Top Supermarkets In France
France is a food enthusiast’s paradise, thanks to its rich history, stunning architecture, and iconic sights. Good food can be found in cafes, Michelin-starred restaurants, local supermarkets, and grocery stores throughout France.
Inside, you’ll find aisles and shelves filled with exciting flavors worldwide, including cheeses, chocolates, truffles, and wine. Plus, you won’t get enough of an assortment of health, beauty, and lifestyle products.
If you’re visiting France, you most likely want to bring all those French goodies home.
And, if you’re planning to move to France, it can be daunting to pick your go-to supermarket for your supplies. Which supermarket carries the best brands?
Which ones offer great discounts? Here is our guide for everything you know about French supermarkets and grocery stores.
There are many different supermarket and grocery chains in France, and most of them operate around the country, but there are some main differences between the regions.
As a result, the selection that is available to choose from in your immediate vicinity might not be comprehensive. The following are some of the most popular supermarkets and grocery stores in France.
Guide To French Supermarkets And Grocery Stores
| Supermarkets | Type |
| Auchan | Large Retail Supermarkets |
| Carrefour | Large Retail Supermarkets |
| Grand Frais | Large Retail Supermarkets |
| Intermarche | Large Retail Supermarkets |
| Leclerc | Large Retail Supermarkets |
| Monoprix | Large Retail Supermarkets |
| Lidl | Discount Supermarkets |
| Aldi | Discount Supermarkets |
| NaturéO | Specialty Supermarkets |
| Biocoop | Specialty Supermarkets |
| M&S Food | Specialty Supermarkets |
Auchan
Auchan is a retail chain specializing in larger-format stores and operates approximately 2,000 locations across the country. It places the majority of its supermarkets and hypermarkets in areas that are outside of the primary cities.
One benefit of this is that French grocery stores tend to be relatively large, which can provide more competitive pricing. Today, it is one of the largest supermarkets in all of France.
Carrefour
This French retailer is one of the largest grocery store chains in the whole wide world. It has over 5,000 retail locations throughout France, ranging from compact shopping centers to sprawling hypermarkets in rural areas.
This French international firm specializes in retail and wholesale trade, and its headquarters are in Massy, France. It is the ninth largest retailer in terms of revenue worldwide.
As of January 2021, it operates a retail chain that includes hypermarkets, grocery stores, and convenience stores across more than 30 countries, with 12,225 locations.
Grand Frais
Founded in 1992, the Grand Frais network of supermarkets is one of the oldest in France. It is famous for its extensive selection of fresh products and necessities worldwide.
The layout of Grand Frais supermarkets is similar to that of covered markets. These markets each contain five distinct sections, including fruit and vegetables, groceries from around the world, butchers, fishmongers, and dairy products.
There is one Grand Frais supermarket in Belgium in addition to the 216 that is located in France. You won’t find a Grand Frais in the city of Paris, but there is one in the suburb of Fresnes, which is located in the south of the city.
Intermarché
Intermarché is the brand name of a general-commercial French supermarket subsidiary of the large retail group Les Mousquetaires. Jean-Pierre Le Roch established the business in 1969 under the name EX Offices. In 1972, the store formerly known as EX Offices became known as Intermarché.
There are approximately 2,000 Intermarché stores around the country, so it’s unlikely that you’ll ever be too far from one, regardless of whether you’re looking for a supermarket or a hypermarket.
Leclerc
Leclerc is a hypermarket chain operating in France since it was established in 1949. It is a common fact that it is one of the most affordable supermarkets in France, with over 700 outlets throughout the country.
Most of these French grocery stores are located outside the principal cities. Let us look at an interesting fact about Leclerc. A study found that the prices at Leclerc were higher in the province of Île-de-France (the region where Paris is located) and in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.
Monoprix
The headquarters of the French retail company Monoprix SA is located in Clichy, Hauts-de-Seine, France, which is close to Paris. The company’s retail locations provide a wide variety of goods, including those related to fashion, beauty, and the home.
The quality of Monoprix’s products, from everyday groceries to its fashion line and homewares, is excellent, so the prices tend to be on the pricier end of the spectrum. The stores of Monoprix are also of a size that customers find to be relatively comfortable.
