Shopping and Household

 

SHOPPING

Shopping in France can be interesting, time consuming and from time to time baffling. While there are definite similarities to shopping in any other country, there are still differences that you need to be aware of upon your arrival in France. Opening hours and the kinds of shops you’ll be going to may differ from those you are used to. Check in advance as there will be variances. In most small villages, shops are open Tuesday through Saturday all day from 8:00 or 8:30 until 19:00 or 19:30 EXCEPT during lunch time: 12:30 - 14:00 or 15:00 or even 16:00. They may open fifteen to twenty minutes after the hour posted. Many village food-related shops like Casino (as opposed to those in the city) are open Sunday morning. There is a definite relationship between being open on Sunday morning and being closed on Mondays. Bakeries have all sorts of hours. Most post offices will close for lunch. Major supermarkets such as Leclerc and Carrefour, gas stations and stores in downtown Toulouse stay open all day.
Come July and August, many shops close for extended periods to enjoy “les vacances”. So in all cases, be aware.

Large commercial shopping centers (centres commerciaux) are open Monday through Saturday without a lunch break, but are closed on Sundays. They usually open at 9:00 and close at 19:00 or 20:00. This makes them the place to go for late or last minute shopping. But watch out, as winding your way through these giant “hypermarkets” is rarely a speedy affair, and they should be avoided, if at all possible, on Saturdays! Remember to have a 10 franc coin ready when going to a supermarket or hypermarket. The French have a very efficient method for assuring that shopping carts (caddie) do not leave the premises. Each cart has a lock mechanism into which you insert the 10 francs, which will free your cart from the chain holding it in-place. When you return the cart and reconnect the chain, your 10 francs is returned. Should you need some change, don’t be afraid to ask “Est-ce que je peux avoir une pièce pour le caddie?” You can obtain a free token (jeton) at the information desk of big supermarkets or hypermarkets, which you can keep, and use in the shopping cart instead of a coin.

Your French shopping adventure should be fun. Don’t worry about your language ability or lack thereof. Many French people either understand and/or speak a little English and shopkeepers, especially in the Southwest of France, are quite sympathetic and patient with foreigners. Remember, poor French is more useful than good English. Just keep your sense of humor!

CONVENIENT SHOPPING CENTERS

Note: A “centre commercial” is always anchored by a large/huge supermarket such as Carrefour, Leclerc, Auchan or Géant Casino with a large number of specialty shops incorporated into the “mall” and surrounding areas.

Carrefour, Route de Bayonne, Purpan Mall with hypermarket and several smaller shops. Decathlon sporting goods store across the street.
Carrefour, Labège Mall with many shops, including a C&A department store and a large hypermarket. Many large shops on the parking lot, including sporting goods, a carpet store, a baby store, an excellent home accessory store (Midica), a large movie theater complex and a bowling center.
Carrefour, Portet-sur-Garonne Largest shopping mall in Toulouse, with the largest hypermarket in Europe. (Can you believe 100 check-out counters ?). Stores in the vicinity include Kiabi, (a reasonably priced family clothing store), Toys R Us, home-centers stores, sporting good shops, hi-fi centers and more. In the mall, try the Italian restaurant with deep-dish pizza.
Hyper U, Plein Centre, Colomiers City shopping center with a smaller supermarket, good hardware stores, several shops, a café, a cafeteria and excellent free parking.
Géant Casino, Fenouillet Large supermarket.
Géant Casino, Mirail Large supermarket.
Géant Casino, Pont des Demoiselles Medium sized supermarket.
Géant Casino, Place Arnaud Bernard,Toulouse Downtown Toulouse medium sized supermarket.
Géant Casino, Centre CommercialSt. Georges Central downtown Toukouse medium sized supermarket in a fairly expensive area.
Leclerc and Castorama, St. Orens Very large showcase store for this hypermarket chain. Wide variety. Mall includes a variety of shops and restaurants including a cafeteria and a pizzeria with real deep-dish pizza. On the lot there is a very large Castorama home center store.
Leclerc, Blagnac (near the airport) Mall, similar to the one at St. Orens. Plenty of clothing stores, toys shops, Decathlon sporting goods store, cafeteria, two pizzerias, a large movie theater complex.
Leclerc, Roques Mall Hypermarket with Ikéa, a big household and furniture goods.
Leclerc, Rouffiac Medium-sized hypermarket.
Auchan, Gramont Large hypermarket in mall with some shops.

Note: There is a German food store chain called LIDL. They have less expensively priced foods, and often have great finds such as cream cheese, German sausages, holiday cookies, candies and other treats.

