A guide to supermarkets in Paris
When it comes to the age-old struggle between eating in and dining out, Paris is no exception. Restaurants are top-notch, with prices to match. Cooking your own meals (if you’re lucky enough to have access to a kitchen) or even picnicking outside will save you loads of euros.
However, tourists might find it difficult to navigate the many chains of supermarkets in Paris. Here are the names of Paris supermarkets to know if you’re ready to visit a supermarché.
Franprix
The chain with the most supermarkets in Paris, Franprix has at least one store in almost every neighborhood. Stores carry the brand “Leader Price,” one of the cheapest store brands available. Franprix offers decent produce, frozen selections and general grocery needs. Many locations are even open on Sundays and until 10 p.m. at night! This is by far the most popular supermarket choice.
Carrefour
The Walmart of France, Carrefour offers a huge variety of brand name and generic goods. Smaller Carrefour markets within Paris and larger Carrefour superstores just outside of the city limits are sure to please the most ardent grocery store addict.
Picard
While not the cheapest place to shop, Picard does offer an excellent selection of exclusively frozen goods (this is a good market if you have a freezer). You can get almost anything frozen for reasonable prices, considering the great quality. We recommend sampling the cupcakes at these Paris supermarkets.
Monoprix
Whenever anyone asks where to buy something, Monoprix is usually a good answer. Comparable to Target in the US, Monoprix also doubles as a great grocery store with inexpensive Monoprix brand products. Every arrondissement has at least one large Monoprix store in addition to smaller shops, called Monop’ Daily, for a quick sandwich or can of beans.
Additional tips
Other Paris supermarkets to look out for include G20 and Coopérative U stores. And while not always as cheap, bodegas and corner markets sell small selections of food at reasonable prices (and stay open late!).
Be warned that most grocery stores close before 9 or 10 p.m. and—apart from a handful of Franprix stores—are rarely open on Sunday. Store brands are consistently cheaper than name brands, though the quality is not remarkably different. Plus, brands such as Leader Price and Monoprix now offer organic goods, so even organic shoppers can find a deal!
Your experience with Paris supermarkets
Do you have a favorite grocery store or supermarket in Paris? Tell us about it!
About the author
Which hotels have walking distance Monoprix or Auchan or other?
I adore Franprix! There is one in the Place du Marché Saint-Honoré, next door to a public lavenderie. We had a B & B in the Avenue de l’Opera with a galley kitchen, so we saved a fortune buying groceries and fixing our own meals.
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I think Auchan is cheaper than even Monoprix, it has great reductions and even non-discounted things are cheap, definitely way cheaper than Franprix.
When I was in Paris, in May of 2010, I loved to shop at the Franprix store in the neighborhood…there was so much variety, and I particularly like the small loaves of French bread on sale for 0.50 euros…I will be back…
Thanks for the tip, Steve!
While the sheer size of Carrefour sometimes freaks me out, it was the first mega-store I’ve ever visited where employees rode around in rollerblades. And very stylish ones, too, I might add.
Bring your own plastic bags when going to the supermarket.
Shopping in Paris has always been one of my favorite activities. I’ve been to a couple of these but definitely some new ideas here. Thanks Bryan, well done.