In addition to Leader Price, Casino, and Match, there are a significant number of additional grocery chains located throughout France. The location has a significant role in determining the accessibility of these retail establishments.
Discount Supermarkets In France
Over the past decade, discount shops in France have seen their market share grow, reflecting a trend in many other European countries. The following are some of the most prominent discount supermarkets in France:
Lidl
Lidl French SupermarketLidl French Supermarket
This German bargaining chain is well-known throughout Europe for carrying various affordable items. The merchandise is in cardboard boxes, and customers can take advantage of weekly deals.
Although Lidl does not carry as many name-brand products as other supermarkets do, the retailer sells its store-brand goods at prices much lower than those of its competitors.
There are currently around 1500 Lidl locations in France, with approximately 15 stores in Paris alone.
Aldi
Aldi French SupermarketAldi French Supermarket
Another German supermarket business that has conquered the French market is Aldi, which was founded in 1946. It is Lidl’s primary rival and is organized in a manner comparable to Lidl’s.
Additionally, it has around the same number of stores, with over 1400 in total across France. The fact that the company strives to make shopping easy and reasonable for its customers is one of the fundamental reasons it is so successful in France.
Specialty Supermarkets In France
A specialty supermarket in France is an excellent choice to visit if you’re looking for a more specialized shopping experience while in the country. These stores have product selections that are more narrowly targeted and include:
NaturéO
This organic store now operates somewhere around 50 supermarkets across the country. A wide variety of fresh and dry organic products are available at the stores.
Biocoop
Biocoop French SupermarketBiocoop French Supermarket
Over 600 organic food outlets are owned and operated by this cooperative of organic food retailers. Across France, these supermarkets have become known for specializing in organic, regional, and seasonal fare.
M&S Food
The British department store Marks & Spencer has a few standalone food stores in the French capital of Paris. These stores can be found in convenient local locations and carry foods from around the world, including Britain.
Store Schedule
French supermarkets and grocery stores have resisted the trend of staying open around the clock. Instead, most supermarkets and grocers (of any size) will open at 08:00 and shut at 20:00 or 21:00. Larger cities typically have supermarkets with later closing times.
Know that on Sundays, most French supermarkets are closed. Some open in the morning but close by lunchtime. This is why you should either do your food shopping on Saturday or plan on eating out on Sunday.
Guide To French Supermarkets: What You Need To Know
There are some important things you should know before you go on a shopping spree at a local grocery or supermarket:
Observe The Store Hours
Be aware that the hours at which French supermarkets are open may differ. Most shops are closed on Sundays. However, you may find some open early in the day.
Prices May Vary
Prices at certain supermarkets are determined on a franchise basis rather than at the corporate level. Due to competition across outlets selling the same brand, prices may fluctuate even within the same chain during the high season.
Bring Your Bags
France is only one of many European countries that have banned the distribution of plastic shopping bags in supermarkets. Many residents opt to bring their bags, and those who forget can always purchase reusable ones at the cashier.
French Supermarkets And Grocery Stores Don’t Sell Cigarettes Or Medicines
You can not get your hands on prescription drugs at a French grocery store; instead, you’ll need to visit the local pharmacy. If you’re looking for tobacco products, you’ll need to visit a tobacco shop instead.
Bring A Euro Coin To Use In A Shopping Cart
You should bring one euro coin to unlock a shopping cart from the chain. A coin or token is required to unlock the cart, but it is returned to you when you put back the cart and lock it.
Sign Up For A Loyalty Card
Register for store loyalty cards if you spend more than a week or two in France. One of the best things about grocery shopping in France is their penchant for sales, so watch out for them. Some cards offer instant savings, while the vast majority earn points or discount balances that can be redeemed later.
Conclusion
France is a foodie’s dream, with everything from baguettes to Boeuf Bourguignon. Discovering all of these delectable flavors at your local grocery store is undoubtedly a highlight of everyday life for expats in France. Shelves and counters are brimming with new foods and beverages to try, buy, and fall in love with. Shopping at the supermarket will never be a chore again.