LOVE Bonne Maman jams. A bit expensive here, but worth it! I also have some of the Camargue salt that I had received in a gift basket. That's for special occasions!
Many years ago, I would bring reusable bags back from my trips and give them as souvenir gifts to friends and family. They would always graciously accept them but never used them as it was common to get single use plastic bags from stores at no cost. Now that most cities have banned the use of disposable bags and started charging for reusable bags, they understand how useful those souvenirs are!
I live in France and though the supermarket aisles are already familiar, I still enjoy watching this kind of content and it gives a new perspective on how we look at the things we see on a daily basis ! Great job Diane, all the best ! x
My favorite French souvenir remains bar soap from the supermarket. All of my friends love it and have started requesting it in advance of a trip. Bonus: it makes your luggage smell good. Also, I recently picked up some Monoprix reusable thin nylon shopping bags. I loved that they had a stuff sack sewn into them so you can't lose it and they pack very small. Oh wait, you covered that, I spoke too soon!
As a french I am always incredibly surprised by how appreciated and trendy monoprix is to people from abroad. In France I feel like it's often seen as the very expensive grocery store of the city centres. Now with this video i also understand why i once saw a group of american tourists in my city's Monoprix who bought 10 soaps and 10 reusable bags. Much better than the single use they give in the usa. Now living abroad i am starting to realize how much of a variety of products we have in France compared to other countries, even of the most random products like salt and mustard. Another shocking thing is how expensive french products are abroad (which explains why tourists buy a ton to store it at home when they are on a trip to France, might do the same now).
If Monoprix had a branch in the US, the appeal would go down, like how in the 50s-60s you had to go to France to buy Chanel No. 5 or Dior dresses. Of course, people still like those things, but there is less of the "Wow!" reaction now compared then. Also like how the French used to stock up on British chocolate candy bars before they became more available in France (and also before they declined in quality).
The Bon Maman tartes au citron have come home in our suitcases as have some of the lovely round sugar cubes, a Super-U bag (I used it at Monoprix so didn't buy theirs), some of the soaps from Le Petit Marseilles, some sea salt, a few aprons, some socks, and Nespresso pods that aren't available in the US. Also, in 2005, I broke my eyeliner pencil sharpener & had to buy a new one at Monoprix...I still have it & use it 18 years later!
Bon jour Diane. I love to receive practical gifts and I also give them. I'm a big gift giver of grocery store items, especially dish towels, scarves, and tote bags. Some practical tips- cookies in boxes travel better than bagged cookies. Since we have to check liquids, I don't recommend honey, mustard, etc. If they leak/break, everything in your luggage is ruined. If you do carry, remember to travel with zip lock bags. Last, I find groceries frequently have very nice pistachio products. As always, another wonderful and useful vlog. Merci.
J'ai souvent ramené du miel dans ma valise, de la confiture. J'emballe chaque pot dans un sac en plastique, je les entoure avec du linge et les mets au milieu de la valise. Jamais eu de problème !
So fun story about fountain pens. I worked at a before and after school care program. In the mornings I was at a different school and started showing some of the kids how to write in cursive when one showed an interest in it. One day I brought in a fountain pen and showed the difference in writing and they were so fascinated. A lot of schools these days don't teach cursive writing and at the time, the school wasn't either. But this was a way of keeping them busy and quiet so I didn't mind. I had one student who was homeless. He really took a shine to the fountain pen and cursive writing. After a while, he got pretty good so I bought him his own and you'd have thought I'd given him gold! Lol the other parents had to go get their kids their own pens after a while😁 they didn't seem to mind since it was educational and kept the kids busy!
I taught ESL in Prague and it is standard procedure for first graders to get a pen with ink drop-ins after the first semester!!! They are thrilled and do remarkably well to learn cursive. I thought they's get ink on their clothes or skin, but didn't.
I love your grocery store tours! The prices in France always surprise me because I live in Canada. Many of the items you highlighted are available here but at double/triple/10X the cost.
Man, I think I need to get off the computer. I read your comment as "..and i poo over there regularly." Haha. Glad you make the trip often. Such good stuff!
I am a Frenchman living in France and I like watching your videos, if only because I understand everything you say without putting on the English subtitles.
While last in Parris I bought two tea towels with an unusual textile design. I framed one & hung it in my kitchen where I get a lot of complimentary comments about my "etching".
First time I've been in India (2007) I was surprised to see "Bonne maman" jam in a little super market; it was the only French product available there. Just to say how world wide this product is. The thing you can also easily find is Nuttela but it's not French. Bravo Diane, even if I'm French I enjoy all of your videos.
As an American, I was so happy to see you zeroed in on the same items/brands I always focus on bringing back. The Claire Fonteine cahiers, fountain pens, and highlighters bring back so many memories of going to school in France in the 1970s! Before we could get them in the States, Maille mustard, Haribo, Nutella, and Héro syrups were high on my list of "imports." Instead of tea towels, I'd buy oil cloth in cool patterns to use to make bags and place mats for gifts. Today, I buy certain Nexus face cream and eye serum at the pharmacy because it's such an effective, nice smelling, yet inexpensive brand.
