What Food Can I Bring into Paris?
Last updated: Jun 6, 2018
Well, we admit it: We’re not 100% sure why anyone would want to bring food into the culinary capital of the world, but if they do, we want to help them! Even if you’re on a budget there are dozens of places in the city to get super cheap food that is absolutely out of this world! From small grocery stores to French chains to yes, even Parisian drug stores, if there’s one thing that’s easy to find in Paris, it’s a great meal!
Can I Bring Food into Paris via Charles de Gaulle Airport?
If you absolutely must, you can actually bring food into Paris if you’re coming through CDG as our members explain here:
“Paris is a huge cosmopolitan place. You can get anything. Why add all that weight to your baggage?”
“Don't worry. France is not like the USA or Australia, where regulations on importing foodstuffs tend to be very strict. Provided that you do not have too much - unlikely, if you are flying - and if it is in sealed containers/packets, you are unlikely to have a problem. However, do not bring any meat products, fresh fruit or vegetables. But as the previous poster said, all the things you are likely to need can be found in Paris.”
“In the 13th district you have large Asian supermarkets like Tang Fréres.”
“I have to agree with the first two posters. Paris has quite a few supermarkets so you can find Asian foodstuff! And I heard there are hypermarchés just outside Paris too. There is an excellent Chinatown shop I read about and it's called Tang Fréres which carries many Asian groceries too if you need them.”
“I just moved to Paris 12 days ago. I went to the Marché this afternoon and could find everything on your list. (If you like peanut butter, you might want to bring some.) Other than that, you'll be fine. Monoprix is a large grocery chain. You'll be fine. Good luck.”
“And there's a supermarket chain that I can't recall the name of. Their logo colors are green and orange. There's a branch right off rue du Buci for example. And I've seen another location in the 5th district I think.”
“There's food galore in this city.”
“If you happen to have access to a kitchen, I would have a look at a grocery store called Prisunic. They have fantastic frozen food and a lot of French specialty dishes like escargot and crêpes. And best of all, they’re very affordable as Paris prices go!”
And in case you happen to be looking for Asian grocery stores in Paris, fear not! There are dozens of them! Here are some ideas for places to look for Asian supermarkets in Paris:
“Paris has quite a large Asian, and more specifically Vietnamese and Chinese community. You can therefore find tons of Asian products in specialty stores, in the XIIIth district. Tang Fréres (Tang Brothers) is the most famous Asian supermarket, but you can find others, as well as little grocery shops, music, videos, garment, culinary utensils, etc., etc., in the 13th district. Belleville, in the North, has also a large Asian community.”
