Where to purchase groceries
Hello there! This is our family's first visit to Paris and we will be staying in the 7th district. We would like to know what the best options are for buying groceries to take back to our hotel. Thank you!
Elizabeth
Brush Prairie 2/10/13
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The 7th covers a large area. I would just look around when you get there and you're bound to find a grocery store. You could always ask at your hotel. Be aware that some hotels could have a policy of not allowing food in the room.
Elizabeth there are grocery type stores all over Paris, you will definately find them, Monoprixs , Franprix, and Carrefours as well as markets, and small corner type stores..
As noted some hotels don't want people to bring food back into rooms, so just be discreet. I personally have never had a problem or been stopped by desk staff, but I have heard some of Rick Steves recommended hotels do have a "no food" policy. As I said, most hotels are fine with you bringing in some beverages , and I always pick up some yogurst and cheese / crackers etc. Do not however try cooking in your room unless it has a proper kitchenette.
It was pointed out that by saying "be discreet" it would seem I am suggesting you break the rules , but I am not advocating that, I have never stayed in a hotel with a stated no food policy, but if you are, ( sometimes they have sign in lobby or in room) they I would suggest you limit what you bring to room as just beverages. Personally I would not stay in such a hotel .
Franprix, which we usually use, has a store locater on their website. Enter Paris 75007 for the 7th. Here it is:
http://www.franprix.fr/localiser-votre-magasin/rechercher/?store_locator_form%5Bsearch%5D=75007
We like to picnic in our room on occasion. Sometimes you need a break from that wonderful restaurant food.
Rue Cler is a grocery mecca. If your in the 7th it is the place to go.
Thank you all so much for your input!
We stayed in the 7th on Rue de Varenne several years ago. Our hotel room had a small fridge and there were lots of places on the street to buy great food. Just remember that the shops close early, so don't plan to shop there in the evening
Elizabeth,
If you are staying in the Rue Cler neighborhood, there is actually a very nice little grocery store at the end of the block past the Ulysses crepe stand on the right. Forgot it's name, but I do remember that they were open until around midnight when i was there in July of 2010. Also, there prices were quite reasonable.
Can't say about the seventh. There are little grociers here and there or you can junp on the metro and go to a Carrefour. It is massive grocery chain. They have monster locations in the suburbs - one we visited by metro or bus in the 1990s. Also Carrefour has smaller stores in the more crowded parts of big European cites. Haven't back to Paris in a little over a decade. Just go the web and check out Carrefour and Auchon. If these two folks don't have a foot hold in the market I suggest a soup kitchen.
Rick sends everyone to Rue Care. It wins for cute. I like the prices of the chains however.
But there are street markets all over Paris, Rue Cler is only one, and not the cheapest one for sure !