There is no organized help to bag your groceries at the supermarket, although some cashiers might give you a hand in smaller shops. Champion has a system to help you bag your purchases.
Please be aware that Leclerc doesn’t distribute plastic carrying bags. In an effort to reduce pollution, their policy is to sell big heavy-duty plastic bags for a symbolic amount. This bag will then be exchanged for free when damaged.

Toulouse center has two higher quality department stores: Nouvelles Galeries, moderate to high prices, with a supermarket in its basement having a good international variety of products, including English, German, Chinese, Mexican and American products and Galeries Lafayette, basically a clothing and cosmetics store and slightly more expensive than Nouvelles Galeries. There is also a Marks & Spencer department store. This British chain is known for its high quality, brand goods and offers a small basement food shop selling British products. Many of these foods, such as cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, strong English teas, sausages, bacon, scones and a variety of English desserts including Christmas puddings and custard at Christmas cannot be found elsewhere in Toulouse. They also carry a variety of English breads and muffins. Another town center department store is Monoprix. The supermarket upstairs is small, but again, has a good international variety as well as the basics in fruit, vegetable, meat, cheese, and dairy products.

There are two shopping malls in Toulouse center, both complete with supermarket and underground parking garage: Compans-Caffarelli and Centre Commercial St. Georges (under the Place Occitane) near the Place St. Georges, a pretty square surrounded with sidewalk cafes and the center of fashion shops on the Rue de La Pomme.

There are two covered “farmers’’ markets in downtown Toulouse: marché Victor Hugo and marché des Carmes with both open mornings only, Tuesday - Sunday. Each is on the ground floor of a multi-level parking lot. Victor Hugo is not to be missed for its wide variety of fresh fish, meats, and cheeses. Les Carmes specializes in fruits and vegetables. While at Victor Hugo, make sure you go up to the mezzanine the staircase in the middle of the market for an inexpensive but delicious lunch made from the fresh ingredients found in the market below. These restaurant “stalls” are only open for lunch.

If you’re looking for more “exotic” ingredients try the Asian food markets. There are two located on the Rue Denfert-Rochereau in town, where there are also good Chinese restaurants. There is another good Chinese restaurant on the Place du Cimetière. Lastly, in the Mirail neighborhood, there’s Mon Asie and Hyper Asia at 22 route de St. Simon. On the other side of town, an Asian supermarket has opened at the St. Orens exit of the Rocade.
Other exotic and foreign goods can be found at the épiceries fines, gourmet food shops. While they may have the things you’re looking for, you may find them relatively expensive.
Some addresses:
Bacquié - 5 pl. Victor-Hugo La Bonne Maison - 42 rue de Metz
Busquets - 10 rue de Rémusat

It should be noted, however, that the local hypermarkets have begun to carry a much greater variety of specialty ingredients.

The Marché Gare on the Route de Paris is open to the public every Saturday from November to Easter. It sells trees, plants, shrubs and other plantings at wholesale prices. Each car is charged a small entry fee.

WHERE TO FIND AMERICAN AND ENGLISH INGREDIENTS

Leclerc Supermarket (St. Orens, Rouffiac, Blagnac) and Carrefour (Portet, Labège & Purpan): English cheddar, mozzarella, ricotta and provolone at the cheese counter, peanut butter, maple syrup, small pancake mix, English muffins, some Indian spices and ingredients are all available. Mexican food and Oriental ingredients are located in the diététique aisle, with fresh husked corn (in season), fresh sweet potatoes, and limes. Many of these products can also be found elsewhere. If Bisquick is a favorite, go to Carrefour!

Nouvelles Galeries (Toulouse center): cottage cheese (plain and flavored), imported German, British and American canned goods, cereals, cookies/biscuits, crackers, ricotta, mozzarella and cheddar cheese, molasses, pancake mix. Italian stand with Italian cold cuts, fresh pasta and cheeses, imported (and expensive) fresh cranberries in season, sweet potatoes and limes.

The épiceries fines (see gourmet stores listed above): molasses, peanut butter, Mexican food, imported jams, crackers, Worcestershire sauce, maple syrup, pancake mix, sometimes even pecans and wild rice, confiture or sauce aux airelles (the closest thing to American cranberry sauce you’ll probably find) and, of course, spices.

In magasins diététiques (health food stores) you can usually find molasses and whole wheat and buckwheat flour as well as other whole-wheat items, tofu and herbal teas.

Les surgelés Picard (Blagnac, Colomiers, Ramonville, Tournefeuille, Toulouse): excellent quality and diversity of multinational frozen food products. In some areas they will deliver.

