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-   -   Do Franprix or Monoprix stores offer delivery services? (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/do-franprix-or-monoprix-stores-offer-delivery-services-1053443/)

Photobear Jul 6th, 2015 01:27 PM

Do Franprix or Monoprix stores offer delivery services?
 
If we walk 15 minutes to the closest store from our apartment to get groceries (cases of water, milk, juice, breakfast items etc) can we have it delivered to our apartment? Do we need to take a taxi? I would think that going such a short distance would piss off a taxi driver. I don't want to lug heavy groceries several blocks. Thanks

rialtogrl Jul 6th, 2015 01:43 PM

When I stayed in that area the apartment I rented had a rolling shopping trolley. Maybe yours will, or you can buy one. It came in very handy.

greg Jul 6th, 2015 01:52 PM

Locals use something like this: http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/241...arisStreet.jpg

Sarastro Jul 6th, 2015 01:54 PM

If you are renting an apartment short term and do not have a customer card with them, they may not deliver but normally they do make home deliveries as does Carrefour.

janisj Jul 6th, 2015 01:56 PM

Even w/o a trolley, you should be able to carry the simple groceries you will likely buy -- the locals certainly do.

Cases of water? really?

And you won't be getting half gallons of milk or juice.

A trolley could be handy -- but you'll be able to manage w/o . . .

Photobear Jul 6th, 2015 02:01 PM

Ummm....We are staying there with 3 people for 10 nights. We drink a lot of water and need milk for breakfast.....I don't want to pack anything else so I thought I would ask a simple question.....Sorry if what I want to buy offends you. Like I said, I don't want to carry a case of water for a 20 minute walk....GEeeezzzz

Gretchen Jul 6th, 2015 03:40 PM

You chose the apartment IN PARIS. Deal with it--yes, it DOES offend me. It really IS all about YOU.

Gretchen Jul 6th, 2015 03:40 PM

Oh, I forgot--live like the locals!! LOL

nytraveler Jul 6th, 2015 03:46 PM

Why not ask the people you are renting from if they have a grocery cart? This is really common in many larger cities where you can't drive to a market.

Pvoyageuse Jul 6th, 2015 03:52 PM

"Do Franprix or Monoprix stores offer delivery services?"
Yes, in some (not all) stores. There is usually a minimum purchase of €50 to €70.

greg Jul 6th, 2015 03:59 PM

I see some threads on internet that they deliver for a fee unless you bought a lot, but not on Sunday.

I am not sure if you have a special need, but the tap water is potable in Paris unless your apartment cannot provide potable water. You can filter it if you want.
http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2013/02/water-eau-paris/

If you have a wheeled luggage, you can use it to transport your heavy cargo from the store if you don't want to bother with a trolley. I see locals hop onto buses with grocery trolleys.

denisea Jul 6th, 2015 04:16 PM

Many apartments will have one of the rolling carts the locals use for you to use while staying there. I don't remember who you are renting from, but you might ask them if your apartment has one or if there is one you could borrow while there. I actually have never used it because we don't buy much at one time.

To me (my opinion only, others may feel differently), shopping in Paris is different from how we do so in the US...less bulk purchasing and more picking up what you need for a day or two. There will also be smaller tabacs here and there that you can also pick up a few things, as you need them. Sorry if some of the posts have been harsh.

Photobear Jul 6th, 2015 05:04 PM

Gretchen....wasn't talking to you.....I was talking to janisj.....I don't see why so many things need to turn into debates on this site. It is actually a simple question. I am SOOOOO sorry I even mentioned water. It is not only water but groceries for more than a week. I know people like to buy daily but that is just not how we do it. I am sure we will find lots of goodies we want to try.

I am willing to dish out the $$$ for delivery....some chose $200 meals, we don't....to each their own....

I hate that such a simple question has turned into a WHY ON EARTH WOULD U DRINK BOTTLED water debate.

If I am touring around, and I run out of the water , I will find a store and buy another. I will not walk around looking for a tap.....That is just not me. Sorry but that is the way I am.

I have no idea why Gretchen feels offended but I think it's quite odd as she never responded to my post to begin with.