Hello Dianne, I have a little story to tell, about the wine you can see at exactly 19:44 of your video. I was in the queue to pay, in a French supermarket - nothing unusual, I am French, and I live in France - I had picked up randomly a bottle of wine, and when I put it on the counter, the woman behind me cried « you have found some ? Where did you find this bottle ? » So I told her, and she immediately took off to go and get some. So when we opened that bottle, we paid extra attention : the wine was really good, the price was very good. That was twenty years ago, and, since then, I have remained faithful to the Médoc Merrain Rouge, it never disappointed me !
Bonne Maman or LU cookies, canned pate, bar soaps & dish towels are my favorite Monoprix souvenirs. French baby foods are always appreciated too...they are definitely more "gourmet" compared to what we find in the US.
They have so many yummy Bonne Maman items you can't get in the US or at least not in all areas. I've never seen their cookies, madelines, etc, just the jams ❤️ We brought the citron tartes and little tendres coeur cakes. So delicious ❤️
What a great idea to take edible treats like cookies as gifts/souvenirs from any country. It is harder to be original these days since globalisation, but still there are gems in any country that aren't available anywhere else. I don't live in France, but in UK we can get the Bonne Maman compote in jars and I'd definitely recommend those as gifts. Delicious. And any of the chestnut products. I've yet to find anyone who can make a decent Madeleine but the French. Another Bonne Maman idea. Dish towels? Yes! And if they have a few French words on I'd venture to say you could take one back as a gift for your boss! And every kid should have a book in French! Brilliant! Terrific video Diane, with so many lovely suggestions.
Great idea! When heading to Italy or Turkey, I take gifts to my friends there and then have plenty of space in my luggage. The day before departure I head to the supermarket and load up on fabulous food and treats. They are always a hit with family and friends.
Diane, your nail polish is a perfect match for the crème de marrons! Very chic :D Yes, I did learn how to write with a fountain pen! And kids use navy blue, not black.
It may depend on the flavor but some of the Maille mustards here in the US come from Canada. I've tried the chestnut spread, I assume it's just for baking. It's sweet but didn't have much chestnut flavor. If you like canned sardines, you can get sardines packed in butter. I've not seen this from other countries, it's pretty amazing if you happen to be a canned sardine eater.
Exactly! I think I mentioned that the Maille mustard we find in the US isn't actually imported from France so best to snatch up a few varieties when in France for sure! Are you a fan of sardines? I'm not but Tom loves them!
@@OuiInFrancethe thing is that Maille is not a French brand 1nymorz for a long time. But a brand of Unilever group. So no surprise you can find this almost everywhere. And take care about "Moutarde de Dijon", that is still not protected as AOP so everyone can do it's own mustard everywhere and called this "Moutarde de Dijon". It's just kind of "receipt" 😢
Thank you so much. I really enjoyed this video. I shopped at Monopris when in Paris. So much fun. I found so many items we don't have here. The best part is that it stocks made in France items. Thanks again.😊
Excellent choices! The Monoprix bags were always a huge hit for me. I'd also buy Heinz 3 Poivres sauce, a wide variety of Petit Marseillais products to put in the bags, the different types of salt, Lipton's Lady Grey tea or the ones in little tied balls and I'd also pick up washing mitts for the shower/bath. I think the strangest request I got was from a pregnant colleague - she had an incredible hankering for Harry's bread (the one with the chocolate chips). Try bringing two squishy loaves of that stuff onto the plane in the overhead compartment 🤣
As always, a super high quality video that I suggest to anyone going to France. Monoprix is a one stop souvenir shop for so many small, French items that are easy to pack etc. I especially like the fact that you were in Angers because I studied at the Catho for several summers. Merci encore une fois et j'ai hâte de voir votre prochaine vidéo!
My favourite French mustard is from Edmund Fallot. When I go to Paris, I always haunt Monoprix. Last year I purchased a beautiful cashmere sweater, a gift for me! I also pick up the Monoprix reusable shopping bags and soaps as gifts.
I love the nylon shopping bags! Every time I go, I bring a different one back and that’s what I use when I go to the grocery store here in the US. They are the best!
I love your grocery store videos. Last year from your videos I went into every Monoprix I came across. I bought scarves, candy and loads of the little bags to give as gifts. I can't wait to go back. Also, thanks for the U.S store link, I've ordered from them as well.
The most frequent request from my friends/family: gants de toilette and a bar of soap - especially if it's the brand "Le chat". So many cat lovers in my circle! LOL I love that it's cruelty-free AND smells so good!
A guest brought us something years ago that we still use constantly and love: tapered, handle-less espresso cups. There are six, each color showing a different favorite French destination. Great gift.