Marché Victor Hugo (Toulouse center): Italian cheeses, English cheddar.
Comptoir du Monde (rue Kennedy) many food products from various countries including some refrigerated goods.
Do not worry if you can’t find the exact ingredient or product you’re looking for. There may be a French equivalent. See following pages.

OPEN-AIR MARKETS

You will find these all over France and Europe in general. Every village surrounding Toulouse seems to have one, one morning a week. The village markets tend to sell produce, cheese, and meats (look for the farmers’ wives selling farm-fresh poultry and eggs). There are certain specific markets, however, that have a broader selection of products, as do the open air markets in Toulouse. Here are the major ones:

Boulevard de Strasbourg ,Toulouse The biggest (and least expensive) in Toulouse center, every morning except Monday.
St. Aubin, Toulouse Real farmers’ market, complete with live poultry and wonderful fresh herbs. Every Sunday morning.
Balma Saturday mornings.
Blagnac Tuesday & Sunday mornings.
Plein Centre Colomiers Thursday & Saturday mornings.
Grenade Saturday mornings.
Plein Centre Tournefeuille non-food markets Sunday mornings.
Pibrac Wednesday morning, with British specialties.
L’Union, Centre ville Every Sunday morning. Farmer’s market and more.
Place du Capitole, Toulouse Bio (organic) market, Saturday mornings.
Place du Capitole, Toulouse Clothing, pottery, leather goods, used books. Every morning except Monday. Wednesday, all day.
St. Sernin, Toulouse Every Sunday morning. Same as above plus ‘flea market’.
Allees Jules Guesde, Toulouse Brocante (not-quite-antiques) market the first weekend of every month (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). A week-long version is held twice yearly (May and October) around the St. Sernin Basilica.

EVERYDAY PHRASES YOU’LL HEAR AND USE AT THE MARKET

Shopping in France can be a pleasant experience if you attempt to develop a rapport with the vendors and shopkeepers. You’ll find greetings like “bonjour” and “bonne journée” (on leaving) really make a difference. When you say “excusez-moi, je ne comprends pas” (excuse me, I don’t understand) the shopkeepers will be quite understanding and very helpful.
These little phrases will help make your visit more enjoyable:

Avec ceci? Or avec ça? What would you like with this?
Combien en voulez vous ? How many … do you want?
C’est tout, merci That’s all, thanks.
Ne touchez pas Don’t touch
Je peux vous aider? Can I help you?
Vous cherchez quelque chose? Are you looking for something inparticular?
Merci, je regarde I’m just looking
C’est combien? How much is it?
Écrivez-le, s’il vous plaît Write it, please
Cinq cent grammes (500 grams) or une livre 1 lb

SHOPPING TIPS

You will find many new foods that you may have never seen before, both fresh and prepared. It is fun to try them! There are wonderful varieties of cheese and pâté - in most shops they’ll be glad to let you taste a little bit (especially cheese) - just say “est-ce que je peux goûter?” (Can I taste?) French wines are also a pleasure - there’s a wide variety available in the hypermarkets but you can also go to the local cave for more service. Try visiting some of the vineyards in the nearby wine regions if you really want to “discover” French wine. A dégustation is an invitation to sample.

There are, of course, many differences in shopping. For one thing, the shopper does his or her own bagging. The bags are small and plastic. If they don’t give you enough just ask for “des sacs, s’il vous plaît” (bags are also called “poches” in the Southwest - this means ‘pockets’ and is a fairly accurate description of their size!). In the interest of conservation and the non-proliferation of the above mentionned small plastic bags, Leclerc does not provide any bags for free. You can, however, purchase large heavy-weight plastic bags that are re-usable for one symbolic franc. This is an effective system, except on those occasions when you are in the store and realize that your bags are still in your car! Of course, you can bring your own basket, or other form of container, to any of the super/hyper markets. For farmers’ market shopping you’ll need to bring your own bag or, better yet, a basket. Save your egg cartons from the supermarket if you want farm-fresh eggs - otherwise, they’ll give them to you in a brown paper bag and you’ll probably break half of them before you get home.

Methods of payment may be different from your home country as debit cards and machine-written checks are common in the larger stores here. See Chapter 11, Banking, for more information.

