How I Grocery Shop in Paris

Compared to how I used to shop in the US

Like many things in the US, the desire for convenience dictates many of our daily habits, including how we shop for groceries. From purchasing everything under the roof of one massive supermarket, to getting items delivered to our front doors, there is a lack of connection between us and our food, and the source in which it comes from.

On the contrary, if there’s one word I’d use to describe grocery shopping in Paris—at least when done intentionally—it’s connection. Connection between customers and the shopkeepers, but also between the shops and their products. Each store, whether specializing in cheese, bread, or produce, brings a deep knowledge and dedication to its craft, and that quality shines through in the experience.

Admittedly, grocery shopping here in Paris can be inconvenient and at times, simply frustrating, from lugging bags of groceries from place to place during unfavorable weather, to the inability to find certain ingredients that are easily accessible in US supermarkets. However, I will opt for the quality and connection everyday over the convenience I used to experience in the US, and here’s why:

As we walk into the épicerie, we are greeted by the owner, who promptly strikes up a conversation with our four-year-old while I browse the seemingly endless selection of oils, spices, teas and more. I could get lost in this store for hours, but with the two little ones in tow, I know my time is limited. I begin browsing the olive oils when the owner asks me if I know the difference between a green and black olive, and offers me a tasting. We decide to go with the more mature olive oil (so the oil made with the black olives,) which is softer and better suited for drizzling on salads, tomatoes and more. I quickly grab a few last selections (as I know the baby is beyond ready for his nap) and head to the cashier where the owner offers Ella a few caramels before our departure.

Afterwards we walk next door to our favorite fromagerie in the neighborhood, where a similar scenario takes place. The shopkeeper now knows us. She plays with our baby boy and talks to our daughter about how school is going, and always offers a slice of comté for both of the kiddos while we make our selections. She recommends a new cheese we decide to try, alongside our go-to order which typically includes demi-sel butter, Parmesan, mozzarella and a pelardon.

The final stop for the day is the “primeur” for fruits and veggies. Again, I now am very aquainted with the shopkeepers who even know which days of the week I typically visit. They ask me what items I’m shopping for and always hand select the best pick. Unlike the US, where grocery shopping is mostly an isolated experience, when I shop here I rarely select my own items (unless I’m in a grocery store.) There is almost always someone who is helping me and handpicking each item (this goes for cheese at the fromagerie, flowers from the market and so on.)

farm eggs and cheese at Le Bon Marché

So, in summary, my typical weekly grocery shopping includes the following:

GROCERY STORE: Basics and essentials from the neighborhood grocery store (which are MUCH smaller than the ones in the US.)

NATURAL GROCERY STORE: Where I buy all of the baby’s food and snacks, as well as a few items that are harder to find in the regular grocery store.

PRIMEUR: For fruits, veggies, herbs, fresh juices and more.

FROMAGERIE: Cheese (of course.)

“SPECIALTY" SHOPS: I always include a “speciality” section in my shopping list, which might mean a trip to the épicerie (where I can find things like chicken broth, higher quality olive oils, etc.) or if I need more than a few “special” items, I’ll typically go to La Grande Épicerie, which is a very international and high-end supermarket located across from Le Bon Marché. Luckily, I live relatively close!

*Not included in the list is the boulangerie (because we’re typically there on almost a daily basis for either a baguette, brioche for breakfast, or maybe a quick quiche for lunch) and I also don’t eat/cook with meat often, or else I would visit the boucherie (the butcher.)

and yes…I plan my weekly meals and grocery list in Notion:)

With several stops to make instead of one, you do need to implement a “strategy” of sorts. For me, that begins with planning meals out each week, then dividing the necessary items by store. I am honestly still trying to figure out a good rhythm and routine for grocery shopping. While in the US, I would shop for all of my groceries for the week on Sunday, here I find myself shopping much more frequently. I also try to break up the stops, so I don’t have to do everything at once (as it can take a lot of time and also requires a lot of carrying!)

We are lucky to live within short walking distance of an amazing pedestrian, market street, so majority of these stops are located next door to one another or within just a few minutes. On the contrary, I know friends who live in other areas of Paris where shops aren’t as easily accessible, and therefore grocery shopping seems like more of a pain than a privilege. I will also add that it is a conscious choice to shop like this. Convenience is becoming increasingly popular here in Paris too, with the option of grocery delivery or simply buying all of your groceries from the grocery store (and settling for the lack of quality and selection.)

And while I could opt for convenience in Paris too, I choose not to. In my eyes, grocery shopping here is not simply a necessary task, but it’s an opportunity for connection in a world that is increasingly disconnected.

While I sometimes miss the convenience and variety of places like Whole Foods, I’ve come to appreciate the intention and joy in this more “inconvenient” way of shopping.

As always, thanks for reading (and now, I actually have some grocery shopping to do!)

Until next week,

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