I have to say I adore French products because of the excellent quality and the variety. I go to the supermarket for cookies, jam, paste, and honey, but I also visit marche for cheeses to stock up.
Thanks for that good report. I agree that Monoprix is a cut above the other supermarket chain. I hope that it lasts because I have just read about how it is being caught up in the financial maelstrom of the Casino group. Apparently here are lay offs and resupply problems affecting some stores more than others. So far our local Monoprix at Lisieux seems to have maintained its standards. I would urge people to keep buying there so as to contribute to solving their problems.
black cherry jam, madeleines with jam filling, cheese, LU Petite Ecolier, Michel & Augestin Apero crackers, individual wrapped Valier (Swiss) chocolates, sea salt, mustard, and advent calendars. you hit all the good gifts
thanks for the video! one thing i really liked was the carre four almond shampoo. i brought back a small bottle and lost it but then my french friends came and stayed with me here in ny so i asked them to get that carre four almond shampoo for me. the smell is wonderful i dont know what they use in that. i brought back the chocolate cookies from the brand you mentioned for everyone here french baked goods are the best in the world! ive never had such good baked goods anywhere in the world and they are so affordable. i was able to safely bring back an albino armani bottle of wine from near the dolomites but when i was on trenitalia the wine bag broke and i lost the second bottle i had 😅
Thank you for the great video! I too like to give useful gifts and buy useful souvenirs. We have a trip to France planed next year, and this was a very helpful video.
I can purchase the Bonne Maman cookies from France here in Alabama, USA - at Publix. Love the lemon tartlets. That grocery market is lovely….clean and neat and nicely stocked.
Something about stationary that's worth noting too is that the standard paper sheet size is not the same in France and North America. I live in Canada now and I didn't know before moving that they are not 21cm x 29.7cm here (they are shorter and wider). So if you have any folder storage or anything to put papers in, the standard A4 won't fit. Also, I feel like the clothes at Monoprix are not that bad. I've seen pretty expensive things like cashmere sweater and everything. I've never bought anything from Monoprix but I feel like it's maybe even better than an H&M. I'd love to have anyone's feedback on it you've ever tried their clothing section.
I have just stumbled across your channel! Thank you so much! I subscribed instantly. I hope to get to France one day. Oh, and the Bonne Maman products - we get their wonderful jams and preserves here but I had no idea they made cookies! Yum! I understand that the Bonne Maman company has a wonderful history of helping Jews during WWII.
If you like spicy mustard, try Amora……It’s piquante & makes an amazing vinaigrette salad dressing. It is also available in a plastic bottle which is great for packing/travel.
Just curious, I noticed when you walked into the market that there were several stairs down into the market. Is there a way to get in for folks that have trouble getting around? When visiting several years ago, we noticed that there are few accessibility options for public places. (metro, museums, hotels, stores)
Always worth a visit to the kitchenware/tableware aisles in a big Leclerc or Carrefour to find gadgets, cutlery etc that are either hard to find in most other countries or significantly cheaper or better designs in France - eg those little steel towers for storing Nespresso pods (never seen one in the U.K.) or the very elegant Laguiole-style solid steel steak knives for 30 euros a set of 6 we bought in Leclerc Bergerac!
I always bring back fleur de sel... cheap in the supermarket there and an exorbitant import here. Lightweight & unbreakable. Also love the large shopping bags from Super U: they have loops for bottles! [At least, they used to... I haven't been back lately.]
Mon Cheris are the best thing there. We can’t buy anything like them in the US, though I’ve found some of the other things in import aisles. I need to go back to France just to get more of those.
Hello Diane. I m french 100 %. I must say congratulations for the way you said "sel de Guérande".. i know "R" are difficult to speak for English talking people.. but your "Guérande" prononciation was almost perfect 👍👌
Monoprix aux Halles! I really miss living in Angers. I'd recommend Maille Cornichons à la Russe (huge, giant gherkins). I'd also recommend the revamped U in nearby Beaucouzé, which had loads of products I've not seen in other large supermarkets.
I agree with you for the brand bonne maman and the chesnut spread😊 butvI never buy my honey in supermarkets... I'm not confident about where it comes from...
I still miss pains au chocolat and candy mark Boobliezz from my university excange period from last spring semester from France.😞 You can find Boobliezz candies from the bulk candy shelves (irtomakeishyllyt in Finnish) or from the cruising ships between Tallinn and Stockholm here from Finland.😞 Salutations de la Finlande! Greetings from Finland! Terveisiä Suomesta!
Tinned foie gras is good present, biscoff spread is good while technically not French, raclette cheese, tapenade, fish soup pot but risky to take in suitcase, saucisson sec
It is about the experience of shopping. I do not remember the products I bought or the brands. But I do remember how nice the people who worked in the super market were to me. They used to say bonjour & au revoir to me. Actually I used to say it first. I was in digne les bains in south france. Even clothes shopping is the same the experience matters. Not the products
"Sablés" are named "Sablés" because when you prepare them the dough must have the consistency of sand. And when you eat them, they tend to break into sandy little pieces. For notebook, lined ones exist but not for children: the squares with the little lines inside are made for children to learn how to write each character correctly in terms of height.
