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The first time I visited Paris on my own, I asked my host mom where I should go to buy the cheapest lunch possible.

As an au pair, I was already pinching pennies, and I figured a sandwich from a grocery store would be far less daunting than trying to order something in French at a restaurant.

Google Maps offered plenty of suggestions when I typed in “groceries,” but I didn’t recognize any of the names, and at the time, I was genuinely terrified of accidentally spending more than absolutely necessary.

Now, after living in Paris for three years and moving all over the city, I can confidently say I have got these groceries figured out!

Comprehensive ranking of French supermarkets

Lidl

I wish I had discovered Lidl earlier. It is a budget grocery store, so it’s not really reliable as the place to buy everything on your list. But everything is super cheap, and each week they offer different products from different countries.

For example, they had Italian week, and I bought sooo much pasta, plus the cheapest pesto I have ever seen. It is great for discovering new things to eat at super low prices.

Find a Lidl near me: Google Maps

Aldi

I haven’t shopped here personally, but from what I have been told, they are also cheap and similar to Lidl.

Find an Aldi near me: Google Maps

Super U

The one by me is pretty cheap and quite large. It has an escalator for shopping carts, which I found really cool because I had never seen it before. It’s where I do all my weekly shopping for anything I can’t get at the farmers’ market.

Find a Super U near me: Google Maps

Franprix

This is where I shopped when I lived in the 11th. I was shocked to discover that my friends thought Franprix’s were expensive because the one by me was quite reasonable, albeit small.

Find a Franprix near me: Google Maps

Monoprix

This is what my host mom recommended. Monoprix is everywhere, just like Franprix. And they have everything you need. Some of them are multi-story. I would compare them to Target in the USA; they also sell clothes and household items.

Find a Monoprix near me: Google Maps

Auchan

There are not very many in Paris, but this is where I shopped when I was living in the suburbs in Saint Maur des Fossés. I was always able to buy everything I needed, and at a super reasonable price.

Find an Auchan near me: Google Maps

Carrefour

Similar in price to Auchan – there are many variations of it. A perfectly reasonable option. They sell a delicious pear juice that is like drinking pears – gritty and sweet. It’s sooo good.

Find a Carrefour near me: Google Maps

Intermarché

These are ginormous supermarkets outside of Paris. Inside the city are smaller versions called Intermarché EXPRESS. I’ve probably shopped here once or twice.

Find an Intermarché near me: Google Maps

G20

A more expensive corner store, but great for grabbing something you need last-minute. They are usually pretty small, but fantastic if you have to buy something late at night on occasion.

Find a G20 near me: Google Maps

Other food options to avoid starving to death

Farmers’ Markets

There are farmers’ markets all over Paris. Each neighborhood has its own designated streets and days when they host their markets. For example, when I lived in the 11th arrondissement, there was a market right outside my door every Tuesday and Friday.

In my opinion, this is the #1 place to buy fruits and veggies. You can also often find cheese, meats, nuts, fish, and bread. All the staples you need!

Coopérative

I have never actually tried one of these, but I really want to. It is a grocery store owned and operated only by the people who shop there. There is one near my apartment called Coopérative La Louve. The idea is you pay a small fee to join, and volunteer to work a few hours a month at the Co-op, and in return, you can shop there. You become a part-owner. Which is so freaking cool.

TooGoodToGo

Huge fan of using this app for buying leftover patisseries and viennoiseries from bakeries. Some are of higher quality than others, so I recommend checking the reviews first. But this is a great way to get a week’s worth of bread for 5 euros.

Picard

I am obsessed with Picard. The entire store is frozen foods only. But they are shockingly good! Especially their frozen pain au chocolat. Sadly, I rarely shop there because I don’t currently have access to an oven, and it’s the one thing that just doesn’t cook properly in an air fryer.

Anywho, that’s my quick list on all of the supermarkets in Paris (and surrounding area). Let me know if there is one I missed. Or if you were equally lost the first time you went grocery shopping in Paris.