When the town you're using as a base to explore the Loire valley has only small Carrefour's. You…read morestart to worry about where you might find the essentials to ward off the morning hangover or where to get some cheese to go with that cheeky few bottles you want to drink in the evening sun. Worry not fellow Yelpers! This stature which is just on the city limits has everything you will find at a carrefour, but with less a dent in your wallet. I wouldn't rave about their home brand products, but they are a megastore that carries everything that you'd expect from a hypermarche. Even god forbid more wine! Only issue is that parking is a premium. Though it's a small town, everyone shops here. So people will be hovering to take your space. No doubt on Saturday you may be hovering and willing someone to get a move on and pull out for god sake.

LeClerc is a large, top quality, fresh and clean supermarket with a vast array of fresh foods,…read morealcohol and groceries - with a delicious and busy cafeteria / bar on site. Highly recommended for a 'big shop' if staying in the area, LeClerc's cafeteria also serves a wide range of lunch options from 12 noon until 2pm (and drinks / cakes all afternoon). They are well known for their stone baked pizzas, baked fresh in their bread ovens when you order (to take away or eat in). Salads are fresh and delicious, affordable too (1.95 euros for a large bowl) and drinks are available by the bottle or draft, for that cheaper option. The on-site bar is open all day for a cheeky beer after your shop! Like most supermarkets in France, LeClerc provides trolleys which require a 1 Euro coin, so make sure you have some change on you before you shop. Also, carrier bags are not readily available, although LeClerc sell large and strong ones for 1 euro 50, which will last for years and years. There are often free packaging boxes for you to pop your shopping into, however. LeClerc is a large supermarket, selling fresh lobster, fish and snails amongst many other items. The alcohol selection is vast, covering two aisles and the delicatesen is second to none. Highly recommended!

We stayed at Chaumont-sur-Loire and asked our kind hosts for the closest market. They told us it…read morewas about a mile away. Sort of helpful. Fortunately, the Casino market has some advertising along the way, although exact directions would have been nice. The market has your standard fare although you have to know a few things as a non-French person. Eggs are kept on a shelf, so very hard to find. Weigh the produce before going to the register. Keep a euro coin in your pocket so you can unlock a shopping cart (not unique to France). Buy lots of cheese, super reasonable. :-) Anyway, hope this was helpful. This is definitely where you should pick up your basics and necessities.

This place is amazing! It made Jenny very happy with all of its baguette, cheese, pate, macaron,…read morefromage, foie, and ice cream!