This place can make people feel very unwelcome here. I find a lot of the posts on here get some pretty harsh comments but I try to let it slide. Sorry if I got bent out of shape but it was really getting to me that a simple question turned into a debate on what I should or shouldn't buy. I will contact my host to see if they offer this cart....they speak only a little French as they are German but I will try to send her that picture that shows the cart so maybe that will help. Since I live in a town of 650 people in eastern Canada, I was not familiar with them as nobody here uses such a thing.

I just ask that we all play nice. No need to get so intense. I appreciate all the comments that were truly helpful. It was greatly appreciated.

janisj Jul 6th, 2015 05:07 PM

>>To me (my opinion only, others may feel differently), shopping in Paris is different from how we do so in the US...less bulk purchasing and more picking up what you need for a day or two<<

You are 100% right denisa. And in most every other city in Europe as well. You aren't shopping at Costco fer cryin' out loud. Cases of water (?) - I ask again. Drink tap water like 90% of your neighbors will. If you want to live like a local -- you'll stop at small local shops for the specific types of things they carry and then go to another for the veg or baked goods or cheese or flowers or whatever. And you carry your small bags/packages home. You don't take a taxi to a super market and back to stock up.

I've spent aggregate several months in vacation rentals in London, Paris, and other European cities -- and never once needed groceries delivered, or a taxi to get them home. Oops -- yes I did <i>once</i> -- when I was doing a Thanksgiving dinner/drinks for 9 people.

(Now, when renting a large house in the countryside it is different -- there I sometimes do go to supermarkets and buy 5 or 6 days worth of groceries - but only when my house is not in a town center)

Photobear Jul 6th, 2015 06:14 PM

I give up.......I will drink what I want......since the stores offer the service of delivery I am sure that it is only used by foreigners. I am sure Parisians NEVER get groceries delivered. I guess I am going to be escorted straight to a detention centre if I decide to drink bottled water......for shame.

Omg get over yourself. I will not change my mind because some random internet bully decides to get up on a high horse. This would actually be funny if it was not so insulting. If we buy lots, we will get it delivered.....if we only buy a little, we will take it back ourselves.....I just wanted to be prepared......didn't know I was going to cause such a fuss.

Must be easier in your world but I live in mine......

northie Jul 6th, 2015 07:33 PM

in my experience fridges in European apartments are small - minuscule by North American standards so shopping for large amounts that need to be refrigerated might not be practical.

kerouac Jul 6th, 2015 08:08 PM

Are you staying in Paris itself? If so, the walk to the nearest store is likely to be more like 2 minutes rather than 15 minutes.

menachem Jul 6th, 2015 09:59 PM

Kerouac, not where they're staying.

But the others are right too, Photobear: you just buy for every day, or every other day. Remember to bring a foldable shopping bag when you're in the city, then, when you pass a grocery, or a market, you bring food home at the end of your day. And it's the only real drawback to your location: no groceries or markets, or bakeries on your doorstep. So you'll have to plan a little.

menachem Jul 7th, 2015 12:31 AM

And Hurrah! There seems to be a bakery at 16 Av Rapp:

https://www.google.nl/maps/@48.86009...2!8i6656?hl=en

A nice Bar a Vin at number 22

https://www.google.nl/maps/@48.85923...2!8i6656?hl=en

Another baker (sourdough!) at number 39

https://www.google.nl/maps/@48.85837...2!8i6656?hl=en

Other than that, many, many real estate agents

hetismij2 Jul 7th, 2015 12:54 AM

I think you are better off buying small amounts as you need it, rather than buying in for a week. That way you can spontaneously decide to eat out without feeling bad about all that food back at the apartment.
You will need to buy bread regularly since it doesn't stay fresh for more than a day, so why not get the rest as you need it.
Try not to waste food by buying too much at once, a waste of food and money.
Try the tap water before buying lots of bottled water. If you don't like it fair enough, but again it will save you a lot of money if you drink tap water and take your own bottle from home with you. If you run out while out for the day then of course buy a bottle.

manouche Jul 7th, 2015 01:03 AM

Pay attention to store hours - many close on Sunday, for all or part of the day.

