What are the main homeware shops in France?

[BoogleMcGroogle]

We have taken over a family chalet in France and are trying to get it habitable. Now we've removed FIL's greying pants and the worst of the mouse damage, some unchewed lamps and odourless rugs would be nice. We can't spend much, as we need to pay for stuff like tree removal and rewiring (eek!). So I'm wondering what the main, cheapish homeware shops are called? Equivalent to Dunelm and The Range, that we might find in a provincial town. Our main towns are Thonon-les-Bains and Evian, so not big. The nearest Ikea is 1.5 hrs away, past Geneva. Any help much appreciated 🙂

Honestly, I’d set a day a side and go to Ikea or bring as much as you can from the UK.

The equivalent of dunelm and the range don’t really exist but you can pick up some nice bits in Monoprix (mainly decorative items rather than furniture). There is also Fly, Conforama, Casa, Basika.
I do find these pretty expensive and lower quality than Ikea though.

It’s worth checking for a ‘troc’ or emmaus - second hand but can get some decent stuff sometimes.

Also Le Bon Coin which is like gumtree and Facebook market place could be useful.

La Foir'Fouille are quite good- like The Range I guess, if you have one locally. I think they hsvd about 250 stores in France. If you’re stuck, I’d look in the biggest supermarkets in your area, ours sell home wares at reasonable prices- especially Auchan and Cora. Also Lidl, but that is very much hit and miss- just as it is at home.

Maisons du Monde!

a hyper marche will have everything - some of it is pretty good.

Maisons du Monde! Love it. There is one in Thonon too. The Ikea in Geneva (Vernier) generally has everything in stock, so worth taking the time to make a list and head down there.

My MIL (French) is addicted to le Bon Coin and has picked up some bargains on it, so worth having a look online at that too.

We are opposite you on the Swiss side of the lake

La Four Fouille and Gifi for budget household stuff.

Thanks everyone. We are heading down to Thonon now. Delta are you in Lausanne? If so, I can probably see your lights twinkling at night. We are in Thollon 🙂.

Next tine, we will stop at the Dijon Ikea on the way through.

The Dijon Ikea is really easy to get to from the Motorway - less than 10 mins.

Leroy Merlin are very good for lighting & curtains.

try Centrakor.

Nyon

Friends have the same problem, they say things are way too expensive for what they are. Bring as much as possible over from the UK (crockery, a BBQ for example).

Thanks everyone. We made it to Fly and Maisons du Minde and have several new lamps, throws and rugs as well as more mundane stuff like a shower curtain and some very random tat the kids snuck in. It cost 350 Euro! Next time, I’ll be following the advice to go to Ikea on the way here. Because our local Ikea is in Switzerland, they sadly won’t deliver across the border. Sofas and outside furnishings are therefore an adventure for next time. Luckily our local Super U has good cookware, so that’s the outing tomorrow. I’ve spent this evening tackling a very grubby kitchen, but I’ve been promised a fondue tomorrow, so it’s not all bad.

You're welcome 😊 First fondue of the season? It's still a bit warm yet for me to crack it open!

Alinea sells nice stuff. A bit like Ikea but a little bit more stylish.

No no Boogle - leave the greying underpants as a statement piece!

I love Maisons du Monde. Miss going to France on a regular basis.

Another one for Centrakor, also Action, their stock changes weekly. Plates and things like that I would use supermarkets/IKEA and brocantes. Love Maison du Monde and Casa can also have some nice things. Gifi is cheap but not brilliant quality. Keep your eye out for Lidl special offers, I think most of my pans come from there.