Carrefour France - what shall I buy?

[Parkmama]

I’m going to France next week, what gems in Carrefour should I buy?

All the cheese!

Proper mustards and mayonnaise
carambar sweeties

Lustucru cheese filled gnocchi from the fridge section. I think its called gnocchi a poeler - to cook it you fry until crispy. You're welcome.

Trianon. We live in France, and I have to limit them

I don't think there's much else tbh, the local markets are a much better bet for decent produce.

You might want to check the current restrictions around things like cheese. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0qn7jzj3qgo.amp

You can't bring meat, dairy or fruit back into the UK at the moment but fill up on all the cheeses and cured meats when you are there. I always bring back some of the big bottles of inexpensive cologne and bars of soap. Mustard is a good call, also the cans of drink syrup, I particularly like the mojito one.

A huge apple tart 😍
I tend to go with…
all of the cheese and always epericubes!
some petit marseillais shower gel
some nice bakery bits
Sauvignon & Viognier…
but always add something I’ve spotted in these threads.

Plenty of sirop. I come home with piles of the lemon ones.

Petit Marseillais soaps, luxury biccies, Brets Crisps, Benenuts Cachuetes, Bon Maman Jams, high end tinned tuna, sardines and mackerel.

Sadly at present (as of 16 April) there is a ban on bringing meat and dairy products into the UK from the EU so saucissons, butter and fromage aren’t an option for bringing home. You’ll just have to get your fill of these goodies while you are there!

If you want some bargains, go to Noz. It's an absolute jumble sale, but wine, snacks, ice cream, clothes, cosmetics, homewares are all mega cheap. I bought a Didriksons coat for €39 last year. And some Swedish face cream that was €30 down to €2. It's a store that buys up bankrupt stock, last year's stuff, food that may be nearer it's sell by date. It's an experience...

Marseille soap washing powder and fabric conditioner

Jars of riste aubergines - eat cold, or hot, with charcuterie or stirred into pasta. I love it so much I eat it on toast …

The carrier bags! I know that sounds crazy but their bags for life are enormous and sturdy and so so useful. They’re better than any I’ve seen in the UK.

Tinned confit duck and flageolet beans.
Large jars of Maille cornichons fins.

Carambar sweets… cheese.. wine.. cordial

Lu Chamonix biscuits
Petit Marseille soap
Bonne Maman chestnut spread
Flan
Lemon tarts
Dried prunes

What’s it like? I love their toiletries range - had no idea they did a laundry range!

Olive oil
Herbes de Provence
Sirop de grenadine
Sablé biscuits
Chlorophyll and apricot chewing gums

Not sure it’s the same range but it’s laundry products with the scent of Marseille soap. The smell is divine.

I probably wouldn't buy olive oil from a supermarket here at the moment, it's so much more expensive than in the UK, unless you're after something specific. If you seek out small producers (or even tourist offices), you can often buy amazing local oils. We buy organic colza from one of our village farms for €5 a litre. Also their organic apple juice which is likes nothing you'll ever find at home. The tourist offices will sell the local stuff too, but if you keep your eyes open when out and about you'll see signs for local farms selling direct. And of course there will be -at least weekly - markets in every small town.

Carrefour patisserie is ok, but (apart from Trianon!), not up to the standard of small bakeries.

Le Petit Marseillaise bath products are lovely, and smell great, as mentioned above. If you like jam, Léonce Blanc is wonderful, better than Bonne Maman.

I like the cheap harissa that comes in yellow tubes (the brand might be Phare?).

Also mayo made with Dijon mustard and lots of delicious organic cider.

Russian earl grey!

I’m salivating at this thread and not even planning on going to France.

A couple of bottles of this for my kids please, if you’re taking orders 😉

https://www.carrefour.fr/p/sirop-fraise-reflets-de-france-3560071000288

KNORR - Bouquet Garni cubes. Best ones I have used and bought them last year in Carrefour and daughter is in Paris this week and been warned not to come home without any. You can buy them on Amazon but they are expensive.