Le Grand Épicerie Paris
Paris holds a special place in my heart for many reasons. Other than the obvious ones such as the rich history and architecture, Eiffel Tower, or the Louvre. It remains somewhere I cherish with a tight reverence and respect. The food, wine, art, music, and other worldly culture easily put me into a trance. A different mindset.
A home away from home where I truly feel like I can take deep breaths, slow down, be present and enjoy all the city has to offer.
One thing about me is that I love grocery stores. Working in restaurants as I did for many years, I really developed a passion for these almost liminal spaces where food is in abundance. A safe space, calm and planning before the storm if you will. I have many favorites locally here in Chicago but there is one that I think about everyday…
Le Grand Épicerie located on Rue de Sèvres in Paris.
La Grande Épicerie de Paris traces its roots back to Le Bon Marché, founded in Paris in 1852 and considered one of the world’s first modern department stores. So, if shopping is your thing like mine, you just also happen to also be in an epicenter of high-end fashion houses and “designer” house wares and home goods. Its food department grew over the following decades, and in 1923 a dedicated grocery space opened on Rue de Sèvres. It became La Grande Épicerie de Paris in 1978, evolving into one of Paris’s most iconic gourmet food halls, known for its exceptional French products, international specialties, and culinary ingenuity.
Initially when you walk in the front door, if you’ve never been your first thought may be “holy shit” … holy shit indeed. You’re greeted by a 360-degree layout of everything you could ever want/ need. Ranging from highly curated traditional grocery items to the most beautiful produce section. They also offer in house ready-to-eat foods, patisserie, cheese counter, butter wall, delis, wine bar, restaurants, cafes and so much more. We are not talking about a quick thirty minute, in and out trip. I would recommend allocating a good hour or two (or more) to really take your time and enjoy their offerings.
Now that I have been there many times, I am less overwhelmed and more ready to meticulously and strategically scour the isles section by section, which the store lays out so wonderfully.
I’m not here to give you a tour of the whole store, though I would love to. I am going to highlight a few of my favorite sections.
Prepared Foods/ Takeaway:
Scattered throughout the store there are a variety of prepared food options that are done in-house and very well. It really depends on what you are in the mood for that day, or if you need to cater to different tastes.
They have refrigerators filled with the most delicious but simple fresh salads, sandwiches, pasta, entrees, sweet treats, fresh juices and way more. If you need something quick and affordable maybe for a lunch break or casual dinner, you are spoiled with options.
I also love their deli counters where they offer a variety of entrees and side dishes from many cuisines such as but not limited to: Chinese, Italian, Japanese, classic French, a fresh pasta bar and more. All presented with intention and made beautifully. They also have a patisserie with some beautiful and delicate cakes, macaroons, croissants, cookies and other delicious choices. I have such a wicked sweet tooth, and a patisserie hates to see me coming.
Grocery:
The isles of the store are littered with your traditional groceries but curated to a high level. They offer a plethora of French staples as well as international imports with many brands and variety. Are you in the mood for jams or preservers? You will be happy to know there are multiple isles, dare I even say its own mini section with any type or variation you could dream of. This trend carries out through pretty much every aisle where some grocery stores might offer a couple options. This one gives you more than you may know are even out there. You can easily spend 5 to 10 minutes in each section just browsing all the wonderful options.
The produce is the star of the show, located in the middle of the store. There are walls of gorgeous and pristine fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs etc. They have the most gorgeous display of tomatoes in all shapes and sizes. The layout reminds me of farmer’s market, produce meticulously placed in baskets, carts holding the product and so on. I also love that it’s in the middle of the store and kind of tells a story that the fresh ingredients play such a role and are the heart of any dish recipe. The aisles strategically surrounding it where the possibilities are truly endless.
You could also save a trip to more specialty shops because they offer in-house butchery, cheese monger and fishmonger, a rotisserie, bakery, a library of coffees and teas, a luxury counter where they offer things like fresh truffle and caviar to the most beautiful wine and beer selection.
The Butter Wall:
Yes, it’s exactly what you think it is… a huge display of around 150 different butters from top producers in France and Europe. Instead of just being a basic grocery item, butter in France is treated like something special, almost like wine, with real attention to where it comes from and how it’s made. A lot of these butters are made using high-quality local milk and traditional methods, which gives them a rich, creamy taste. Bordier is especially popular because they hand-work their butter and even infuse it with flavors like seaweed, truffles, garlic, and spicy pepper. Its definitely a trendy thing so be warned you will probably have some company at the butter wall. Don’t forget to get some butter vacuum sealed for your trip home on your way out!
That damn chocolate mousse:
Beillevaire’s Mousse au Chocolat du Marché is smooth and rich, super chocolate-forward. Made by Beillevaire, a renowned French dairy producer known for its cheeses, butter, creams, and desserts, this mousse has the character of an authentic French pâtisserie-style treat. Its combination of rich cream and generous chocolate content creates a silky, deeply satisfying texture and a pronounced cocoa flavor that lingers beautifully on the palate. Rather than feeling like an ordinary chocolate pudding, it tastes like a carefully crafted dessert utilizing high-quality French dairy and chocolate.
I feel very inspired when I am in the store. As someone who is passionate about food and what it stands for, being in such a hub that really celebrates and boasts its product and history is special. I could carry on and on about the Pandora’s box that is this historic grocery store, but I won’t.
If you are ever in Paris, please go see and experience this place for yourself.
