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Most people arriving in Paris will find food prices more expensive
then they are accustomed to. So here are some tips on how to get
by in Paris without spending too much money on food.
The cheapest method is to find a supermarche (supermarket) and
to purchase food there. Supermarkets in Paris (like most of Europe)
operate differently than they do
in the states. When you purchase fruit you have to weigh the
fruit on the scales next to the fruit stand and push the appropriate
button to get the sticker. Cashiers DO NOT have the ability to
weigh fruit at the register. If you are brave enough to try purchasing
sliced deli products remember that everything is ordered in grams
so if you want about a pound of sliced ham you would ask for 500
grams of ham.
One word of warning. I have heard of, but not myself experienced,
that some cashiers have ripped people off, especially Americans.
The typical ploy was to give change on a 200F note as opposed
to the 500F note you gave them. So just as a precaution try to
use small denomination notes when paying for your groceries. Better
yet, bring your VISA card! Most supermarkets in France take VISA.
Patisserie's sell french bread (baguette) which is absolutely
delicious and makes a good sandwich. They typically run about
4-5F. Many patisserie also sell pre-made sandwiches on baguette
which are generally priced from 18F on up. While not a great bargain
if you're not in the mood to make a sandwich then you'll pay for
the convenience. There are also alot of sidewalk sellers of sandwiches
too.
Crepe's are another unique french food which you must try at
least once and depending on how much you shop around you can get
crepe au chocolat for 15F. If you are near the Bir-Hakeim metro
stop you can buy them right outside the metro and by the time
you get to Champs de Mars (Eiffel Tower) they will have cooled
off enough to eat. And what a place to eat them in!
Coffee. French coffee is what I have always known as espresso.
So those unaccustomed to this will have to get used to it because
it's the only type of coffee you are going to get. Coffee prices
vary wildly and you can pay anywhere from 4F at McDonalds to 35F
($7US) along the Champs-Elysées! Make sure when you purchase
your coffee at McDonalds to go (sans place). This will save you
about 30 centimes tax for not drinking it there.
All around Paris you will see 'Sandwich Grec' places, otherwise
known as gyros. Some of these places give you an excellent and
filling meal on the cheap. For about 22-25F you will get a Sandwich
Grec with french fries. Some places to check out are along rue
St. Denis, around the Bastille and in St. Michel.
Soda's and water. Not surprisingly bottled water in France is
very inexpensive (compared to the states) and for 19F you can
get six 1.5 litre bottles of water. This compares against 9F for
one litre of Coca Cola. And you will see just about everyone in
France is carrying bottled water. While not real palatable, very
minerally tasting, the brand Contrex is what I noticed most people
drinking. Next comes Vittel and almost no one drinks Evian.
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