IME you do not need to acquire a "carte de fidelite" before a store will deliver, but it does make them more inclined to do so. All you have to do is meet the minimum purchase, which varies by store. Then you have to fill out a delivery form, including a phone number (French), door code, time of delivery and other information. If you can't provide this info, you won't get a delivery. It is customary to tip the delivery guy when he's finished - depending on how much he's hauling, and if he has to take the stairs.

Many stores will not deliver packs of water anymore, and they do not count as part of the minimum purchase, either - so you should ask about that at the register or with the store manager (much easier to ask before getting in line with all your stuff).

Some buildings with antique elevators do not allow deliveries except by someone taking the stairs. This is to protect the elevator from overloading and possible outages. Find out about this from the people you are renting from, before you go to the store. Otherwise, you might be held liable for damages and lose all or part of your deposit.

If there is not a "caddie" (wheeled cart) in the apartment, the owner/manager is under no obligation to provide one, and probably will suggest you go buy your own. This is easy - look for them in BHV in the "droguerie" section, any "bazaar" (those little stores that sell hardware and everything else), and sometimes Monoprix. Also look at an outdoor market. Price should run around 25 EU.
However, they don't hold very much, so if you are intending to buy lots of supplies, you'll have to make multiple trips. If there are two or three able-bodied people, you could all go together - this way, you'd make fewer trips.

A taxi may or may not accept a grocery run. The minimum charge for the shortest ride is 7 EU (even if the meter reads less than that), plus 1 EU per bag in the trunk. Many taxis won't accept groceries inside the vehicle.

Living without a car is not easy, nor is hauling groceries. Most of us do not have large refrigerators, though, so have become used to picking things up whenever we pass a store.

If you think you're cranky just thinking about "making groceries" in Paris, just wait till you actually do it. Now you will understand why the Parisians are so grouchy all the time.

Good luck, though - and try to manage a couple of trips, instead of one big haul. It's really not so bad, and really won't cut into your vacation time.

Jay_G Jul 7th, 2015 03:14 AM

I thought I'd seen everything on this forum, but some of the responses on this thread really take the biscuit.

Criticising harshly someone's preferred shopping method? Personal attacks because someone wants their shopping delivered? You couldn't make it up.

But what has been made up is janisj's assertion that "90% of your neighbors will [drink tap water rather than bottled]". This is absolute balderdash.

France is one of the highest per capita consumers of bottled water in the world and as anyone who has spent large amounts of time with real French people will know, they drink almost exclusively bottled water, despite the tap water being perfectly potable.

They will often have (yes) packs of still, bottled water of various sizes as well as sparkling water (Badoit or similar) for after dinner, to aid digestion. You can even get 'specialised' bottled water such as Contrex which the marketing men would have you believe help with slimming, but I find almost undrinkable, due to the (comparatively) high levels of calcium in it.

Anyway, now that my potted history of bottled water consumption in France is terminated, I'd suggest booking a taxi to help with the delivery.

It'll be easier than trying to organise a delivery direct with the supermarket and it's likely that it wouldn't be the first time the driver's had to go a short distance with a heavy load of shopping.

Whenever we're in France for an extended period, we always stock up on the essentials (such as packs of bottled water and 1.5 litre bottles of milk) in order to avoid making numerous trips to the supermarket that the people who seem to want to create some kind of twee, 'real' Paris experience are so enamoured with. If we can get it done once then spend the time that would otherwise be spent in checkout queues doing something interesting, then we're happy.

Ackislander Jul 7th, 2015 04:35 AM

I was pretty much with you on some of the comments being OTT until _you_ wrote, "That's just not the way we do it."

Mmmmmm. Not a good attitude.

How big is the fridge? Can it hold a week's supplies, much less ten days? Most would not in the places we have rented. The French don't like to shop every day any more than Canadians, but if the fridge is dorm sized and won't hold a full LITRE of milk, what are you going to do?

