Popping down to the shops

Part of the thrill of going somewhere different for me is the joy of checking out local supermarkets.  The ordinary experience of visiting the supermarket and buying basics is one that we do wherever we live. A unifying experience worldwide. But one that takes on a particular excitement in Paris.

Of course there are supermarkets and then there are supermarkets. At your basic level Parisian Monoprix:

The champagne section, of course they have a fridge too if you need a cold one urgently

If only supermarket vegies looked like that at home

A tiny portion of the massive U shaped delicatessen counter- meats, cheeses, terrines

Not a cracker in sight in the whole country but they have Tim Tams! No, I didn't buy any

It's probably a bit rough to call Galeries Lafayette Gourmet a supermarket. But you can do the shopping there for dinner, and we did on several occasions. It was magnificent.

The smoked fish section

A veritable wall of chocolate

Even the tissue boxes are fancier in France

The oyster bar

The poultry is a stunning display

Amazing tarts

A huge spice section, like a market in Marrakesh

A minute portion of the available cheeses

Yoghurt in glass jars

The major patisseries all have stands at Galleries Lafayette. It's a great place to see them all in one place.

I think this is Sadaharu Aoki

More of Sadaharu Aoki

Hediard is even more upmarket, and more a providore than a supermarket. 

I possibly got a tad carried away this week, but I think you can see how much I loved supermarket shopping in Paris.

Paris in July 

Saturday Snapshot, is a wonderful weekly meme from at home with books.

This post is linked to Weekend Cooking, a fabulous weekly meme at Beth Fish Reads.