Trip to Auchan - what to buy?

[Confitofduckand]

DC kept coming home from Y1 French club with questions about French food. So I thought that I would take them to France (to Auchan, to be precise: un hypermarché).

Ignoring the dc at this point, what should I buy? How will 2023 be improved by my having kicked it off with a trip to Auchan?

I haven’t been to France for such a long time … do they still do jars of stews? Do they have nice shampoos? Is it good value?

I only have a tiny freezer, so I like jars and tins to go in the cupboards …I am really hoping that someone can point me in the right direction!

I'd buy some nice vinegars for salad, some barquette biscuit type things (the LU brand I think), some compotes in jars, mustard.

Never tried things like veg or stews in jars, as MIL makes everything from scratch!

I’d be buying tins of confit duck legs. Lots of them.

La fermière yoghurts, Haribo dragibus (can't get them in Uk), kinder Choco Fresh (they're refrigerated), proper baguettes, bavette steaks, Schweppes agrum, Vico monster munch (crisps), le petit marseillais shower gels & hand soaps
Vive la France ! 🇫🇷

Confit de canard with the potatoes in.
Cremant de Bourgogne.
Cassis liqueur.
Mimolette vielle cheese.

Syrup for making juice/squash

A non drinker here. I used to buy loads of mustard,the ones where you end up with a glass afterwards,but I believe there has been a problem.getting the mustard. Used to live the grated carrot a d celeriac remoulade- celeriac. The quatre quarts cake like an all butter long loaf cake is yummy too. Bonnes vacances🙂

There's lots can't bring back from France post Brexit, including meat and dairy. Worth checking before you go.

I keep seeing those tins of duck but I'm never sure..dont really like meat in a tin and they are expensive at €11!

It's the other way round
We can't take dairy etc into Europe but can freely bring whatever back

I'd bring cheese sirop nice yoghurts/ puddings/ some patisserie and have a look in the homeware section

Nice soaps too

For crisps it has to be Brett's Jura cheese ones..

If you're going to France cami recommend the Auchan in Arras. About a 45-60 mins drive from Cala

Calais. And also a rather gorgeous town to spend the day in!

If you go before 30th Dec... Arras Christmas Market

Also Lays Paprika flavour and yes to the Le Petite Marseilles soaps etc.

There are also boxes of little savoury biscuits to have with an aperitif.

Champagne - the ones at the €15 mark are often fantastic. And/or Cremant.

Deets for Auchan in Arras https://www.auchan.fr/magasins/hypermarche/arras/s-69 It's an enormous one, and great for wine. We never shop in any of the supermarkets closer to Calais because the wine is never as good (according to our French cousins!)

I love the Auchan near Lille, used to go monthly to it. Now we live abroad but every time I am back to visit relatives, I also make a trip to that Auchan. in general I buy spices, siropen, wine, home goods, lovely shower gel, smoked garlic, cheese and cookies. Unfortunately, I cannot buy perishables as my home country is too far away with all travelling that I cannot keep them cold sufficiently but otherwise I would buy their delimeats and yoghurts. Also stop and buy a sandwich, I love their baguette and pain au chocolat.

Oh my goodness! Thank you, Mumsnet! I just knew that you would come through on this!

It is the one near Boulogne that I was thinking of. I seem to remember that it is fairly huge (although memories are vague!). We are only going to go to Boulogne to show dc what France is, really!

… but Arras can be next time. Thanks @Gooseysgirl That’s really kind. We have recently moved to the South-East, so France is a bit more local and we can perhaps start planning more visits!

… and we clearly need to take some cool bags for cheese!

I keep seeing those tins of duck but I'm never sure..dont really like meat in a tin and they are expensive at €11!

They aren’t like meat in a tin you’d get here - whole duck legs, confit in duck fat absolutely beautiful. You cook them in the oven and serve with a crisp green salad and a dry white wine. Honestly worth the price and as far from corned beef as you could hope to get.

Nooooooon, confit d'oignons !

Placemarking

Agreed, they’re really good. Great for an easy but fancy tea. We’ve also picked up the cans of dauphinois potatoes too to go with it.

Cans of dauphinois potatoes @RAINSh0wers ???!!! Now we’re talking.

I also agree about the tins of confit du canard - the ultimate decadent midweek dinner. Sublime!

You could also have a look at this thread which has been running for over a year.
www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/4394341-French-supermarket-must-buy
Not specifically Auchan, but hopefully useful nonetheless.

We're driving through France in a couple of weeks. Need to start making a list. Can't wait.

We’ve also picked up the cans of dauphinois potatoes too to go with it.

Ah I may need a trip to France…