Bonjour Diane. I so enjoy your tours of French stores especially Le Monoprix. I enjoyed shopping in the Monoprix at Les Halles Angers. It was perfectly stocked with everything I could want. I purchased some excellent blanc de blanc brut for 9€ and an very good demi bottle of cote du rhone for 5€. I assembled my choices for Le charcuterie and veggies and enjoy my supper in my beautiful and well equipped flat. Baguettes came from Le boulangerie comeillé. Great seeing you on your UA-cam channel. Happy Halloween.
The difference between Carrefour and Monoprix is that the first is a chain of very large supermarket, often on the outskirts of towns and often only accessible by car. Conversely, Monoprix is a city center supermarket chain, more accessible for pedestrians. Often, Monoprix is considered more upscale, with higher prices than large supermarkets on the outskirts. Conversely, you have the Super U supermarket chain which rather targets medium-sized towns (less than 50,000 inhabitants) in the countryside and is absent from large cities. For your information, Angers is a city of 152,000 inhabitants, which is considered a relatively large city for France (16th most populous city in France).
Where would I buy a nice scarf, don't need silk, a scarf for spring/summer that you would put under a coat that you can wrap around your neck and leave long. Thx!!
It’s a tradition of mine that the day before I go home from Paris, I go to the grocery store and LOAD UP on stuff. Honey, olive oil, truffle oil, madeleines, butter cookies, loose leaf tea, chocolate, preservatives, and cheese. Once I run out of my French goods, I know it’s time for a return trip!
Pretty much anything Michel et Augustin is my go-to. Their savory petits beurre/sablés biscuits in a variety of AOP flavors you'll never find stateside (sadly) are INSANE for cheese/cracker lovers (Beaufort, Ossau Iraty avec piment d'Espelette current favorites). I was pretty sad when I finished off my stash I managed to stuff my carry-on with within a few weeks after our trip this summer. Fortunately my brother-in-law surprised me with a few fresh bags when he came over from Paris for our wedding. Those didn't last long either...
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LOVE Bonne Maman jams. A bit expensive here, but worth it! I also have some of the Camargue salt that I had received in a gift basket. That's for special occasions!
No real Brie, Camembert,... The US is missing out on the real and good stuff.
Is this for the advent calendars too?
When we travel, I LOVE dropping into a grocery store. I'm fascinated by the local brands of the country.
Me, too! One of my favorite "tourist" activities! I recently traveled to Ireland and browsing in the local grocery store was so much fun!
Many years ago, I would bring reusable bags back from my trips and give them as souvenir gifts to friends and family. They would always graciously accept them but never used them as it was common to get single use plastic bags from stores at no cost. Now that most cities have banned the use of disposable bags and started charging for reusable bags, they understand how useful those souvenirs are!
Exactly, so handy to have now even in the U.S.! I think some entire states have banned plastic bags as well so a nice reusable one is super practical.
They did ? Good news ! 👏
😅😅😅brilliant. A plan stolen, thank you
I live in France and though the supermarket aisles are already familiar, I still enjoy watching this kind of content and it gives a new perspective on how we look at the things we see on a daily basis ! Great job Diane, all the best ! x
Thanks very much! Really happy to hear that. ;-)
My favorite French souvenir remains bar soap from the supermarket. All of my friends love it and have started requesting it in advance of a trip. Bonus: it makes your luggage smell good. Also, I recently picked up some Monoprix reusable thin nylon shopping bags. I loved that they had a stuff sack sewn into them so you can't lose it and they pack very small.
Oh wait, you covered that, I spoke too soon!
As a french I am always incredibly surprised by how appreciated and trendy monoprix is to people from abroad. In France I feel like it's often seen as the very expensive grocery store of the city centres. Now with this video i also understand why i once saw a group of american tourists in my city's Monoprix who bought 10 soaps and 10 reusable bags. Much better than the single use they give in the usa. Now living abroad i am starting to realize how much of a variety of products we have in France compared to other countries, even of the most random products like salt and mustard. Another shocking thing is how expensive french products are abroad (which explains why tourists buy a ton to store it at home when they are on a trip to France, might do the same now).
I back that 100%. I live in Germany and I really miss the diversity of french supermarkets.
If Monoprix had a branch in the US, the appeal would go down, like how in the 50s-60s you had to go to France to buy Chanel No. 5 or Dior dresses. Of course, people still like those things, but there is less of the "Wow!" reaction now compared then. Also like how the French used to stock up on British chocolate candy bars before they became more available in France (and also before they declined in quality).
