Where to start? So much has been learned over the past 4 years since we bought our home in a small village in France that there is no easy place to begin. However, what triggered this blog was an article published in CNN Travel about a couple who had the opposite experience than my wife and I have had, when they moved to France.
We’ve found great joy living here, especially in our small village. As I read this article, several thoughts crossed my mind, but the most glaring complaint that this couple had was about shopping for groceries. This inspired me to write a multi-part submission. If you’d like to read the original article for context, it can be found here: https://edition.cnn.com/travel/us-couple-dream-life-france-became-nightmare/index.html.
Living in France, especially outside a major city, requires adjustment. To be successful here, you need to learn the language, learn the culture, and adapt to change… It’s France for Pierre’s sake… Why move here if you’re not willing to invest the time it takes to learn and adapt to the differences… including how and where to shop for groceries.
Unlike the SF Bay Area, produce is very seasonal here. The best produce can be found at local farmers markets, not in the grocery store, especially in what would be considered a small corner market. If you are looking to prepare something from another culture (like Chinese, Indian, African) you are also better off searching for a specialty store. And yes, they exist!
I’m dedicating Grocery Shopping Part 1 to finding a specialty grocery store because it was also my most recent discovery after returning to France after a few weeks in Hawaii and California. I was also craving Chinese and not only is the nearest restaurant 20 minutes away and doesn’t deliver, I really enjoy cooking Chinese food and I had just brought over our Le Creuset wok in October after harvest and I really wanted to use it… but where to find my ingredients?
The city of Troyes has three Asian markets. Just 45 minutes away, it was worth the drive. My favorite Super Marche (Super Market) was also close by, so I figured I could wrap up my Thanksgiving day shopping run at the same time.
Once I walked into Phuoc Loc, I could have been anywhere in the world, from SF to Hong Kong. The shop keepers were speaking Chinese with each other and their Chinese customers. I seemed to be the only one in the store that was non Asian. And as I was checking out, the only one initiating French.
Selection of goods were awesome, including a range of fresh produce that you can’t find in farmers markets or grocery stores here. Totally well worth the trip and our dinner last night came out great.