Though it is hard not to take advantage of all the cafes and restaurants in Paris, it is good to know where to pick up some food when you'd like to cook at home.
Basic Groceries - There are several variety stores within a few blocks. Due to a limited and expensive selection, only use the very small ones in urgent situations. The closest (one block away) and best is the G20 at 76 rue Vielle de Temple near the cross street - rue de la Perle.
Supermarkets - In general the smaller French supermarkets (supermarchés) are not as nice as American ones. It is best to go to the small specialty stores (i.e. fresh fish, cheese, wine and produce) which you will find locally on rue des Francs Bourgeois / rue Rambuteau (one street turns into the other at rue des Archives) or rue de Turennes. The best larger supermarkets in the neighborhood are the Monoprixs at:
164 rue du Temple (has
home delivery)
71 rue Saint Antoine
which is open everyday but Sunday.
Home Delivery - If you are wandering to stores and aren't sure, the process of "livraison" varies from store to store so it is best when you walk in to ask
"Avez vous une service de livraison à domicile ?"
If you are adventuresome, you can ask how it works but most times there are signs posted. Typically you need to go to a special checkout for home delivery versus the standard ones. You'll pay a surcharge for the delivery if it is under a certain amount and it'll be free above ("a partir de") a certain amount. There is typically a minimum (e.g. 50-60 euros minimum would cost 5-10 euros for delivery, free above 120 euros). Think of all of this as part of the adventure! The French typically don't tip delivery people but we usually give them 2-3 euros. The delivery people should bring the items up to the apartment. This is useful when you want heavy liquid things (e.g. bottled water, wine ...)
Gourmet Supermarkets - There are a variety of very high end, gourmet supermarkets in Paris that surpass the quality of most American supermarkets. Most, if not all, have home delivery services.
Grande Epicerie at the Bon Marché - 38 rue de Sèvres, 7e, Métro: Sèvres-Babylone
Lafayette Gourmet - 48 blvd. Haussmann, 9e, Métro: Chaussee-d'Antin.
Pietrement-Lambret - 58 rue Jean-Jacques-Rousseau, 1e, Métro: Les Halles.
Hédiard - 21 pl. de la Madeleine. Métro: Madeleine
Fauchon - 26 pl. de la Madeleine, Métro: Madeleine
Markets - Our clients strongly recommend the open air markets as this is a fun experience:
Rue de Bretagne and rue Charlot (Enfants Rouge) (Sundays), Métro (too close, just walk!)
Blvd Raspail (Sunday mornings), Organic foods, Métro: Rennes
Bastille (open Tuesday and Sunday mornings), Métro: Bastille
Rue Mouffetard (best on weekends), Métro: Monge
Wine - For wine, there are many wine stores in the neighborhood. Our favorites is just to the left as you exit the building. The owner's name is Alex and he speaks English.
International Newspapers - The store with a good selection of international papers and magazines is at the corner of Saint-Croix de la Bretonnerie and rue des Archives.