The Bon Maman tartes au citron have come home in our suitcases as have some of the lovely round sugar cubes, a Super-U bag (I used it at Monoprix so didn't buy theirs), some of the soaps from Le Petit Marseilles, some sea salt, a few aprons, some socks, and Nespresso pods that aren't available in the US. Also, in 2005, I broke my eyeliner pencil sharpener & had to buy a new one at Monoprix...I still have it & use it 18 years later!
Bon jour Diane. I love to receive practical gifts and I also give them. I'm a big gift giver of grocery store items, especially dish towels, scarves, and tote bags. Some practical tips- cookies in boxes travel better than bagged cookies. Since we have to check liquids, I don't recommend honey, mustard, etc. If they leak/break, everything in your luggage is ruined. If you do carry, remember to travel with zip lock bags. Last, I find groceries frequently have very nice pistachio products. As always, another wonderful and useful vlog. Merci.
J'ai souvent ramené du miel dans ma valise, de la confiture. J'emballe chaque pot dans un sac en plastique, je les entoure avec du linge et les mets au milieu de la valise. Jamais eu de problème !
So fun story about fountain pens. I worked at a before and after school care program. In the mornings I was at a different school and started showing some of the kids how to write in cursive when one showed an interest in it. One day I brought in a fountain pen and showed the difference in writing and they were so fascinated. A lot of schools these days don't teach cursive writing and at the time, the school wasn't either. But this was a way of keeping them busy and quiet so I didn't mind. I had one student who was homeless. He really took a shine to the fountain pen and cursive writing. After a while, he got pretty good so I bought him his own and you'd have thought I'd given him gold! Lol the other parents had to go get their kids their own pens after a while😁 they didn't seem to mind since it was educational and kept the kids busy!
I taught ESL in Prague and it is standard procedure for first graders to get a pen with ink drop-ins after the first semester!!! They are thrilled and do remarkably well to learn cursive. I thought they's get ink on their clothes or skin, but didn't.
@@ccmarcum that's so impressive!
Aww that’s so nice what a great story ❤️🇨🇦
I love your grocery store tours! The prices in France always surprise me because I live in Canada. Many of the items you highlighted are available here but at double/triple/10X the cost.
I live in the uk and I pop over regularly and buy 95% these things each trip :)
Man, I think I need to get off the computer. I read your comment as "..and i poo over there regularly." Haha. Glad you make the trip often. Such good stuff!
I am a Frenchman living in France and I like watching your videos, if only because I understand everything you say without putting on the English subtitles.
While last in Parris I bought two tea towels with an unusual textile design. I framed one & hung it in my kitchen where I get a lot of complimentary comments about my "etching".
First time I've been in India (2007) I was surprised to see "Bonne maman" jam in a little super market; it was the only French product available there. Just to say how world wide this product is. The thing you can also easily find is Nuttela but it's not French.
Bravo Diane, even if I'm French I enjoy all of your videos.
For French chocolate, I always go to the Grand Epicerie at Bon Marche. They have chocolate made in France.
As an American, I was so happy to see you zeroed in on the same items/brands I always focus on bringing back. The Claire Fonteine cahiers, fountain pens, and highlighters bring back so many memories of going to school in France in the 1970s! Before we could get them in the States, Maille mustard, Haribo, Nutella, and Héro syrups were high on my list of "imports." Instead of tea towels, I'd buy oil cloth in cool patterns to use to make bags and place mats for gifts. Today, I buy certain Nexus face cream and eye serum at the pharmacy because it's such an effective, nice smelling, yet inexpensive brand.
I bring back the salted caramel spread to NZ and have it on my crêpes or waffles to remind me of France….for the short time it lasts 😁
Pas longtemps, j'imagine 😂
Hello Dianne, I have a little story to tell, about the wine you can see at exactly 19:44 of your video. I was in the queue to pay, in a French supermarket - nothing unusual, I am French, and I live in France - I had picked up randomly a bottle of wine, and when I put it on the counter, the woman behind me cried « you have found some ? Where did you find this bottle ? » So I told her, and she immediately took off to go and get some. So when we opened that bottle, we paid extra attention : the wine was really good, the price was very good. That was twenty years ago, and, since then, I have remained faithful to the Médoc Merrain Rouge, it never disappointed me !
Most french story ever told. Love it.
Perfect timing with this video! I'll be in France in two weeks and will be sure to pick up some of these items. Thanks so much!
Kinder is the german word for "children" , but the main brand is Ferrero and is Italian
Bonne Maman or LU cookies, canned pate, bar soaps & dish towels are my favorite Monoprix souvenirs. French baby foods are always appreciated too...they are definitely more "gourmet" compared to what we find in the US.
Bonne Maman and LU are readily available in US supermarkets from Acme to Whole Foods.
They have so many yummy Bonne Maman items you can't get in the US or at least not in all areas. I've never seen their cookies, madelines, etc, just the jams ❤️ We brought the citron tartes and little tendres coeur cakes. So delicious ❤️
I always bring back some herbes de Provence. The blends I find in the US contain lavender, which adds a discordant note.
