Not been to France for years - what's good in French supermarkets?

[Standstilling]

Indulge me - I am off to France soon with the DCs and LOVE a foreign supermarket. Am idly planning and looking forward but I need some specifics. Do they still do those peanut flavoured wotsit things? Obvs cheese and wine... what else is good?

La Baleine sea salt is dead cheap - bought about 3 or 4 tubs.
Plus harissa paste - again about 0.50c.

Why does LeClerc still show prices in francs?

Mayonnaise, massive jars and much more mustardy

I've just come back from Paris and had truffle cashews in a few bars! Highly recommend them if you see them in and supermarkets - delicious.

F

campion yes, although see my other thread about their behaviour...

Anyway, they are big converts to mustard mayo to the point where they only missed ketchup yesterday.

Treacle French women don’t seem to have dull anything - I have spent a lot of time marvelling at them - how thin they are, how well put together they are even on the beach, how respectful and in love their husbands seem and how beautiful and well behaved their children are.

I overheard two beautiful French parents scolding their beautiful children for continually asking when they would be having their pique-nique, instead of enjoying their lovely walk by the coast. It made me feel so much better

Standstilling if you come to my local town you will see plenty of fat French women. In the provinces there is a growing problem of obesity. And often you see kids shouted at in the local supermarket.

Standstilling poor you - I admire your sense of adventure with 3 those ages.I hope you've enjoyed at least some of it- surely the shopping, n'est ce pas?! If they like mustard mayo they aren't all bad

If you haven't read it- and if you ever have enough time to read it- I recommend
www.faber.co.uk/9780571308842-the-secret-life-of-france.html
as an amusing and insightful account of the French from an English perspective. It's an easy read and helped me see through some of the 'perfection'. I do always feel like I have to make more effort to look presentable when I'm there though doomed to failure

campion if you can find an Intermarche or a Super U they're more likely to be open Sunday am.
We investigated the white chocolate Jaffa cakes today. You won't like them, honest

campion If you are coming back via Calais the Auchan at Coquelles is open until midday on Sundays.

Ah...merci beaucoup maggienolia and magimedi

Yes, we shall be in the Calais vicinity that morning so I'll be able to stock up on the chilled stuff as well. I was concerned...

White chocolate Jaffa cakes too you say

I live in France.

I love French Monster Munch (which are not like British Monster Munch but more like Pom Bears but shaped like little ghosts), Lindt chocolate balls with blueberry and acai jelly in the middle (the most delicious "superfood" you'll ever taste), and lots of different types of Haribo. The Orangina flavoured ones are great, and they also do chocolate covered marshmallows which are delicious.

Yes I am enjoying the fine French cuisine in my adoptive country, thanks for asking.

campion Thank you, and you’re right, I have very much enjoyed the shopping. I will add that book to my Kindle for reading when we get home, in my own bed

I've just driven 2000 miles in France and didn't pay anymore than 1.40 Eruros ford fuel - £1.25 so cheaper than here.

Get yourself a loyalty card too for carrefour, and Leclerc, we saved a lot and got great till spits for 20 euros of next shop, so we spent it all on wine.

No one mentioned.........shhhhh, foie gras, gesiers, oysters, and yes, petit ecolier biscuits.

We have 2 fridges in our car so bought lots of cheese too.

In Paris now (with a Picard and Monop outside our appartamente) and have bought some dried trompette de la mort (because with a name like that how could I resist). The kids are loving the Poulain drinking chocolate so we'll be taking some of that back. Tomorrow morning I will stock up on Fleur de Sel (may have to wear my perfume of the same name) and soap. Also eyeing up the long pepper and bouquet garni. Wishing we had the car though, don't really have enough room in the cases.

Sorry a blatant placemark but excited to hit the supermarket 🇫🇷

I loooooove our local Carrefour.

Carotte rapee (or something like that)
Celeri remoulade
Lebanese tabbouleh (it's what we'd call couscous)
Veg/chestnut quiche/egg flan things without pastry in the frozen section
Local butter
Local plain fromage frais
Gateau creusois aux noisettes
Not a fan of a wild myrtille (as its known in our house) myself as its too sweet, but love most of the other Bonne Maman jams
Thé vert soap, it's wonderful
Polka bread
Chocolate moelleux
The sirop squashes
Creme de Mure (much prefer to Creme de Cassis)
All the vinegar cleaning products (dull I know, but so good)
Liberon wax polish - it is a thing of wonder
Lots of other things which I cant remember the brands of but will check next time - biscuits which look really boring but are actually divinely buttery, some fab shampoo, shower gel

Oh and if you can shove any furniture in your car (ditch the children if necessary ), go to your local brocante. We've bought no end of furniture including two beautiful antique fireside chairs for 30 euros each (could probably have negotiated down) and an antique buffet for 30 euros.

Melatonin
Slimming pills
Sugar flavoured yogurts

Melatonin is a good call (but use with caution!) but I wouldn't touch those slimming pills with a bargepole. (Especially not in conjunction with sugar flavoured yoghurts! )

I think they are just seaweed! They work (make you feel fuller) though. The sugar yogurts are divine.

Not food related but is it possible to get trade magnolia paint in France and how do I explain to the decorator?

@endofthelinefinally I might have an answer for paint but got to put the kids to bed now. I'll answer properly later!

Thanks Bandol, that is really kind of you.