What is the average cost of food in Paris?

Question

I am part of a study abroad program in Paris this coming up spring and I will be living there for three months and I want to keep my eating out to a minimal so I would like an idea on the cost of groceries in Paris. Please and many thank yous!

Answer 1

Your question is a bit vague, since that all depends on what you like to eat, your appetite, etc. It would be pretty time-consuming to give you a price for every item in a given supermarket. Having said that, I would say that the best places to buy food without having to pay a lot of money are Leader Price, Ed,and Champion, in that order. Leader Price has lots of bargains, provided that you don't mind generic "no frills" brands (as opposed to insisting on name brands). I hope this helps. Have a great stay in Paris by the way!

Answer 2

Bread, cheese and wine are cheap. Produce and meats are much more expensive if you shop Monoprix. I found chez Champion and sometimes chex Ed to have comparative prices. Otherwise I found asian supermarkets there's one near Metro Marx Dormoy in the 18e or the open market for fruits and veggies on saturday  in/near Barbes-Rochechouart Gare du Nord or during the weekday in quartier St Michel.  For meats I shopped the 18e and ate halal for the best price!  Eating out or take out was never the plus bon prix but if you like shawarma you can really save on euros! bonne chance!

Answer 3

The only thing that you will be able to afford on a budget is baggettes (bread) cheese to go with it, and you have to drink wine. Other than that everything in Paris is crazy expensive. I would say about 2 times as muchas in the states.

Answer 4

As David pointed out, the least expensive large chains are Leader Price and Ed.

However, if you like Asian food, the most competitive place to buy food in Paris is the huge superstore "Tang Frères" which is located in Paris largest Chinatown (address: 48 avenue d'Ivry, 13th arrondissement). It's by far the largest Asian supermarket in the whole of Europe. I'm simply always amazed about how much various food I can buy there for such a reasonable price. However, be cautious, Tang Frères is really overcrowded during saturdays and sundays. If you have time during weekdays, it's better to buy food then (the shop is closed on mondays though).

Last remark: avoid Monoprix and City Monop' supermarkets ! They are insanely expensive.

Answer 5

There is also a massive database of prices for 7 supermarket chains here: http://www.quiestlemoinscher.com/

Answer 6

Well, don't go to Franprix, Monoprix or in the "épicerie générale" (=>littles markets)

As they say, go to Leader Price, Ed, Liddl, or buy some chinese food !