What a great idea to take edible treats like cookies as gifts/souvenirs from any country. It is harder to be original these days since globalisation, but still there are gems in any country that aren't available anywhere else. I don't live in France, but in UK we can get the Bonne Maman compote in jars and I'd definitely recommend those as gifts. Delicious. And any of the chestnut products. I've yet to find anyone who can make a decent Madeleine but the French. Another Bonne Maman idea. Dish towels? Yes! And if they have a few French words on I'd venture to say you could take one back as a gift for your boss! And every kid should have a book in French! Brilliant! Terrific video Diane, with so many lovely suggestions.
Great idea! When heading to Italy or Turkey, I take gifts to my friends there and then have plenty of space in my luggage. The day before departure I head to the supermarket and load up on fabulous food and treats. They are always a hit with family and friends.
Diane, your nail polish is a perfect match for the crème de marrons! Very chic :D
Yes, I did learn how to write with a fountain pen! And kids use navy blue, not black.
I noticed the nail enamel. It was a lovely shade.
It may depend on the flavor but some of the Maille mustards here in the US come from Canada. I've tried the chestnut spread, I assume it's just for baking. It's sweet but didn't have much chestnut flavor. If you like canned sardines, you can get sardines packed in butter. I've not seen this from other countries, it's pretty amazing if you happen to be a canned sardine eater.
Exactly! I think I mentioned that the Maille mustard we find in the US isn't actually imported from France so best to snatch up a few varieties when in France for sure! Are you a fan of sardines? I'm not but Tom loves them!
quebec is french 👏🏻
@@michael8590it’s not in Europe though😂
@@OuiInFrancethe thing is that Maille is not a French brand 1nymorz for a long time. But a brand of Unilever group. So no surprise you can find this almost everywhere. And take care about "Moutarde de Dijon", that is still not protected as AOP so everyone can do it's own mustard everywhere and called this "Moutarde de Dijon". It's just kind of "receipt" 😢
Thank you so much. I really enjoyed this video. I shopped at Monopris when in Paris. So much fun. I found so many items we don't have here. The best part is that it stocks made in France items. Thanks again.😊
Excellent choices! The Monoprix bags were always a huge hit for me. I'd also buy Heinz 3 Poivres sauce, a wide variety of Petit Marseillais products to put in the bags, the different types of salt, Lipton's Lady Grey tea or the ones in little tied balls and I'd also pick up washing mitts for the shower/bath. I think the strangest request I got was from a pregnant colleague - she had an incredible hankering for Harry's bread (the one with the chocolate chips). Try bringing two squishy loaves of that stuff onto the plane in the overhead compartment 🤣
As always, a super high quality video that I suggest to anyone going to France. Monoprix is a one stop souvenir shop for so many small, French items that are easy to pack etc. I especially like the fact that you were in Angers because I studied at the Catho for several summers. Merci encore une fois et j'ai hâte de voir votre prochaine vidéo!
Thanks for the great vlog. Its so slow and clear, everything is clear
Great to hear!
My favourite French mustard is from Edmund Fallot.
When I go to Paris, I always haunt Monoprix. Last year I purchased a beautiful cashmere sweater, a gift for me! I also pick up the Monoprix reusable shopping bags and soaps as gifts.
Very nice vlog, please make more of these kinds,❤
What delightful gifts you found. Something novel to add a bit of spark to the lives of family and friends.
Enjoyable video.... Makes me feel like I want to buy all the products... 😉
You skipped over the miel d'acacia. Impossible to find in the US and unbelievably delicious.
Sorry about that!! I do my narration on the fly to keep it spontaneous and natural and totally didn't see it!
Acacia honey is lovely. I bought a jar on a whim in a bicycle shop in Auxerre.
Thank you for talking the time to film this, very informative 💙
The paper napkins at Monoprix are just great. Thicker and nice feeling than US brands. The cocktail size are a great gift/ souvenir.
Also the toothpicks! Much better than what we can get in the US.
I love the nylon shopping bags! Every time I go, I bring a different one back and that’s what I use when I go to the grocery store here in the US. They are the best!
I love your grocery store videos. Last year from your videos I went into every Monoprix I came across. I bought scarves, candy and loads of the little bags to give as gifts. I can't wait to go back. Also, thanks for the U.S store link, I've ordered from them as well.
The most frequent request from my friends/family: gants de toilette and a bar of soap - especially if it's the brand "Le chat". So many cat lovers in my circle! LOL I love that it's cruelty-free AND smells so good!
A guest brought us something years ago that we still use constantly and love: tapered, handle-less espresso cups. There are six, each color showing a different favorite French destination. Great gift.
I have to say I adore French products because of the excellent quality and the variety. I go to the supermarket for cookies, jam, paste, and honey, but I also visit marche for cheeses to stock up.
