It is recommended for osteoporosis because it can reduce bone resorption, which is the process that breaks down bone. While not banned in France, it is strictly regulated. It is not sold as an over-the-counter dietary supplement, but requires a doctor's prescription and custom compounding. This means I can’t order it online and have it shipped to my house with my other vitamins and supplements.

5) Disposable seat covers in public toilets

I know it’s a little thing, but they are so convenient, save time and provide a hygienic barrier. In France, there is no container of disposable seat covers. In fact, I’m grateful if the toilet has a seat, as many public toilets don’t. I recently read that the toilet seat is the cleanest thing in a public bathroom, but that doesn’t give me comfort. I’m ordering disposable toilet seat covers on Amazon France, so I’m always prepared.

6) Ground turkey

I like using ground turkey in recipes, often as a substitute for ground beef. However, pre-packaged ground turkey is not available in supermarkets as it’s not a traditional French food. The local butcher might be willing to grind turkey at the end of the day, so it doesn’t mix with the ground beef. I haven’t tried that yet. Another option is to buy turkey filets and grind them in a food processor. Wish me luck as I try and find a whole turkey for Thanksgiving dinner.

7) Really good organic peanut butter

I love Santa Cruz organic peanut butter, especially the crunchy one. It contains only one ingredient: organic peanuts. No added oils, salt or sugar. I have yet to find a peanut butter in France that comes even close to the flavor of the Santa Cruz brand.

8) Household products

There are many household and cleaning products, like powered bleach, OxiClean and Terro ant traps that are not readily available in France. I could order them online, but only if I want to pay three to five times the price I would in the US. So, I find substitutes, or in the case of borax-based ant traps, I make my own.

9) Mexican and other ethnic foods

There are no Mexican restaurants in my immediate area. There are a couple in Rennes and Nantes that serve a limited menu, and several in Paris. Unfortunately, as with most ethnic cuisine I try in France, it’s good, but the flavors are not the same.

Recently in the Bordeaux area I tried a Mexican restaurant that had good reviews. I ordered a pork bowl similar to what I would have at Chipotle, except it was half the meat portion and double the price. It was okay, but tasted nothing like the Mexican food I have in Portland, Oregon or Southern California.

I realize Mexican food varies by region and country, and I’m sure if I had the same dishes in Mexico, they wouldn’t taste the same. I’ve started to make my own tacos, tostadas and rice and bean bowls. The secret is in the spices. I’ve tried several different spice blends in France, but none of them have the right mix of flavors.

A friend from the US brought some packets of Trader Joe’s taco seasoning. Now the challenge is finding good salsa. I was spoiled with options in the US. Trader Joes sells 12 different types of salsas, both fresh and in jars. The supermarkets in France sell mainly Del Taco salsa, which is full of sugar and short on flavor. I found an organic fajita salsa at the health food store, but it’s not that tasty. I may have to make my own salsa.

I also miss Thai food, as there are no Thai restaurants in my area. In southwest France recently, I ordered Pad Thai and received breaded fried chicken pieces over rice noodles that tasted nothing like Pad Thai. I can forget about finding Pad Se U, papaya salad or any other favorite Thai dishes. Lebanese and Indian restaurants are the only cuisines that comes close to what I’ve had in the US, but it’s still not the same. Frankly, I’ve given up on ethnic restaurants in France as it just ends in disappointment for my tastebuds. I’ll wait until I return to the US to enjoy the robust, spicy flavors I crave.

Solutions and conclusions

If you really can’t live without something, on your next trip back to the US (or wherever you are from), pack a large suitcase with all the things you miss — as long as it doesn’t put you over the weight restrictions and it's not prohibited by border control. Ask friends visiting from the US to bring a couple of your treasured items.

For those things that won’t travel well, either find substitutes or make it yourself. France is definitely a DIY country. I’ll be making my own cupcakes, chicken broth, ant traps, Mexican food and salsa.

Avoid paying high prices online for American products. And don’t ask friends to ship items to France from another country because you’ll potentially be paying an import VAT (Value Added Tax), customs duties, and a carrier handling fee before the package can be delivered.

If you live in France, I’d be curious to know what things you miss from your home country. Or if you are planning a move to France, what things do you think you'll miss? Comment below.