Lidl is a discount chain. Maybe 1/3 of the items are exactly what you'll find in every other local shop. If you're looking for a large name brand product it'll be the same. The produce can be just fine .Then there are some brands you've never heard of and never see outside of Lidl. Then you have a bunch of German products. If instead of fromage blanc you want the German equivalent Lidl will likely be a better option. Locally in Italy they bake Rye bread in the shop. Good luck finding that almost anywhere else. They tend to stock electrical goods made for the German market. That means if you need an extension cord with a German plug on it Lidl is the cheapest option.

But going to Lidl is like flying to the US to visit Walmart.

Lidl in Paris bakes fresh baguettes for something like 0.37€.

Lidl is by far the best grocery store around here, but I've been disappointed in Lidls elsewhere in France. In Paris I try to stay away from all the chains and just visit fresh markets and small stores.

As for Leader Price, it can be pointed out that just about all of the house brand Leader Price items are sold also at Franprix. In fact, it was considered to be the Franprix house brand until that chain created its own Franprix label -- more expensive than Leader Price and often in competition in the same store.

The debate concerning street markets and small shops versus supermarkets will of course never end. It is both a question of lifestyle and economics, not to mention upbringing. As for myself, I would have to say that I probably buy 90% of my food at supermarkets (but five different ones because I know which one is best for various products) and perhaps only 10% at the small places, not because of quality but because I couldn't find a specific item that I was looking for. Practically all of the vegetables, fruits, meat and fish in Paris come from the Rungis central market whether they are sold in supermarkets, street markets or in market streets. Obviously, there are different qualities because there are a huge number of Rungis vendors for both the high end and the low end of the market (and yes, even the middle). Basically in Paris, there are only a few butchers who have direct connections to suppliers and just a few greengrocers with a connection to a local farm. Good luck in finding them if that's what you want.

I really got into the baking and spice section in Paris groceries. I love looking for things we don't get. The Maille mustard and mayo are delish but the commissary carries now. Great selection of wine and ciders from Normandy.

Merci tous encore. Aaarrgh!! I now feel like one of those soccer/footie players who have scored an 'own goal'. It appears that I messed up our aforementioned rental, which was next door to the Legacy restaurant. Could've sworn that I'd reserved it properly a couple months ago, but apparently not. Can only attribute this frustrating gaffe to my hospital episode, which happened around the exact same time. Worse things happen, yeah?
Anyway, we got a new rental in same same Charonne area, down near Buzevenal metro station. So Macross, we'll be close to an Auchan, plus Carrefour City. Lidl beckons just beyond but I hear you all saying that the Parisian ones fall short of the mark.
I am done. The rocket surgeon.

(voice of Freddo in The Godfather)
"I'm SMART Mikey! I'm SMART!!"