Actually, it’s quite fascinating to see what’s in the supermarkets in other countries. Thank you
We have a lot of favourite things in common! 😊
Thanks for that good report. I agree that Monoprix is a cut above the other supermarket chain. I hope that it lasts because I have just read about how it is being caught up in the financial maelstrom of the Casino group. Apparently here are lay offs and resupply problems affecting some stores more than others. So far our local Monoprix at Lisieux seems to have maintained its standards. I would urge people to keep buying there so as to contribute to solving their problems.
Chestnut spread and soaps sounds like a good idea
I agree great job
I love French stationery. I was delighted to learn that French people write with fountain pens.
My mom used foutain pens in elementary school in Montreal
I loooooove French grocery stores!
Merci! I love Monoprix especially the grocery bags.
black cherry jam, madeleines with jam filling, cheese, LU Petite Ecolier, Michel & Augestin Apero crackers, individual wrapped Valier (Swiss) chocolates, sea salt, mustard, and advent calendars. you hit all the good gifts
thanks for the video! one thing i really liked was the carre four almond shampoo. i brought back a small bottle and lost it but then my french friends came and stayed with me here in ny so i asked them to get that carre four almond shampoo for me. the smell is wonderful i dont know what they use in that. i brought back the chocolate cookies from the brand you mentioned for everyone here french baked goods are the best in the world! ive never had such good baked goods anywhere in the world and they are so affordable. i was able to safely bring back an albino armani bottle of wine from near the dolomites but when i was on trenitalia the wine bag broke and i lost the second bottle i had 😅
I loved this video. I want to go back to France soon and will visit this market. It was so informative. Love all things French!
Thank you for the great video! I too like to give useful gifts and buy useful souvenirs. We have a trip to France planed next year, and this was a very helpful video.
I can purchase the Bonne Maman cookies from France here in Alabama, USA - at Publix. Love the lemon tartlets. That grocery market is lovely….clean and neat and nicely stocked.
Something about stationary that's worth noting too is that the standard paper sheet size is not the same in France and North America.
I live in Canada now and I didn't know before moving that they are not 21cm x 29.7cm here (they are shorter and wider). So if you have any folder storage or anything to put papers in, the standard A4 won't fit.
Also, I feel like the clothes at Monoprix are not that bad. I've seen pretty expensive things like cashmere sweater and everything. I've never bought anything from Monoprix but I feel like it's maybe even better than an H&M. I'd love to have anyone's feedback on it you've ever tried their clothing section.
This answers some of my souvenir questions. Thanks!
You're welcome!
Thanks, this is so helpful. We will be in France next spring and are looking forward to bringing back some gifts for friends.
There are all kinds of food I wanted to bring home and didn't have room for. I can't wait for our next trip ❤
I have just stumbled across your channel! Thank you so much! I subscribed instantly. I hope to get to France one day. Oh, and the Bonne Maman products - we get their wonderful jams and preserves here but I had no idea they made cookies! Yum! I understand that the Bonne Maman company has a wonderful history of helping Jews during WWII.
Welcome, thanks for subscribing!
You've got to do more of these. After all, the whole idea about learning French is - well, honestly - about the food and wine!
Check out the playlist I linked in the description with a bunch more grocery store content I've done!
If you like spicy mustard, try Amora……It’s piquante & makes an amazing vinaigrette salad dressing. It is also available in a plastic bottle which is great for packing/travel.
The holidays are right around the corner, thanks for the ideas (:
You're welcome!
Just curious, I noticed when you walked into the market that there were several stairs down into the market. Is there a way to get in for folks that have trouble getting around? When visiting several years ago, we noticed that there are few accessibility options for public places. (metro, museums, hotels, stores)
There's an elevator in this particular store
How familiar you're with the french very yummy food😅you really know what is tasty 👏👏
Thank you 😋
Always worth a visit to the kitchenware/tableware aisles in a big Leclerc or Carrefour to find gadgets, cutlery etc that are either hard to find in most other countries or significantly cheaper or better designs in France - eg those little steel towers for storing Nespresso pods (never seen one in the U.K.) or the very elegant Laguiole-style solid steel steak knives for 30 euros a set of 6 we bought in Leclerc Bergerac!
Bravo🌟you're an expert...
fabulous
I always bring back fleur de sel... cheap in the supermarket there and an exorbitant import here. Lightweight & unbreakable.
Also love the large shopping bags from Super U: they have loops for bottles! [At least, they used to... I haven't been back lately.]
The black tea , a la vanille . Definitely a must take back in usa
I always shop,grocery stores when I’m traveling for food souvenirs
In Quebec French we say: chaque torchon a sa gueneille
"gueneille" ? Qu'est-ce donc ?
@@LizzieJaneBennet c'est un torchon usé
Moi je dirais même plus, faut pas mélanger les torchons avec les serviettes 😉
"Guenille « in metropolitan French
This is so helpful! Thank you Diane for this video. I am looking for no-print white socks, and now I know where I can buy them haha
You are so welcome!
best store ever!
