Welcome to another episode of my “How to Eat Like a Parisian” series.
In this video, I’ll show you where Parisians actually buy their food.
Unlike in many countries, most people in Paris don’t shop for everything in one supermarket.
Instead, food shopping is often divided between specialist shops: bakeries, cheese shops, butcher shops, fishmongers, greengrocers, markets and sometimes supermarkets.
Let me take you through the real Paris food ecosystem and show you how locals actually shop for their ingredients.
If you want to eat like a Parisian, understanding where people buy their food is the first step.
Timeline
00:00 Intro
00:35 The Boulangerie – Bread, the Heart of Daily Life
02:45 The Fromagerie – Cheese specialists
03:55 The Boucherie – Where you get the best meat
05:42 The Poissonnerie – Fish and seafood
06:54 Other food specialist shops -Greengrocers, Delis & Wine Merchants
09:18 Food markets – A Parisian ritual
10:19 Supermarkets – Convenience and everyday shopping
12:20 The Luxury food stores – Gourmet Food Temples
12:52 Conclusion
Other Videos in the Series
▶️ How to Eat Like a Parisian – Paris Restaurant Etiquette: https://youtu.be/VKy43TZmkOg
▶️ How to Eat Like a Parisian – Cafés, Brasseries, Bouillons & Bistrots: https://youtu.be/JfFzB4-MGFI
▶️ How to Eat Like a Parisian – Paris Food Myths: https://youtu.be/5r8vrfDlKUU
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21 Comments
I was in Paris for the month of December. My apartment was in St Germain on Rue de Seine. Cheese is my favorite food and Paris didn't disappoint. I'll be returning at the end of April for a week and staying near the Precope. Thank you for these videos, they helped me so much when visiting Paris.
Bonjour. I appreciate the insight into weekly life in Paris. Plenty of variety of ingredients when foregoing the supermarché. Glad to see you’re not out of luck if you miss the two market days in the neighborhood. Merci.
💙🤍♥️
I'm a Swedish baker. That time I went to Paris, I only knew about one specific Boulangerie – Poilane.
Is that a well known Boulangerie in Paris?
As spring is arriving how about a list of the top picnic spots or on how to stock up for a picnic.
Comme d'hab, une vidéo très appétissante …
Nice video ! But Ni××las no, please ! There are so many good independent wine shops !!!
Merci Alain, for this lovely breakdown of the various places to experience the Parisian food life. I really loved the way you highlighted them. Great job as always.
I went to Laurent Dubois for cheese, as it was recommended to me by a very nice waiter–excellent cheeses
We always hire a flat in the 11th near the Marche d’Aligre where we can wander every day to select just the right ingredients for the day’s meals. It is like ‘the thrill of the hunt’; we always find new products that make our meals exciting! For shopping in Paris is a daily pleasure. Being there from early November through Christmas ensures that we can enjoy all the festive specialties!❤️
That is a good one. 🙂
It is a lovely video. I see that you have white asparagus in the market already 😋
I like how I can even ask for half a baguette in Paris, unlike other cities. Just the food quality and variety makes me want to move to Paris! Americans try to buy eggs from hens that only eat what they find in nature. We can only really find these from farmers markets or directly from farms. Picard seems to have the best deals on ice cream.
Really enjoy your videos. Thank you for putting in all that work! Much appreciated!
Excellent! I enjoy going to the Paris markets with my son in law. One place for a fish, but another for mussels. Three different places for different vegetables. Etc. Similarly, one Boulangerie for its artisanal baguettes, but another for macaroons.
I also enjoy a lunch from a local Boulanger or, either at tables there or to take out. Sandwiches, quiche of the day, drink and—of course—desert.
Tres bien. I suggest you also explain the word/shop patisserie and the difference from boulangerie. I know, but suspect many don't. A shop where cake, cookies and everything between are made. But you probably have a better explanation. And creperie for "pancakes" and galettes. Some places have it all.
This is how I shop in Alabama, with exceptionally high quality meat, fish, poultry and vegetables. The one difference is that except for fish, I buy directly from individual farmers, rather than at a store. The one thing that requires a trip to a major city, sadly, is cheese.
Cheese tours with wine tasting to match the chosen cheese; patisserie tours; boulangerie tours; chocolat tours……so much fun, very tasty and educational.
Sehr schön präsentiert ! Es gibt für jeden Geschmack etwas …. 🤩
Great video, Alain, as always. I really enjoyed it.
I shopped with my 🇫🇷 belle mère like this. There were 2 other types of stores she shopped at: a crémerie & triperie. 😳 It was a running joke with us to go to the triperie because she knew I was horrified by organ meat.
Alain, this video is a total tease job!!!The very first thing we do upon arriving in Paris is go to Laurent Dubois, along with an open market, along one of our favorite, boulangerie, charcuterie and wine shops. I have often told my wife that if we hit the lottery, I am buying an apartment a short walk to the Bon Marche Grand Epicerie! I am eternally jealous!
Alain, I’m so happy you covered Picard. It’s my favorite chain in Paris.