Great ‘what to buy on a day trip to France’ Hunt

moanymoany

We were in Honfleur (pricey) for a hol recently and discovered a Nicolas shop. We found a plainly labeled range of wine for 2 to 2.90euros a bottle. We tested them and then bought. They were good - we bought lots! They also had Beaujo-Neuvo, their name, for 2.50e that is good. There is one at Cite Europe which is a place I avoid as I prefer Auchon.

I buy large jars of Maille Dijon mustard, shallot vinegar, ground coffee and a bread called fougere, it is made with bacon and cheese.

There is also most of the other stuff mentioned here, although as I buy a lot of value and own brand stuff I no longer bother with cleaning stuff and concentrate on food and drink.

A few years ago Eurotunnel had an offer of a return same day trip, leaving after 3pm for £17! We went six times that year. It has never been repeated.:p

wyse_2

strapping_young_lad wrote: »

lynx deoderants are a lot cheaper too

...except it's called 'Axe' over there. looks the same, though...

jandover

We always buy filter coffee - their packets are slightly bigger than ours (250g), and even Fair Trade coffee seems cheaper than here at about 2.80 euros a packet with lots of choice in the big supermarkets.

Also quality chocolate - Lidl in France sell bars of single estate 70% cocoa chocolate for 1.29 euros.

If you have time try to find one of the remainder shops like L'ile aux Affaires. When we lived in France, we regularly visited their shop in Carhaix (Brittany) and also Noz at Morlaix. Often have bargains in food (watch the best before dates, though), wines, homewares and occasionally clothing. There must be others around!

harryhound

Got my new A5 sized catalogue in the post today.

It has got an extra offer for weddings; as well as the usual "free ferry crossing/30GBP discount" and the "free glass hire" stuff. We have "Spend
600GBP and get an extra free bottle of Veuve Clicquot worth 31.99"

I am not sure how they know you are having a wedding, as against some other giant party. Personally I think our Australian cousins can produce something as good as champagne at half the price BUT if you serve that, your guests (and your DD ?) just think you are being mean.
(Someone else made the same point about being green & ethical
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=5027031&highlight=green+poor+Priuses#post5027031

Do I remember placing two orders for 300GBP, one in the name of "hound" and the other as "dog", one near the ferry terminal and the other for collection near the Chunnel ? Was that against the rules ? A free ferry trip is worth at least 30GBP in the summer and 30 GBP is worth 30GBP to spend on whatever you like, even another bottle of posh champagne, one made by the widow who stole the method from Albi ?

Have a good trip,

Harry

TheWheelMan

spottie wrote: »

Tyre's.........

Hi Spottie, where do you go inFrance for cheaper tyres, i found they were slightly dearer in Boulogne but perhaps I was looking in the wrong place?

Roman_Camel

I too would like some info on Tyres, As I qualify for free Ferry Travel I am interested to know where to go for tyres as they seem to have really increased in price over the last year or so.

Sus1e

When we go over to France we always take a corkscrew and some plastic cups with us. We then go into the supermarket and buy a couple of different bottles of wine for about 1 euro - go back to the car and try it. If it tastes Ok, we go back and buy loads more!

A quick and easy way to make sure you don't come home with wine that tastes terrible.

harryhound

spottie wrote: »

Tyre's.........

Michelin invented the radial tyre ?

This warehouse is the low cost outlet for Michelin in UK:
http://www.costco.co.uk/Depts&Servs_main/Depts_servs/Tyre/tyre_centre.htm

I'd be interested to know how the UK price racks up against prices available in France.

Personally I have a Mondeo 02 plate diesel estate and trundle about on Federal Tyres made in Taiwan (they are < 50 GBP each) and seem to be wearing OK.

Harry

andrewj100

Pretty much everything is cheaper! Carrefour do Tefal pots and pans at loads better prices than here. Bycycle parts, tools, you name it.... it's enought to make you want to move there. Decathlon is worth a look too if you want to load up on cheap gym equipment.

lazydaze

knorr minestrone soup is very good value. specially minestrone . i always buy ten + packets. it cost about 70 pence for a one litre packet but the contents are far superior to the knorr soups we buy in england. in fact, theres not much in france thats isnt better. packets of madeline cakes are so addictive too and cheap