Christmas shopping - French supermarkets

[nappybrain]

Hello I know there are Mumsnetters expert on this sort of question so would appreciate some pointers...what is worth buying and bringing back from France for Christmas ie from supermarket or as gifts?? So I can stock my trolley and load up the car boot!

Carrefour at Cite de l'Europe, Calais. We called there in late November last year and bought:

Cheese - about 6 different kinds. Camembert was perfect by Christmas.
Salamis/sausages etc. Most store really well or you can freeze - these are all great for anti pasti plates at Christmas - just need some good bread to go with them.
Dijon (we use lots of this so bought about 4 x 250gm jars)
Boxes of chocs - they had fab boxes of Lindt chocs which aren't commonly available over here and very reasonably priced.
Lots of different jams - i.e. cherry and apricot.
Choc spread - like Nutella but not.
Pates (they keep well, but you can put them in the freezer for Christmas.
Butter - DH loves Normandy butter and it is much cheaper in France, so we stock up and store in freezer.
Also beautiful crystallized fruit, dried fruit and turkish delight.
I love French yoghurts, so stocked up on some of those.
We also bought a few bits and pieces for stocking fillers for all the smaller children in the family - getting sweeties with French writing on them is pretty exciting!
And don't forget the wine....... we found the Tescos at Cite de l'Europe pretty competitive pricewise.

city europe is good - but the exchange rate has gone against us so do check prices.

Cheese and wine should be ok - ish on price. Usually find tesco cheaper than carrefore for wine and beer - but check both when you are there.

There is a really lovely samur sparkling for around £3.50-4 a bottle (basicle champoo)

perfume is cheaper in the supermarkets (own good brands)
baby clothes are good
70% chocolate is cheaper or used to be

like the clothes in coty europe

Can get quite a few exotic European-type things at Lidl without going to France. Although why wouldn't you want to go, come to think of it. Maybe with exchange rate as it is, you could buy at Lidl and just go to France for fun?

Remember baby clothes are smaller in France. DD wears 12-18 months English but 2yrs French.

thanks everyone all really helpful...