Favorite Paris Supermarket Finds?
Sep 14th, 2005, 01:10 PM
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Favorite Paris Supermarket Finds?
We need to start a thread now for the Paris supermarket finds -- for those of us who haven't been or are not going to be in Italy for the foreseeable future.........
Prisunic was the store of choice when I was in Paris which is now Monoprix. Although only the lower level was a supermarket, it was great fun to look at their merchandise. I brought back coffee and Madeleines (and probably more things -- just can't think right now).
So, what's your favorite Paris supermarket find that you can't leave Paris without?
Prisunic was the store of choice when I was in Paris which is now Monoprix. Although only the lower level was a supermarket, it was great fun to look at their merchandise. I brought back coffee and Madeleines (and probably more things -- just can't think right now).
So, what's your favorite Paris supermarket find that you can't leave Paris without?
Sep 14th, 2005, 01:57 PM
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I think Prisunic and Monoprix were actually two different companies originally, although perhaps Monoprix bought them out eventually. I think there have been threads like this on here before, also, before the Italy one. I just appreciate the good cheap wine you can get in France at a supermarket.
Sep 14th, 2005, 04:50 PM
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Actually I joked that the supermarket was my favorite place to shop while in Paris this spring. I stocked up on Savora mustard (with spices) which I can no longer find in the states, Amora mustard (zesty and very inexpensive in small jars that become little juice glasses once empty), and very nice and inexpensive face soaps. Of course, these are just the things that I brought home and not the perishables that we purchased and ate while in Paris, i.e. fromage blanc. Most supermarkets have a decent selection of inexpensive table wines that complement any picnic lunch. Yes Paris does taste delicious! 
Sep 14th, 2005, 06:25 PM
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Chocolates especially the ones with hazlenuts and almonds and cookies. The chocolates made in France taste lots better to me than the ones in the States. Also the chocolates with nuts are really packed with nuts.
Sep 14th, 2005, 06:40 PM
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All the wonderful LU cookies that they don't sell in the US. We must have ate 4 packs of butter cookies in 2 weeks. Thank god for all the walking.
Sea salt with iodine -odd one but the sea salt i've seen here doesn't have it so I had to buy a small container.
Sea salt with iodine -odd one but the sea salt i've seen here doesn't have it so I had to buy a small container.
Sep 14th, 2005, 07:04 PM
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Leader price is another grocery chain similar to Monoprix. I always drop by a super or two when in Paris, last trip even bought an extra suitcase at Rayon d'Or to haul back some goodies. One of my favorite finds was Speculoos, the Belgian spice cookies - there are sources in the US but they are a bit pricey, and at LP they had boxes for about a dollar. Chocolate is another thing that I stock up on in Paris grocery stores. Mustard, spice blends, vinegars... yum, yum, yum.
In another stratum altogether is the Gran Epicerie at Au Bon Marche - certainly no bargain basement prices, but selection and quality that is not to be believed.
In another stratum altogether is the Gran Epicerie at Au Bon Marche - certainly no bargain basement prices, but selection and quality that is not to be believed.
Sep 14th, 2005, 07:57 PM
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Persillade. It's an unusual mixture of herbs found in the spice section, in the same type of glass jar that you see in the US. It's particularly good sprinkled on a white fish such as haddock before sauteeing it. Learned about it from much-missed Elvira.
Sep 14th, 2005, 07:58 PM
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this past March we stayed in an apt and I used the laundry. The laundry soap smelled so good that I ran down to the FranPrix and bought 2 boxes .. now my daughter does the same thing, she brought me soap and softener from Belgium LOL
I also buy chocolates, cookies, crackers, cheeses, anything that catches my fancy.
I do the same at Pharmacies
Where I find shampoos, conditioners & lotions that are not sold in the US.
I also buy chocolates, cookies, crackers, cheeses, anything that catches my fancy.
I do the same at Pharmacies
Where I find shampoos, conditioners & lotions that are not sold in the US.
Sep 14th, 2005, 10:02 PM
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Chocolates - for sure. I also bought wonderful Tapenade at Monoprix and I like the section with toiletries - Monoprix's own label toilet soap - it is wrapped in brown paper and comes in wonderful flavours e.g olive, mandarin, lavender. From this section I also bring back home shower gel and lotion - bought a lavender and mint combination last time that is so fresh!
And of course mustard and a bottle or two red wine!
And as everyone said - that is not even to mention what is consumed while in Paris!
And of course mustard and a bottle or two red wine!
And as everyone said - that is not even to mention what is consumed while in Paris!
Sep 15th, 2005, 05:49 AM
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Gretchen, the Monoprix that you mention is on the pedestrianised section of Rue Caumartin, between Boulevard Haussman and Rue St Lazare. It does have a good selection of gourmet foods, Fauchon items, etc.
I also love the Lafayette Gourmet department in the Galeries Lafayette on Bd Haussman. It has the most incredible selection of gourmet food as well as everyday items. It also has little counters with stools/tables dotted around where you can stop and get a drink or bite to eat - pastries, coffee, wines, antipasti, seafood, etc. Not cheap, but definitely fun
I also love the Lafayette Gourmet department in the Galeries Lafayette on Bd Haussman. It has the most incredible selection of gourmet food as well as everyday items. It also has little counters with stools/tables dotted around where you can stop and get a drink or bite to eat - pastries, coffee, wines, antipasti, seafood, etc. Not cheap, but definitely fun
Sep 15th, 2005, 09:13 AM
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Carte Noir coffee, madeleines (often eat most of them in the hotel room.) The yummy butter cookies, some are very inexpensive -- I think Gallettes St. Michel. Chocolate. The little boxes of LU cookies and crackers, especially mini-quiche. Wine. Mustard.
One year, could have been Nov. 2001, I had my mini-quiche and cute cookie boxes spread throughout my packed suitcase and a very serious young man at CDG asked me to open the case before it was checked through. He did a doubletake when he saw the cookies & crackers and laughed.
I love walking through the Grand Epicerie at Bon Marche. I've seen food there I've never seen before, but don't remember buying more than a sandwich and chocolate, which I ate in the park across the street.
I usually shop whatever grocery is closest to my hotel, so have bought pretty much the same items at Franprix, Monoprix and the grocery on Rue Cler. I like the fruit stands too and usually buy a few Clementines to keep in the mini fridge at the hotel.
I'm getting more ideas from this thread.
Yum.
One year, could have been Nov. 2001, I had my mini-quiche and cute cookie boxes spread throughout my packed suitcase and a very serious young man at CDG asked me to open the case before it was checked through. He did a doubletake when he saw the cookies & crackers and laughed.
I love walking through the Grand Epicerie at Bon Marche. I've seen food there I've never seen before, but don't remember buying more than a sandwich and chocolate, which I ate in the park across the street.
I usually shop whatever grocery is closest to my hotel, so have bought pretty much the same items at Franprix, Monoprix and the grocery on Rue Cler. I like the fruit stands too and usually buy a few Clementines to keep in the mini fridge at the hotel.
I'm getting more ideas from this thread.
Yum.