Classic French bread is made without preservatives. It is good bread. The French seem to buy twice a day. Once a day may be enough for you, but last night's bread will be pretty rocky if you try to eat it at breakfast. Do it their way.

Fruits and vegetables have a much shorter shelf life than in North America. It is one reason they taste so good, but don't expect Monday's strawberries to be good on Saturday. Ditto cheeses. Meat at supermarkets, except the very largest, are pretty minimal. You may _have_ to go to a butcher.

But the real issues are things like small shops being closed all afternoon, bakeries closing one day a week, supermarkets having to close at 1 on Sundays and almost everything being closed on obscure public holidays, of which there are many. You have to adapt to them, they won't adapt to you.

You will know all this by the time you get to Paris, but being prepared for a lot of it is worthwhile.

If you can indeed load up, someone is going to have to stay home until the delivery person comes. Someone may or may not be happy about doing that. Another way to handle this that we always use when traveling with friends is to divide the responsibilities in the morning: DH gets lamb chops and wine, you get asparagus and bottled water, Mom gets fruit and bread. Not too much to ask of anyone.

kerouac Jul 7th, 2015 04:56 AM

I myself do not know anyone who drinks bottled water regularly but it is obvious that a lot of it is being sold. In my own neighbourhood, it seems to be bought almost exclusively by African immigrants (a large sector of the population) who do not know about potable tap water or who may be living in insalubrious buildings.

I buy bottled fizzy water in the summer, usually Badoit Rouge.

fourfortravel Jul 7th, 2015 05:43 AM

I tuned into this discussion because our teenagers are spending a week next month in Paris in an apart-hotel, and I thought grocery delivery of basics for them might be a good idea…

Does it strike anyone else as curious that Photobear has been “planning trips to France/Paris/Normandie/Loire Valley” since 2005 (in October/November); only asks questions about France (some very specific); and never offers a trip report?

To be fair, circumstances change and travel plans are often rearranged or canceled. And, some travelers have preferred travel times (and destinations). Also, not everyone who seeks advice here offers a trip report for every holiday taken (I am guilty of that.) The kind-hearted in me, though, thinks this armchair, or unbelievably unlucky traveler deserves more polite consideration, perhaps?

janisj Jul 7th, 2015 06:43 AM

My point was <B>NOT</B> about not drinking bottled water -- do it or not (after tasting the tap water first of course). That isn't the point. It is the <u>cases of water</u> you have mentioned more than once.

They may not even sell water by the case. You really need to wait til you are 'on the ground' in Paris to see what we mean by shopping/storage/refrigerators/transport etc being completely different than you may be expecting.

I just don't think buying in bulk is practical -- and you'll likely discover that yourself.

Jay_G Jul 7th, 2015 06:51 AM

kerouac - interesting that it's primarily immigrants buying bottled water in your neighbourhood.

As a counterpoint (which in no way is meant to disagree with your point but just to show that it's not only people in possibly less salubrious areas buying it) lots of my extended family and friends drink pretty much exclusively bottled water (almost excessively in my opinion).

They are all people who have no worries about their tap water being unsuitable for drinking, but I've seen it used for making formula for babies bottles, glasses of cordial (particularly the god forsaken menthe a l'eau) even to fill up the carafe that accompanies every meal.

They've stopped short of using it to make ice cubes, but my wife uses an evian brumisateur to cleanse her face nightly before bed...

menachem Jul 7th, 2015 07:06 AM

<<that the people who seem to want to create some kind of twee, 'real' Paris experience are so enamoured with. >>

I've lived in cities all my life, presently Rotterdam, and Paris, seasonally. I never buy large amounts of groceries. My mother does, but she lives in the country, and there it makes sense.

The walkability of most of Paris is such that the nearest bakery of grocery is never far away. So some of the essentials you buy longer term, but day to day shopping is bought day to day. The apartment's location is complicated in the sense that groceries are thin on the ground there, so getting to one takes a 15 minute walk. But that, imo, is a quick there and back at the start or the end of the day and a shopping bag to stuff into your jacket pocket so that if you pass by a cheese shop or a good baker, butcher or greengrocer, you can take home what you like and have it for dinner or such.

