La Grande Épicerie de Paris: a gourmet grocery store on the Left Bank
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La Grande Épicerie de Paris is a renowned gourmet food store located in the heart of the city’s 7th arrondissement. It is part of the Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche, one of the oldest department stores in the world, which opened in 1838.
Opened in 1923, initially called “Comptoir de l’Alimentation” from 1933 onwards, it reopened its doors in 1979 after extensive renovations as “La Grande Épicerie de Paris.”
This upscale French gourmet grocery store has stood the test of time by constantly reinventing itself and offering its customers a unique experience.
The temple of Parisian gastronomy celebrated its 100th anniversary a few years ago in 2023. We’ll take a peek inside this pioneering and influential establishment.
The inception of La Grande Épicerie was motivated by a desire to create a destination that offered the best of global gastronomy alongside traditional French cuisine. The store quickly established a reputation for sourcing exceptional products—from artisanal cheeses, gourmet chocolates, and fresh produce, to exotic spices and international delicacies. It not only promotes local French goods but also imports fine foods from around the world, appealing to both locals and tourists.
La Grande Épicerie has expanded to provide prepared meals, unique kitchenware, and specialty ingredients, all while maintaining a commitment to quality and sustainability. The design and layout of the store enhance the shopping experience, often leading to comparisons with a high-end food hall or market.
Main Floor: Food Products, Fresh Meals, and Pastries
There were several boxes of madeleines, financiers, and more!
Sablés are buttery French biscuits that pair great with tea!
Fresh Produce
There was a whole section of fresh produce, fruits, and vegetables.
Packaged Foods
Plenty of fresh charcuterie meats are ready to be taken!
I thought these boxes of smoked cod liver looked wonderful.
Some of the famous Martin-Pouret “cornichons” or little French pickles!
Lots of sweets for sale like meringues, and chocolate-covered madeleines.
Cheese Shop
The cheese section was extensive!
Candies
There is a little bag of French caramels.
There were several brands of calissons, sweet candies that come from Provence: Leonard Parli, Le Roy René, Issons, etc.
Pastries
There were all sorts of traditional French pastries for sale like the Saint-Honoré, the fig pastry, the pistachio tart, raspberry tart, and of course French macarons!
Wine
Lastly, the wine section was extensive.
Second Floor: Household Goods, Tableware, Kitchen, & Cooking Products
Moving on up, you can find a vast selection of household goods for cooking, preparing meals, and serving them with elegance.
There were many different Le Creuset ovens in various sizes.
A big selection of Mauviel 1830 copper cookware was found here too.
Third Floor: Linens, Bedding, Furniture
Everything you could possibly need to decorate a home could be found on this floor: from furniture to bedding to rugs, lighting, and linens. It’s all here! Now I just need a Parisian apartment to call my own…
Lower Floor (-1): Winery
A unique feature of La Grande Épicerie is its focus on innovation and experiential shopping, often hosting tastings, workshops, and culinary events that engage customers and highlight the artistry of gastronomy.
To visit, La Grande Épicerie is located at 38 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris, France.
