A day in CALAIS - what shall we buy?!

[Shortysoso]

We are off to CALAIS for an overnight. We’ll get wine for Christmas but what else is worth buying in Carrefour? Or nice shops in Calais itself?

It’s a bit early to buy Christmas cheese, although we’ll get some to eat now obvs.
What should we look out for? Kids are teens, girls, anything to float their boat?

Christmas pressie inspiration?

And if anyone can recommend somewhere for dinner (we’re thinking steak frites, mussels, maybe a fish soup, oh, a proper French fish soup )
All reconditions gratefully received.

Confit de canard tins

A ticket back home

Ha ha don’t worry we have return tickets.

Good tip Elizabethinhergermangarden (loved that book, have just given it to DD to read. Have you read her dog book?! Is it as good?!)

Thank you both

We like Gaufres Dunkerquoises.
They do ppresentation tins at this time of year.

Ooh is that the book by HG Wells' lover?

I haven't read that one - must check it out. I loved The Enchanted April too, though - worth revisiting.

Bertrand Russell's, I thought, but not sure

Sorry, a bit 'hors piste'...
Maroilles cheese makes nice cheese on toast.
Ecume de Wimereux is a local soft cheese, not too strong.

The really good flavours of jam. Mirabelle, myrtilles, cérises griottes....
I got multipacks of lavazza coffee in the summer for a song (can’t remember how much). And illy Nespresso pods - v tasty.
Dried mushrooms.

Ooh yes, mirabelle jam! And stationery from Intermarche - they do the best homework diaries for kids.

Bottles of interesting liqueur, so you can make Kir style drinks but with other fruits such as raspberry or flowers such as rose or violet/

Aperitifs you don't often see in UK such as Suze.

Tins of cassoulet, jars of fish soup.

The DOP shower gels come in fun flavours like Haribo, Madeleine, strawberry tart, cola bottles etc and make great stocking fillers for teens and kids. Le Petit Marseillaise toiletries are lovely and come in more sophisticated scents.

As above the tins of confit de canard. Fish soup in glass bottles. All easy to transport.

When I go to France i always buy a couple of bottles of Savon de Marseille laundry detergent. Sad, i Know, but it reminds me of France.

Ooh such good advice, thank you!

I’m getting everything you recommend. My mouth is watering.

We’re gonna need a bigger car.

Wonder if the DCs would mind staying home with the dog . . .

I need to go to France! I would happily travel to another country to go to the supermarket. It's the best. Have a great time OP.

I was toying with making some duck confit but why bother when there are tins?! Oh happy day.

I do love an overseas supermarket. Tells you all you need to know about a place.

We went to Calais a not so long ago and are going back soon.

If I'm honest, there wasn't really anything that caught my eye in Carrefour. I found It too big to walk around aimlessly. It felt like waking into a big Tesco Extra and not knowing where to start. Much of the foods you can buy equivalent products in the U.K. anyway. When we go back, I'm going to target a few key aisles eg Christmas foods, jars and see what takes my fancy.

In Cite Europe, check out Sephora for make up and accessories for your daughters. Cite Europe has a lot of lingerie shops, so you could checkout the nightwear (can't remember if it's age appropriate stuff though).

Oooo could you grab me a large bottle of this please! I’ll be forever in your debt 😁

This :

Les Pyrénéens chocolates - chocolates that feel "cool" in your mouth that you can only get at Christmas. Disclaimer: since I last ate them they have been bought out by Lindt although they are still made in France.

What is it?! So good you posted it twice. I’m sold!

Ooh special Christmas Chocs?! Only in France (never let the facts get in the way of an aspirational shopping dream). Lindt; bah humbug.

Visit Maison du Monde. They have the most fabulous Christmas decorations, I think they do gifts too.

It’s mint liqueur! Creme de menthe basically! It’s really expensive here and v v b hard to find. It’s really popular in France and cheap! They love a digestif 😁