Grocery store tourism: shop for food like a local in France

30.07.2024 - 15:48 / lonelyplanet.com

Jul 30, 2024 • 7 min read

Going to a supermarket while traveling turns what is usually a fairly mundane activity at home into a new cultural experience and a deep insight into another country. From eyeing up fruits we’ve never seen before to sampling regional specialties, trying local foods is one of the best ways to get to know a place. 

Food grabs your attention in France, one of gastronomic capitals of the world and home to the crispy baguette, many prestigious wines, and a ton of Michelin stars. But while fine dining can sometimes be out of reach, we can all browse the aisles of our local supermarket to get a taste of France. Here good food is revered every day, from picking up freshly baked croissants in the morning to browsing cheese and wines on a Saturday afternoon for a weekend apéro (apéritif) with friends.

Here we show you how to get the most out of grocery shopping in France, from what to when and where to buy it. 

Supermarkets are, of course, where pretty much all French people do their daily shopping. Big chains include Carrefour and Franprix, but you'll find the highest quality food selection (plus a popular selection of clothes and homeware) at Monoprix. For organic, seasonal produce go to Bio C Bon (mainly in Paris), Naturalia, or Biocoop (the supermarkets do sell organic produce but you’ll find a better quality in the list here).

It's still the norm in France to go to a specialty shop for certain products, particularly if you're hosting an event like a birthday or dinner party. Some places you’re sure to spot are the boucherie or butcher (they’ll probably sell charcuterie too, but if not, look for a boucherie charcuterie), poissonnerie (fishmongers), fromagerie (cheesemonger), cave (wine shop), boulangerie (bakery selling bread, pastries, and sometimes cakes and desserts), pâtisserie (bakery selling fancier desserts) and chocolaterie (shop selling chocolate and maybe other sweet treats such as caramels, hot chocolate or chocolate desserts).

For specialty products like teas, jams and preserves, canned fish and pasta, look for an épicerie or épicerie fine. The fine indicates that higher quality, artisan items are available, but you can sometimes get these at an épicerie too.

Markets are a huge part of French life all around the country. They’re great for picking up fruit and veg, buying local specialities and just generally immersing yourself in this part of French culture. 

You can also buy fresh produce from a primeur (greengrocer), and while they usually have a great selection, they can be more expensive than the supermarket. 

Traditionally, the French have shopped according to what was available: if it wasn’t the season for strawberries, then you couldn’t find a strawberry. This has changed