SHOP, FOOD AND DRINK IN FRANCE

France Shopping and nightlife

Shopping in France

Special purchases include designer clothing, lace, crystal glass, cheese, coffee and, of course, wines, spirits and liqueurs. Le Printemps and Galleries Lafayette are among the most notable large department stores in Paris. For bargain hunters, bric-a-brac or bromate is found in a number of flea markets (marché aux puces) on the outskirts of town, most notably at the Porte de Clignancourt in Paris. Antique centers are also common. Most towns have fruit and vegetable markets on Saturday, while out-of-town hypermarkets sell everything from foodstuffs to electrical equipment.

Individual regions often have particular food or drink products closely associated with the local area. Assuming you can transport these home without too much difficulty (smelly cheese and long plane journeys aren’t a great pairing, for example), they make for great – and often cost-effective – souvenirs. Prime examples include cider and gazettes from Brittany, camembert from Normandy, bottles of first-rate fizz from Champagne and macaroons from Paris.

The capital city, in fact, offers more or less anything and everything French that you might want. Some of the prices might be a little on the eye-watering side, but you’ll find everything from fine art, one-off collectables and perfume to designer shoes, luxury stationery and postcards and prints of old Paris. Almost every store will offer to gift-wrap bought goods while you wait at the counter. And be aware that some of the city’s top-end outlets are seriously exclusive – you may have to press a buzzer to gain entry.

Shopping hours: 

Department stores open Mon-Sat 09:00-18:30. Some shops close 12:00-14:30. Food shops open 07:00-18:30/19:30. Some food shops (particularly bakers) open Sunday mornings, in which case they will probably close Monday. Many shops close all day Monday, or Monday afternoon. Hypermarkets are normally open until 21:00 or 22:00.

Nightlife in France

Nightclubs are found in all towns and cities. Their style and music vary widely, and the entrance price will sometimes include a drink. In major cities such as Paris and Lyon, clubs are occasionally free of charge, although drinks are likely to be more expensive. Nightclubs have a fixed closing time of 05:00. Theatres, late-night bars and cafés are all widespread.


Most local tourist offices publish diaries of events, available free of charge. In Paris, the likes of Pariscopeand L'Officiel des Spectacles (both of which come out weekly on Wednesdays) are sold at newspaper kiosks and list upcoming cinema programs, exhibitions and other entertainment.

In the provinces, nights out generally revolve around eating and drinking, although discos are found in the more popular tourist spots. Weekend summer festivals in rural areas are a good form of evening entertainment. As in many parts of the continent, binge-drinking isn’t traditionally seen as a prominent part of the French culture. That said, there are some fairly ribald drinking dens to be found, and in many smaller towns and villages, the local bars remain integral parts of the community. In some rural regions, it’s not uncommon for people to shake the hands of everyone present – tourists included – when entering a bar.

France Food and Drink

From the baking aromas wafting from its traditional village boulangeries to the Michelin-starred fussiness of its gourmet restaurants, France has an almost unparalleled world reputation for its food. Crucially, while the archetypal French dish is a fabulously rich thing, the national cuisine is as varied as the country's landscape, and much of its prestige comes from the quality of its regional specialties. It’s not all about the ultra-exclusive eateries either – many of the choicest gastronomic treats are simple, affordable and delicious. And did we mention the cheese? Bon appétit.

Specialties: 

• Bouillabaisse (fish stew, usually containing at least three – but often far more – types of fish and shellfish. Usually served with bread).
• Cassoulet (rich haricot bean casserole, often slow-cooked with various meats including duck, goose and pork sausages).
• Quenelles de brochet (pounded pike formed into sausage shapes and usually served with a rich crayfish sauce).
• Soufflé au Grand Marnier (light and fluffy dessert flavored with orange liqueur).

Things to know: 

Other than fast-food joints, almost all restaurants offer two types of meal: à la carte (extensive choice for each course and more expensive) and le menu (a set meal at a fixed price with pre-determined dishes). The set menus often offer excellent value, with fresh, creative dishes costing a fraction of what they might in the UK.

Tipping: 

A 12 to 15% service charge is normally added to the bill in hotels, restaurants and bars, but it is customary to leave small change with the payment.

Regional drinks: 

From calvados to Cointreau, absinthe to Armagnac and champagne to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France gives a home to some of the most distinctive tipples on the market. Sampling local produce is a major part of the French gastronomic experience, and it’s just as true of drink as it is of food. The country’s wines are a phenomenon in their own right, and most of the leading regions offer ample opportunity for tourists to get up close to the winemaking process – including, of course, sampling the end product.

And be aware that in many cases you’re doing more than just having a nice drink – products like cider in Brittany and absinthe on the Swiss border, to mention just two, also play a profoundly important part in the heritage and culture of the region.

National drinks:
• Wine is the most popular alcoholic drink in France, with grape and vintage varying according to region.
• Pastis is a popular apéritif (brand name Ricard or Pernod).
• Beer is brewed in Nord Pas de Calais, Picardy and Alsace. The latter is said to brew the best beer in France, while cider is brewed in Upper and Lower Normandy.
• Coffee is almost always served after meals, and will come black, in small cups, unless a café au lait (or café crème) is requested.
• A wide variety of brandies (such as Armagnac and Cognac) and liqueurs (such as Chartreuse and Genepi) are available.

Drinking age: 

18. Minors are allowed to go into bars if accompanied by an adult but they will not be served alcohol.