That is indeed how many people do their shopping in large cities, and there it makes perfect sense.

RM67 Jul 7th, 2015 07:35 AM

The other thing not mentioned (unless I've missed it) is the (non) environmentally friendly aspect of getting groceries delivered such a short distance - the city is already clogged with traffic and pollution, so if you can manage to bring back a pint of milk or loaf of bread as needed on foot or via public transport it makes sense to do this. Also, I would expect to be eating out at least some of the time so it's probably not going to be the case that you'll need provisions for 3 full meals a day for the entire trip. This may be another reason some of the replies aren't massively accomodating - to most Europeans it does seem a bit unecessary to schedule a delivery for a few days worth of basics.

Photobear Jul 7th, 2015 07:44 AM

WHAT ON EARTH IS WRONG with buying a few 6 packs of water??????? GET OVER IT you BULLY.

If my Mom wants a few Pepsi and we want to buy enough water to hydrate the entire city of Paris.....What does that matter to you. AND YES THEY DO SELL CASES......I have seen them. I am not buying in BULK.!!!!!

I am wanting to get some items that will probably include some milk, juice, eggs, bread, meats, cheese, yogurts, snacks, mustard, sea salt, fruits, veggies, and hopefully some items I have never tried before and I don't want to carry them through the streets. Google maps puts us 15 minutes walk to a Franprix....carrying grocery on the way back from our walk there would be an awful 20 minutes if we end up buying more than we can carry comfortably. So I was trying to see what options I had. If we buy only a little, we will walk back with it.
WHY are you so obsessed with my buying habits. I am a 43 year old woman who's husband has had a knee replacement and I WON'T let him hurt himself for the sake of saving a few euros. I will not let my Mom carry more than a light few bags because where I come from, you carry it for her. PERIOD!!!!

I WILL SHOP how I want and when I want. I own and manage 2 successful businesses so I think I can figure it out. I will have checked into the apartment by then. I have seen the pictures of the kitchen so I can tell you that the fridge is actually a nice size....not a bar size fridge by any means. I will NOT buy everything in one stop.....This was just an IN CASE scenario.....Nothing more. Blown completely out of proportion....It was a simple question turned into such a fuss for nothing.

You are a BULLY......about groceries of all things....How little is your life that this is how you treat a fellow human being??? WOW!!!!!

I don't know if you thought I was going to buy hundreds of bottles of water or 1000 lbs of food, but that is still NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!!!!!!!!

You are rude, inconsiderate and hostile. I feel sorry for you. Your life must suck if this is how you enjoy spending your free time....Harassing people on the net that you have never met.


I cannot for the life of me figure out what I said that hit such a nerve with you. LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!!

I was just covering my bases in case we wanted to buy more than we could carry....I have no idea if we would need the service or not. I just wanted to cover my options.

I did however get some great advice on this thread from well-meaning individuals. I had not thought of unpacking and then using our wheeled luggage.....genius.....that would work.....how awesome. Thank you to who suggested it.




WOW......such a hostile place. If I was the type to be intimidated by the thought of travel to France, and came here for info, I would turn tail and run. Shame on you. Thank god I am a strong person.

To all that gave advice, thank you. I still can't believe the turn that this thread has taken. I apologize for bringing so much drama to this site. I thought I was a asking a simple yes or no question. Instead we got fireworks.....CRAZY.

Just to recap, I asked if the grocery stores had delivery service....that was all. It was a just in case.....Sorry if this got out of hand. I will go to France for my 25 days, I will make memories that will last a lifetime. Watching my Mom's eyes when she sees the Eiffel Tower for the first time will be totally worth all the prep time and research. Spending time with my husband as we explore Paris will be amazing. I have no doubt of that. We can't wait. Thank you.

