the largest supermarket near our hotel was in the basement level of a department store. so if you aren't seeing anything obvious... look down as you're walking around.

I was lucky to stay one street over from La Grande Epicerie during my last trip... I went there every day and sometimes even twice!

I also visited a lot of the alimentation generale type stores too, they have a little bit of everything if you need a quick snack!

Doesn't really matter what time they close. When out any morning, either from a convenience store, street market, or supermarket, buy what fruit you like and drop it in your bag. Then you have it when you want it and no need to look for a shop.

Jaja - I wasn't proposing that Jill pack a picnic lunch from the breakfast buffet......just grab an apple & maybe a jogurt.
I have seen many hotel guests do this on their way out from the diningroom. I am sure the hotel is quite aware of this practice and has no issue with it. Well, I've never seen anyone being waylaid by staff and demanding they "put that apple back!"

OK i can see taking one piece of whole fruit from the a hotel breakfast buffet for later on. but i wouldn't take more than that, and personally wouldn't even want a yogurt hanging around in my tote bag all day!

I've seen hotel guests do lots of things that I wouldn't do. Germans do that a lot as they are kind of cheap. I think it's ok to take a piece of fruit for breakfast if you did not already take one and eat it. In other words, it is supposed to be breakfast for one person.

Jill isn't going to starve to death, for heaven's sake, there is food everywhere.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could provide helpful advice to one another without resorting to unnecessary negative stereotypes about one particular nationality or another...

Try Palais du Fruit on Rue Montorgueil. It's right by where rue Mandar connects.

Thanks everyone! I am staying in the 5th at Hotel Saint Jacques which is on 35 rue des Ecoles. What is the closest fruit stand or grocery store?

Just ask at your hotel front desk when you arrive.

Go on vpike.com, type in your address and you'll be standing in front of your hotel. Take a stroll. In two minutes, I found a boulangerie, Sergio Rossi shoe boutique and a Nicolas wine store right around the corner. Have fun exploring...

-Roberta

Oh wow! Thanks Roberta! Thanks for that link. It's wonderful.

Jill - just down the hill from you at the Maubert-Mutualite metro stop, there is a market a couple of days during the week and it goes until mid-afternoon I think. I think it was there on Wed or Thursday and for sure on Saturday. Lots of fruits, vegetables and many other goodies. There are also 2 convenience-type stores on this street that you'll pass on the way, they are open in the evenings but not sure how late. You'll find stores and markets selling food all over the place, so no worries!

Oh, and I forgot to mention that right on that square where the metro stop is, there is a bakery, a fish store, a meat store, a fruit/vegetable store and around the corner is a great Italian deli! There is quite a selection at all of them. All were open during the day and into the evening.

And isn't it possible that people taking things off the breakfast buffet are just going up to their room to eat them? Or has a travel companion who isn't feeling well? What's the difference?

JillDavis, I know the thread is quite dated, but I somehow stumbled upon it. I am planning a trip to Paris myself and was amused to see a very similar concern voiced in your post (I posted something very similar recently). Was also amazed to see some of the same people replying to your post to help you, who replied to me patiently as well. Fodors rocks and so do each of the people here who are so helpful.

JilLDavis, if you could share how you coped with the food issue while in Paris, I'd be interested to know.

rtwin, you really do not have to "cope" with "the food issue" in Paris. You will be tripping over food no matter what day, what time of day, or what time of year. I would suggest concentrating on enjoying your time there, not obsessing over the details. There is absolutely no need at all to plan ahead for getting yourself fed, no matter what you want to eat.

Good for you, Mary. Go there and don't come back here to post such a

Hi Jill! See you're headed back to Paris. Are you going this summer? You eat the same as I do. Lots of mini meals for me. I usually keep a banana with me just for an emergency hunger pang. And I carry a small bag of cocoa covered almonds. I'm not a foodie at all, so I usually grab something at wherever I am at the time I get hungry.

Hope you have a great time in Paris! I plan to do Paris solo next June.

Sorry Jill! Just saw this is an old post. But I hope you're going again soon.