It's no secret that I've got a weakness for upscale markets - one stop shops for superior local artisanal products and hard to find imports. New York is a haven for these, and Toronto's got a few good ones too.
In France, the prevailing culinary dogma is one of quality and local freshness - something North Americans are willing to pay extra for. For the most part, 'farm to table' isn't anything special, it's just the way it's done.
That being said, the French love American culture (though they'll never tell you that). Therefore, it goes without saying that in the wealthiest areas of Paris, you're bound to find some pretty amazing shops.
Le Bon Marché, or 'The Good Market', is known as the World's first department store. Officially starting around 1850, today it's a main attraction for shoppers looking for a little something by Louis Vuitton or Chanel. Obviously that can work up quite an appetite, so the natural thing to do is to go next door to the Grande Epicerie.
La Grande Epicerie is the very definition of the upscale market. Being so very French, everything is about image. The store features beautiful displays, which often mirror the theme of the window displays at Le Bon Marché. Special products are one of a kind and often very whimsical - Coca-Cola bottles featuring the silhouette of Karl Lagerfeld, Orangina bottles sold in limited edition bags by Antik Batik, a range of condiments made to look like hair products, Eiffel tower noodles, and Swarovski-encrusted water bottles are not uncommon. Part of the store is dedicated to products of the World, and the American section is comprised of molasses, maple syrup, chocolate chips, barbecue sauce, popcorn, peanut butter, and marshmallow fluff.
Karl Lagerfeld Coca-Cola
Got water?
Selection of jams
Balsamic vinegar - I snapped this after being told to put the camera away or leave
While you're not likely to be doing your weekly grocery shopping there, as many normal products are available elsewhere for a fraction of the price, it's a great place to get gifts for the foodies in your life. To me, the value lies in their mouth-watering prepared foods, beautiful pastries, hard to find ingredients for your dinner parties, and not to mention the browsing potential of the place. After all, who doesn't get some sick pleasure out of checking out bottles of champagne worth thousands of euros and bags of dried morel mushrooms that cost as much as a normal shopping trip.
GG
38 Rue de Sèvres
Paris, 75007
01 44 39 81 00
01 44 39 81 00
Le Bon Marche/Grande Epicerie is my favorite! Food and fashion... what could be better? xxxxx C
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