Oh and for those wondering why I am only getting to go to France now instead of 2006 when we were first supposed to go.....In 2006, My mom got colon cancer and I was her caretaker, in 2007, My Dad had a triple bypass and by 2008 he was diagnosed with melanoma Cancer and died a year later. Since then, my hubby has needed to have his knee replaced. He had a complication called drop foot and needed a lot of therapy to get to the point that he fells comfortable with this much walking. I have on the other hand, had to have EYE surgery that has left me partly blind in my right eye so that stopped us from going anywhere last year as it affected my depth perception. I have more surgery in September and if all goes well, we will be going to France this November....If not, we will take a package tour to another country probably England and go to France once I have healed next year.
In the last few years we have taken trips to easier destinations like a cruise and the Grand Canyon and Vegas. But I guess I should have included all this with my post asking an innocent question about groceries. Planning this trip was so much fun until all of this. I hate that something that was bringing me so much pleasure after several years of hardship has turned out to be a circus where potshots are taking at me for no reason.

Photobear Jul 7th, 2015 07:55 AM

RM67..... " The other thing not mentioned (unless I've missed it) is the (non) environmentally friendly aspect of getting groceries delivered such a short distance - the city is already clogged with traffic and pollution, so if you can manage to bring back a pint of milk or loaf of bread as needed on foot or via public transport it makes sense to do this."

Now I am the cause of global warming? It was an innocent question just in case we bought too much to carry.....

RM67 Jul 7th, 2015 08:01 AM

'Now I am the cause of global warming'

Where does it say that exactly? It was simply pointed out to you that most Europeans living or staying in a city centre would walk to the grocery store rather than get goods delivered and maybe that's why you were getting responses that expressed surprise at you wanting to book a delivery service.

The downside of asking for advice is that it might not always be what you want to hear. There's no reason to get angry at people who point out shortcomings in your plan or alternatives, or even just possible explanations for the views expressed in other posts, if they've done so in a polite fashion.

immimi Jul 7th, 2015 08:05 AM

...speaking of hostile!

Photobear Jul 7th, 2015 08:07 AM

I just don't understand. If they offer delivery service, it must be used by parisians right? Sorry if I was a bit harsh with my answer. This thread has left me feeling attacked . I see now that you were just making a point. Please forgive my rudeness. It was not my intent.

RM67 Jul 7th, 2015 08:11 AM

'I just don't understand. If they offer delivery service, it must be used by parisians right?'

Very probably - but I imagine it's their full weekly shop, all their groceries, cleaning stuff etc etc. I expect most people envisaging you going out for goods were thinking you were probably just after milk, bread, yoghurt etc and it wouldn't be too much trouble to carry a single bag of goods back.

Another thing you could do is see if your host is leaving you the basics 9some places do a welcome basket) and/or if they are prepared to get some stuff in for you just for your arrival. Then for the rest of the trip you might be able to bring bits and pieces on the way home after a day out, using whatever method of transport you were going to use to get 'home' to your apartment anyway.

Photobear Jul 7th, 2015 08:22 AM

I will ask....they only speak a little bit of French and some English (they are German) but I can't seem to get good answers....I may use a translator app. Thank you. I am calming down now. Sorry I was harsh.

RM67 Jul 7th, 2015 08:25 AM

No problem - I'm sure someone on here would be able to help you translate a message to your hosts, or the agency (if you booked through one). Also, I'm not sure if I missed the location of your apartment, but someone above must know it because they posted some links to shops nearby including a decent looking bakery.

Come back if you need help with anything else - though maybe start new threads if they are unrelated to the grocery theme...

Pvoyageuse Jul 7th, 2015 08:27 AM

" the (non) environmentally friendly aspect of getting groceries delivered such a short distance"
Monoprix uses bikes : http://www.lsa-conso.fr/mediatheque/...00012297_5.jpg

Photobear Jul 7th, 2015 08:28 AM

Ok....Yes we are on Avenue Rapp near the Seine in the 7th. Thank you for your help and forgiveness.

menachem Jul 7th, 2015 08:29 AM

Photobear, would this be something for you?

http://www.ooshop.com/courses-en-lig...scription.aspx

They do deliver in the 7th, and if you time it right, you can order before you leave for Paris, and pick a delivery slot so it's delivered shortly after you arrive. That way the basics are covered and all you have to do is the fun shopping daily. Although bakeries are a must for fresh bread every day but you have 2 in your street.


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