DUTY FREE SHOPPING

Visitors to France can obtain an approximate 20% sales tax refund on goods purchased. Residents of the EEC or those holding work permits in France are not eligible for this refund. However, the total price of purchase or purchases, with the exception of food products, must total 2,000 Francs / 305 Euros or more, from one store, but can be made over a period of up to 6 months. Keep all receipts.
The shop from which you made your purchase(s) will, after a check on your passport, fill out all of the necessary forms for the refund. You will pay the sales tax at the time of the purchase, but once the store has proof that you have left the country with the goods (having received a form stamped by the customs officials at the airport détaxe office, and mailed back to the store by you) they will send you back your un-cashed French check (covering the sales tax portion of the purchase) or a French check written by the store or they will deposit the refund into your French bank account, or that of a friend if you have given them the necessary information. If you are to receive your reimbursement by deposit on a French bank account, it is suggested that you make a photocopy of your receipt and mail it to the friend who is acting on your behalf. Sometimes the store will need a reminder to issue the refund.
Make sure to leave extra time at the airport if you are having such refund forms stamped, as customs officials may ask you to show them the goods being exported.

SHOPPING REFERENCES IN TOULOUSE

Arts and crafts

Beaux-arts Service70 route de BruguièresCastelginestTel: 05 61 70 57 26 Tout pour le dessin7 rue des LoisToulouse Tel: 05 61 21 15 39
Les couleurs du temps15 rue Paul VidalToulouseTel: 05 61 12 42 15 Crayons et Images0 rue GiletColomiersTel: 05 62 74 03 45

Children: toys, books and more

Espace Milan23 rue des Puits ClosToulouseTel: 05 61 23 16 17 Imaginarium40 rue de MetzToulouseTel: 05 61 52 50 23
Nature et découvertes64 rue de la Pomme ToulouseTel: 05 61 22 63 20 ImaginariumCarrefour MallPortet sur GaronneTel: 05 62 20 25 84

Books and music

Cultura12 Boulevard de l’Europe(opposite side of Carrefour)Portet sur GaronneTel: 05 61 72 39 48 or 05 62 87 68 76 FNAC16 allées F. RooseveltToulouseTel: 05 61 11 01 01www.fnac.com

Household
See the yellow pages in the “Bricolage” section for more addresses

Midica13 place EsquirolToulouse Tel: 05 61 14 82 82Everything for home decoration MidicaCentre Commercial CarrefourLabègeTel: 05 61 39 27 00
CastoramaPortet sur GaronneTel: 05 61 72 89 89Do it yourself CastoramaSt Orens, centre LeclercTel: 05 61 00 60 30
Droguerie Marty Roubichou41 rue du LanguedocToulouseTel: 05 61 52 75 67Specialist for wood painting En matière de Déco11 route de Saint SimonToulouseTel 05 61 07 53 81Run courses in home decoration
Petits Points17 rue PasteurBalgnacTel: 05 62 74 19 45Everything for cross-stitch Cousines et compagnie13 rue Sainte UrsuleToulouseTel: 05 61 29 82 92Cross-stitch, patchwork, & fabrics
Quilt & Patch87 avenue de FrontonToulouse Tel: 05 34 40 80 91Patchwork Bouchara47 rue Alsace LorraineToulouseTel: 05 61 21 54 14Fabrics

Gardening
See the yellow pages in the “Jardinerie” section for more addresses

TruffautRoute de LavaurBalmaTel: 05 34 25 59 60 Les Espaces Verts du Languedoc243 route de BayonneSaint Martin du TouchTel: 05 61 49 21 71
JardilandRoute de RevelLabègeTel: 05 61 54 29 60 Jardiland295 route d’EspagnePortet sur GaronneTel: 05 62 87 15 87

Firewood in small quantities
Etablissement MassonnaudSt LysTel: 05 61 85 47 10 Transport St AndréMarquefaveTel: 05 61 87 86 40 or 06 08 71 14 91

