France - Food Shopping

Here are the different places to do your food shopping:

• Foodstores 'hypermarchés and supermarchés' (Carrefour, Géant, Centre Leclerc, HyperU, Champion):
  Here you will find everything. Look out for weekly offers. Prices are quite high.
• Supermarchés discount (LeaderPrice, ED):
  The selection of brands is not great, but fruits and vegetables at ED are delicious. Prices aren't that high.
• Retail stores (Green grocers, wine store, butcher, fishmonger):
  The service is perfect and you get the best quality,  but they are also the most expensive stores.
• Markets:
  Open air markets are characteristic of France. Everywhere you find weekly gatherings of stalls with fresh produce on display. It's colourful and fun, definitely a French experience that you don't want to miss!

Special Service
Most of the hypermarchés offer services such as: Home delivery, Theatre, museum etc. ticket sales

Weekly Sales
All the supermarchés and hypermarchés have their weekly sales. Look at the leaflets in your mailbox.

Opening Hours
Generally retail stores are open from 9 am to 12.30 pm and 3 to 7 pm. They are closed on Sundays and most of them on Mondays as well.
Foodstores and supermarché discounts stay open all day and until later in the evening (from 8.30 am to 9 pm). They are sometimes open on Sundays and public holidays.
Open air markets are on each day in different areas.

Forms of Payment
All shops and markets accept all means of payment, but there is a minimum amount. In some small shops and 'supermarchés', your bill must be more than 15 EUR if you want to pay with a card or by check. The 'hypermarchés' accept your credit card even if your bill is under one euro.
If you are paying by check, you have to present your identity card or a passport.