Mon Cheris are the best thing there. We can’t buy anything like them in the US, though I’ve found some of the other things in import aisles. I need to go back to France just to get more of those.
I love Monoprix❤ thanks
Hello Diane. I m french 100 %. I must say congratulations for the way you said "sel de Guérande".. i know "R" are difficult to speak for English talking people.. but your "Guérande" prononciation was almost perfect 👍👌
Oh thank you!
Monoprix aux Halles! I really miss living in Angers. I'd recommend Maille Cornichons à la Russe (huge, giant gherkins). I'd also recommend the revamped U in nearby Beaucouzé, which had loads of products I've not seen in other large supermarkets.
I agree with you for the brand bonne maman and the chesnut spread😊 butvI never buy my honey in supermarkets... I'm not confident about where it comes from...
What's your favorite honey producer?
@@OuiInFrance I buy my honey from market stalls, directly to the producers
I live next to Angers and my daughter's name is Diane ;-). Love watching your videos !
I still miss pains au chocolat and candy mark Boobliezz from my university excange period from last spring semester from France.😞 You can find Boobliezz candies from the bulk candy shelves (irtomakeishyllyt in Finnish) or from the cruising ships between Tallinn and Stockholm here from Finland.😞 Salutations de la Finlande! Greetings from Finland! Terveisiä Suomesta!
Chocolate and potato chips! They would never make it to the airport. There are two yummy for the tummy.
Tinned foie gras is good present, biscoff spread is good while technically not French, raclette cheese, tapenade, fish soup pot but risky to take in suitcase, saucisson sec
It is about the experience of shopping. I do not remember the products I bought or the brands. But I do remember how nice the people who worked in the super market were to me. They used to say bonjour & au revoir to me. Actually I used to say it first. I was in digne les bains in south france. Even clothes shopping is the same the experience matters. Not the products
"Sablés" are named "Sablés" because when you prepare them the dough must have the consistency of sand. And when you eat them, they tend to break into sandy little pieces. For notebook, lined ones exist but not for children: the squares with the little lines inside are made for children to learn how to write each character correctly in terms of height.
Yup, 100% true!
Bonjour Diane. I so enjoy your tours of French stores especially Le Monoprix. I enjoyed shopping in the Monoprix at Les Halles Angers. It was perfectly stocked with everything I could want. I purchased some excellent blanc de blanc brut for 9€ and an very good demi bottle of cote du rhone for 5€. I assembled my choices for Le charcuterie and veggies and enjoy my supper in my beautiful and well equipped flat. Baguettes came from Le boulangerie comeillé.
Great seeing you on your UA-cam channel. Happy Halloween.
💝💝💝 Awesome!
Hello when you get the chance. Please do a video of organic stores. Thanks! ❤
Absolutely will if that's of interest. :-) The main one by me is Biocoop, so thumbs up my reply here if you want to see an organic store!
My favorite video so far
So glad you enjoyed it!
When my daughter was recently in Nouméa, I got her to drop into the Géant Casino to pick up a couple of cans of Cassoulet.
Okay, but the Carrefour brand raspberry jam filled, chocolate covered cookies were my go to when I was in France.
The difference between Carrefour and Monoprix is that the first is a chain of very large supermarket, often on the outskirts of towns and often only accessible by car. Conversely, Monoprix is a city center supermarket chain, more accessible for pedestrians.
Often, Monoprix is considered more upscale, with higher prices than large supermarkets on the outskirts.
Conversely, you have the Super U supermarket chain which rather targets medium-sized towns (less than 50,000 inhabitants) in the countryside and is absent from large cities.
For your information, Angers is a city of 152,000 inhabitants, which is considered a relatively large city for France (16th most populous city in France).
French canned seafood. Incredibly expensive globally outside of France.
Great video! I just went to Bordeaux for 9 days. I probably should have went to grocery store. Next time.
Such a fun video! Merci!!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Where would I buy a nice scarf, don't need silk, a scarf for spring/summer that you would put under a coat that you can wrap around your neck and leave long. Thx!!
Thank you for the video!
My pleasure!
They don’t seem to have the high inflated rates there that we do here which is great to see!
It’s a tradition of mine that the day before I go home from Paris, I go to the grocery store and LOAD UP on stuff. Honey, olive oil, truffle oil, madeleines, butter cookies, loose leaf tea, chocolate, preservatives, and cheese. Once I run out of my French goods, I know it’s time for a return trip!
Pretty much anything Michel et Augustin is my go-to. Their savory petits beurre/sablés biscuits in a variety of AOP flavors you'll never find stateside (sadly) are INSANE for cheese/cracker lovers (Beaufort, Ossau Iraty avec piment d'Espelette current favorites).
I was pretty sad when I finished off my stash I managed to stuff my carry-on with within a few weeks after our trip this summer.
Fortunately my brother-in-law surprised me with a few fresh bags when he came over from Paris for our wedding.
Those didn't last long either...