Food, Drink shopping in France
-
A
Roy René
Aix's sweetest treat since King René's wedding banquet in 1473 is the marzipan-like local speciality, calisson, a small, diamond-shaped chewy delicacy comprising 40% ground almonds and 60% fruit syrup, wrapped in a communion wafer and glazed with white icing sugar. When the Great Plague came into town in 1630, calissons supposedly staved off the disease. Traditional calissonniers still make the sweets, including Roy René, which also runs guided tours at its out-of-town factory/museum.
reviewed
-
B
Cadiot-Badie
Bordeaux's greatest chocolate maker offers the gourmand a whole range of delicious specialties to take home: chocolate Bordeaux truffles flavoured with liqueur brandy and grapes, fanchonettes (flaky pastry tartlets filled with pastry cream and covered with meringue) and tourny, a ball of praline. With its crystal chandeliers and carved moulding, the shop itself, which dates from 1826, is worth a visit.
reviewed
-
C
Debotte Gautier
When Jules Verne was a young boy he too was awed by this beautiful chocolate shop decorated with chandeliers, marble floors and a circular velvet banquette where Nantais have waited while their orders were filled since 1823. Handmade specialities include mascarons (finely ground chocolates encased in a dark chocolate shell) and a rainbow of hardboiled sweets.
reviewed
-
D
La Cave Sartenaise
It's exceptional selection of local wine makes La Cave Sartenaise an excellent stop for tipplers. If it's not crowded, the staff will be happy to give advice (in French) on the best Sartène wines to add to your cellar - we recommend a Saparale or a Fiumicicoli. Plenty of other Corsican goodies too (charcuterie, olive oil, cheese). It's right below the town hall.
reviewed
-
E
Fromagerie Jean D'Alos'
Near the Place des Grands Hommes is this highly respected fromagerie. If you are a lover of cheese in all its forms, soft, hard or blue, made from cow, sheep or goats milk, this shop will delight you. Buy some eye-wateringly aromatic Roquefort or a subtle chévre, a baguette and a bottle of something and retire to a park for a picnic. Vive la France.
reviewed
-
F
O&Co
This olive oil shop (formerly Oliviers & Co) was the first of what is now a worldwide chain; created by Olivier Baussan, who also founded the natural cosmetic company L'Occitane (there's a L'Occitane boutique on this street at No 55). In addition to Baussan's native Provence, O&Co also stocks oils from Italy, Greece, Israel, Turkey and Portugal.
reviewed
-
G
Maison de L'Amande Corse
Maison de L'Amande Corse is a delightfully obsessive, single-product shop that offers almonds from Corsica (the island grows around 60% of the total French production), prepared in every possible way: almond oil, almond powder, cream of almond, almond soap, grilled, salted almonds - and wickedly tempting, delightfully sweet nougatine d'amande.
reviewed
-
Fromagerie des Alpages
For newcomers to the region - whenever you hear the sweet words 'Savoyard specialties', know that fountains of fondue are around the corner. This Alpine speciality shop gets down to the cheesiest of business. Fromager Bernard Mure-Ravaud will introduce you to local dairy products including Gruyere, rigotte and St Felicien.
reviewed
-
H
Le Fournil des Capucins
Le Fournil des Capucins near place de la Victoire, is a bakery that never closes. So if you're heading out early or rolling home late this place can provide all of your daily (and nightly) breads and cakes. Perfect for when you simply must have a brioche at 03:00 in the morning.
reviewed
-
I
Baillardran
For a taste of Bordeaux (that for once doesn’t involve wine!), head to Baillardran, which has several branches in town, including this one in the Galerie des Grands Hommes shopping centre, where you can watch the chefs make canelés, a local vanilla-infused fluted cake.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Saturday morning market
Amble the Saturday morning market stretching the length of the main boulevard, selling strong cheese, Camargue salt, olive oil, and bull sausages. On Wednesday, market stalls set up along blvd Émile Combes.
reviewed
-
J
Villages Corses
Villages Corses is another specialist delicatessen, also packed with Corsican delicacies, including charcuterie, cheeses, liqueurs, wine, chestnut flour and honey.
reviewed
-
K
Jacquèmes
Pick up gourmet goodies at Jacquèmes, a fantastic épicerie (grocery) that sells cheese, cold meats, sausages and 500 types of whisky.
reviewed
-
L
U Stazzu
U Stazzu is famous for its handmade charcuterie. It also sells the usual range of Corsican delicacies from other small producers.
reviewed
-
M
La Chocolatière du Panier
To fill your picnic basket, try La Chocolatière du Panier, with weird-and-wonderful flavours of handmade chocolates like onion and lavender.
reviewed
-
N
Le Goût de l'Enfance
At Le Goût de l'Enfance you can buy by Le Panier legend Mme Brigitte Garelli's homemade jam (it's also served by cafés in the quarter).
reviewed
-
O
Halles Centrales
Halles Centrales covered market is full of local-produce stalls that run the gourmet gamut from local cheese to Limousin beef.
reviewed
-
P
La Ferme St-Salvy
Pick up the very best in cheese from La Ferme St-Salvy, one of France's dwindling number of fromageries (specialist cheese shops).
reviewed
-
Q
Place aux Huiles
Place aux Huiles, sells varieties of olive oils, and also dispenses chocolates, coffees and teas, and culinary advice.
reviewed
-
R
La Farandole
Shops that specialise in saucissons d'Arles (local bull-meat sausages) include La Farandole.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
S
Gusti Italiani
Italian traiteur (caterer-delicatessen) with fabulous meat, cheese and ready-made savoury dishes.
reviewed
-
T
Caves Caprioglio
Wine from cavisteswho know what they're talking about: Caves Caprioglio dating from 1910.
reviewed
-
U
Confiserie Florian
Chocolate-coated orange slices, figs and almonds from Confiserie Florian www.confiserieflorian.com
reviewed
-
L'o à la Bouche
Markets aside, try L'o à la Bouche, an épiceries fines (upmarket grocery shop).
reviewed
-
V
Pérardel
Pérardel, in the cellar at the end of the courtyard, is where locals buy good-value wines.
reviewed
