Any French hypermarket experts?

[Hidingplace]

Hi, travelling shortly from Calais to Belgium (via Bruges). Normally stock up at Cite Europe on the way through (although we normally travel in France). However, have seen in forums people saying Cite Europe is really price hikes for tourists (alternatives offered are further down through France). Anyone know of any other really decent hypermarkets between Calais and Bruges? A very niche question I know! Thanks 😊

Loads - just find a nice Leclerc along the way and fill your boots!

Go on Google maps and find the area and then do a ‘nearby search”

easy peasy!

I mean put In supermarkets in the nearby search, Google will find them all for you

Google maps is comprehensive and will be better for you as we don’t know your preferred route. It will have opening times etc. lots of Carrefours on that route, so pick the one that suits

Any Leclerc SuperU or Carrefour

Yes, I’ve seen some near Dunkirk. I’ve done this before but you can’t always gage how big they are - I like a really big one 😂We always loved a L’eclerc further down France but have been caught out with rubbish ones before, haha! Hence why I go to Cite Europe on way home as I know what to expect but tourist prices make sense.

Hi The Auchan at Grande Synthe. It also has petrol www.auchan.fr/magasins/hypermarche/auchan-hypermarche-dunkerque-grande-synthe/s-11

If you click on the Google map link it will tell you whether it is a hyper market or not and the facilities it has.

Thank you, I will be sure to check Google. Thanks @Toothlessisgreat - this one looks the most obvious for the route we are taking. Never been to an Auchan before!

As someone who grew up in Calais, I'd second Auchans recommended by@Toothlessisgreat (especially over stepping foot in cite Europe), you have one in Coquelles (village literally the other side of the motorway from Cite Europe). But if you are travelling to Belgium then Grande Synthe probably makes more sense, especially if travelling by ferry as the port is Dunkirk side of Calais.

Thanks Calais 2024! I love Cite Europe as I’ve been going since I was a child but do recognise it’s prob not the best place plus all the other shops distract me! We are actually getting the Eurotunnel, I thought maybe the Dunkirk one might be good as I find the Calais area confusing (once ended up in a lorry loading section when trying to get to the eurotunnel!) Is one store better than the other do you think?

It's an Auchan Hypermarket so will be almost identical inside. Make life easier for yourself and get straight onto the motorway🙂

Thanks! I’m going to do that. Appreciate your help!

I was just popping in to say Auchan in Coquelles. I do most of my shopping there, and maybe pop in to Cite Europe for anything I can't get there.

Definitely the one recommended by @Toothlessisgreat. It's huge plus it has a fab Flunch which is much better than the one at Cité Europe.

We visit Bruges quite often, and can recommend the Carrefour a few miles outside, at B Park

https://winkels.carrefour.be/nl/s/carrefour/hypermarkt-carrefour-brugge-b-park/602

Has a nice cafe upstairs too (Lunch Garden).

Great for Belgian beer and mayonnaise 🤣

We used the Grande Synthe one in May and the one in Coquelles in June. Really good and plenty of things to choose from. I could have spent hours at the cheese and charcutrie section.

Thank you for all the personal recommendations and @OliveHenry this is great to know as my OH loves Belgian Beer and I’m partial to one or two! And @reluctantbrit i can spend hours in a French hypermarket! i’ve always loved them and hate food shopping at home!

T@Hidingplace
Where did you go in the end? We’re going to Dunkirk for the weekend soon so I’m interested in your recommendations. Is Auchan the best supermarket in Dunkirk?