🛒Supermarkets

🟦 Super U / Hyper U – The Friendly Neighbourhood Favourite

Type: Supermarket / Hypermarket
Fun Fact: Founded in 1894 as a farmers' cooperative — so technically you're shopping “locally sourced” even in a giant shop!

Think of Super U as the community hero of French supermarkets. Hyper U stores are the big versions where you’ll find everything from fresh oysters to ironing boards. Well-organised, good quality, and often with surprisingly good in-store bakeries. They even do drive-through collection (U Drive) if you hate trolleys as much as I do.

🔵 Carrefour – The Giant of Giants

Type: Hypermarket / Supermarket / Convenience Store
Fun Fact: The name Carrefour means “crossroads”… fitting, considering you’ll find one at nearly every crossroads in France.

Carrefour is everywhere. Need a weekly shop? Head to Carrefour Hyper. Just need milk and wine? Carrefour Market or Carrefour City has you covered. Their international section is usually a goldmine for expats secretly hunting for Cheddar or Heinz. Bless them.

⚪ Leclerc – Champion of Low Prices

Type: Hypermarket / Supermarket
Fun Fact: Founded by a man with the sole mission of making shopping cheaper than anywhere else. A true national hero.

Leclerc is loved for good prices without feeling “budget”. Most have full fresh counters — fishmongers, butchers, bakeries — plus pharmacies and their legendary Leclerc Drive for click-and-collect. If anyone knows how to make grocery shopping efficient, it’s them.

⚔️ Intermarché – The Musketeers of Supermarkets

Type: Supermarket / Hypermarket
Fun Fact: Owned by the Les Mousquetaires (yes, The Musketeers). You can’t make this stuff up.

Known for decent prices and strong regional produce. They often run local food promotions and “buy French” campaigns — so if you're trying to shop proudly Gallic, this is your spot.

🎰 Casino – Not as risky as it sounds

Type: Supermarket / Convenience Store
Fun Fact: No, there are no slot machines inside. Just groceries.

Géant Casino stores are big, bright and occasionally feel like someone let a nightclub designer loose in a supermarket. Petit Casino is their little city version — ideal for emergency late-night chocolate.

🟡 Lidl – The Sensible Shopper’s Choice

Type: Discount Supermarket
Fun Fact: The Germans brought it... the French adopted it.

Lidl is no longer just tinned goods and mystery sausages — they’ve seriously upped their game with fresh produce, pastries and random weekly “middle aisle specials” that make you buy paddleboards in February.

🔴 Aldi – Lidl’s No-Nonsense Cousin

Type: Discount Supermarket
Expect speed, efficiency, and prices so low you’ll check twice. Limited choice, but solid basics. In and out in five minutes, baguette in hand. Sorted.

🧡 Franprix – City Life Saver

Type: Convenience Store
Mostly found in Paris and larger towns. Small, practical, slightly expensive — but when it’s Sunday night and everything else is shut, Franprix is your best friend.

🟣 Cora – The Northern Beast

Type: Hypermarket
Fairly regional (often in the north and east of France). Feels like a 1990s Carrefour in a good way. Wide aisles, big fresh counters, solid prices.

🟢 Netto – Bargain Hunter’s Delight

Type: Discount Supermarket
Owned by the same group as Intermarché but with a much stripped-back vibe. Think bare shelves, low prices and efficient shopping — no frills, just fills.

Final Tips for French Grocery Success

✅ Bring a €1 coin — trolleys are hostage negotiators.
✅ Weigh your veg before checkout (unless it’s pre-packaged).
✅ Say “Bonjour” to the cashier — this is non-negotiable.
✅ Look for the wine aisle. It’s usually half the store.

Whether you’re doing a weekly shop or simply hunting for your first pain au chocolat, France’s supermarket scene delivers everything from bargains to brie.

J’❤️ La Mayenne… and I also ❤️ Super U`s cheese aisle.