SERVICE-ORIENTED VOCABULARY

Alterations Les retouches
Auto repair shop/car service Le garage
Automatic teller (ATM) Cash dispenser Le distributeur de billets (DAB)
Bakery La boulangerie (often one in the same with cake shop) Boulangerie/Pâtisserie
Bank, banker La banque, le banquier
Bar, restaurant Le café/le bar, le restaurant
Bar, light meals La brasserie (brewery)
Body shop L’atelier de carrosserie
Bookstore La librairie
Butcher shop La boucherie
Candy, confectionery La confiserie
Clothes Le magasin de vêtements
Cheese shop La crèmerie
Decorator Le décorateur
Delicatessen Le traiteur (ready-made dishes, fancy cold cuts and meats, caterer)
Dentist Le chirurgien-dentiste
Doctor Le médecin
Do-it-yourself Le bricolage
Drapery fabrics, sheets & wallpaper Le tissu, voilage/rideaux, papier peint
Drugstore La droguerie (more like a hardware store, no drugs)
Drugstore/Chemist La pharmacie (prescriptions & over-the-counter baby & pet care supplies)
Dry-cleaning Nettoyage à sec (also see pressing)
Emergency repairs Dépannage
Fish shop La poissonnerie
Florist Le fleuriste
Food store L’alimentation, l’épicerie
Framing Encadrements
Furniture Les meubles
Furniture refinishing L’ébénisterie
Garden Center La jardinerie
Game Le gibier
Green grocer Le primeur
Hairdresser Le coiffeur
Hardware store La quincaillerie
Insurance L’assurance
Jewelry store La bijouterie
Laundry La blanchisserie, la laverie / Lavomatique (laundromat)
Leather goods La maroquinerie
Key duplication Clés minute
Library La bibliothèque
Market (open air, farmers) Le marché
Mending, reweaving Le raccommodage, le stoppage (for furniture)
Newsstand, tobacco shop Le kiosque à journaux / magasin de presse, le tabac
Notion shop/haberdashery La mercerie
Nursery (plants, shrubs) La pépinière
Pastry shop La pâtisserie
Pork-based cold meats, pâtés La charcuterie (often combined with the butcher shop)
Poultry Volailles
Plumber Le plombier
Rug, carpet Le tapis, la moquette
Self-service cleaning Le nettoyage self-service
Shoe repair, quick repair La cordonnerie, le bar à talons
Stationery store La papeterie
Tobacco shop Le tabac
Tools L’outillage
Upholsterer Le tapissier
Watches and clocks L’horlogerie
Wine, liquor store La cave (à vins)

MISCELLANEOUS Vocabulary

Screwdriver Le tournevis Hammer Le marteau
Wrench La clef à molette Hacksaw Scie à métaux
Hand saw Scie égoïne Electric saw Scie électrique
File La lime Drill Une perceuse
Wire cuter La cisaille Scissors Les ciseaux
Screw La vis Screw hook Crochet à vis
Bolt Le boulon Fuse Un fusible
Nail Le clou Plug Une prise
Picture hooks Crochets Lamp Une lampe
Plastic inserts La cheville Light switch L’interrupteur
Battery La pile Car batteries La batterie
Lock La serrure Light bulb L’ampoule*
Lamp shade L’abat-jour Key La clé
Female Plug La prise femelle Male plug La prise mâle
Picture Frame Le cadre Wallpaper Le papier peint
Glue La colle Brackets Les tasseaux
Paint brush Le pinceau Paint enamel L’émail

*There are two kinds of bulbs, one with threads as in the USAA, called ampoule à vis. The other has two little prongs called ampoule à baïonnette. Check your sockets before you attempt to buy.

Floor polishing and rug shampooing machines can be rented in large grocery stores or in home centers (magasins de bricolage) such as Castorama and Bricorama.

CLOTHING - Sizes
The following charts are comparable sizes. Remember that sizes vary between manufacturers and you should always try clothing on before buying. This guide should help you to determine your correct size.

Women’s Dresses, Knitwear and Blouses
France 36 38 40 42 44 46
UK 8 10 12 14 16 18
USA 6 8 10 12 14 16

Women’s Hosiery
France 1 2 3 4 5
UK 8 5 9 9 5 10 10 5
USA A B C large Extra large

Woman’s Shoes
France 35 36 37 38 39 40 41
UK 3 4 5 5 6 7 8
USA 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Children’s Clothing
France 92 104 116 128 140 152
UK 16 to 18 20 to 22 24 to 26 28 to 30 32 to 34 36 to 38
USA 2 4 6 8 10 12

Children’s Shoes
France 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37
UK/USA 11 11½ 12½ 13½ 1 2 2½ 3 3½

Men’s Ready to Wear, Sweaters
France 34 36 38 40 42 44 46
UK/USA 44 46 48 51 54 56 59

Men’s Suits
France 36 38 40 42 44 46 48
UK/USA 35 36 37 38 39 40 42

Men’s Shirts
France 36 37 38 39 40 41 42
UK/USA 14 14 5 15 15 5 16 16 5 17

Men’s Underwear
France 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
UK 32 34 36 38 40 42 44
USA S S or M M M or L L L or XL XL

Men’s Shoes
France 39 40 41 42 43 44 45
UK 5 6 7 8 8 5 9 10
USA 6 7 7 5 8 9 10 11

LAUNDRY SYMBOLS