Address | 38 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris, France

As we were departing JFK to CDG we checked in on Facebook, as one does, and happily received a steady flow of enthusiastic recommendations from friends of their favorite places to go in Paris.  When La Grande Epicerie de Paris was highly recommended by two excellent chef buddies, I was determined we would go. After hours touring the Arc de Triomphe and the Fondation Louis Vuitton we were ready for refreshments so it was an easy sell to my wife.  It was also an opportunity to shop for gifts for my four kids and my family who had been looking after my daughter while we were away.

La Grande Epicerie is essentially a large department store-like wonderland for chefs and foodies.  It's four stories of wine and spirits, fresh produce, chocolates, bakeries, butchery, fresh fish, brightly packaged gourmet gifts, and kitchen supplies.  It's an amusement park for the senses.  Deep orange clementines with green leaves still attached to their tops, cheeses, hard and soft, of every imaginable kind, the salty smell of fresh oysters sitting on ice.  

There are several spots where you can sit and enjoy a glass of wine and charcuterie or other tapas.  We were enticed by the fresh oysters. We took our seats at a tall table, took in the backdrop of twinkle lights while locals and tourists shopped,  and placed an order of vin rosé et huîtres. 

The oysters were from the Atlantic ocean, even though I prefer Pacific, it's always best when experiencing a new place to eat as local as possible. We had Fine de Claire (typically found in arennes-Orléron, Bretagne and La Vendée regions). They were fresh and delicious.

After oysters we spent another hour or so shopping for gifts and some treats for ourselves for the road trip we took the next day.  In the video you can see more of the abundant selection of food and gifts that La Grande Epicerie offers.  This experience was at the top of my list. The store is well curated and designed.  Perfect for shopping and gifts and something nice to eat. After check out the weight of what we were carrying was steadily increasing.  Undeterred, we still had two more stops to make before closing, Poilâne and Berthillon Glacier.  More on that next time!   

What are your favorite grand food markets? In NYC we love Chelsea Market, Eataly, and recently opened Essex Market.  Great places to spend a rainy or snowy afternoon. Let me know in the comments below!