Caviar Latian — Comptoir du Caviar Specializing in Russian and Iranian caviar, this shop has a large number of Sevrugas, Belugas, Osciètres, Impérials, (2 000F per kilo) as well as smoked salmon and numerous vodkas, which are the ideal accompaniment for such delicacies. Tue to Sat 10:30am to 2pm & 3:30-8pm, 9-11 rue Falguière, 15e, tel: 01 40 61 92 16, M° Falguière
La Maison de l’Escargot For more than a century, this store has been selling a vast selection of snails with butter (38F to 78F for a dozen) including petits gris and bourgognes, as well as various accompaniments: confitures naturelles and the best wines. Its pleasant welcome and bright decor — added to the delicious smell of snail-butter — will delight all snail lovers, and may even convert those who haven’t yet been convinced. Tue to Sat 9am to 7:30pm, Sun and public holidays 9am to 1pm, 79 rue Fondary, 15e, tel: 01 45 75 31 09, M° Emile Zola. (Tasting sessions: Tue to Sat from noon to 3pm — closed in summer)
La Maison de la Truffe This is the embassy of the Périgord region and of its most famous product, the truffle. Connoisseurs of this “black gold” love this delicacy, either eaten alone, scrubbed and dried, in sauces or as parings. This place also offers a vast choice of foie gras, galantines (a mixture of meat and stuffing, cooked in jelly — served in thin slices) and salaisons lyonnaises (foodstuffs from Lyon, preserved in salt). A reliable address for gourmets. Mon to Sat 9:30am to 9pm, 19 pl de la Madeleine, 8e, tel: 01 42 65 53 22, M° Madeleine
La Ferme des Arènes Three shops for people who truly love the best cheeses available in the city. Special holiday gift plates make a great contribution to a festive gathering. Cheese tasting sessions arranged. La Ferme des Arènes, 60 rue Monge, 6e. La Cave aux Fromages, 1 rue du Retrait, 20e. La Ferme Saint-Aubin, 76 rue St-Louis en I’Ile, 4e
La Crèmerie des Carmes This Limousin family has loved cheese for more than half a century and proudly defends all milk products, in particular goat cheese: banon fermier (16.50F a piece), chèvre de Savoie, chabichou du Poitou, pélardons... in short, paradise. Cheese made with cow’s milk isn’t neglected, either — so you’ll find saint-nectaire and farmhouse reblochons (120F/kg), both creamy and pungent at the same time, mantati (150F/kg), Corsican cheese with herbs, gaperon, époisses (42F a piece), fourme d’Ambert (69F/kg)... Daily 7am to 1pm, 3-7:30pm Sun, 47 ter bd St-Germain, 5e, M° Maubert-Mutualité, tel: 01 43 54 50 93
Quatrehomme Fromager A huge cheese shop, located on the edge of the 7th arrondissement. This shop, managed by Alain Quatrehomme, has built an amazing reputation for itself, among cheese-lovers. There’s a vast selection of farmhouse specialties: bleus Laqueuille from Causses, brie from Meaux, fourme from Montbrison, the best varieties from Fontainebleau, and also numerous types of cottage cheese. Mon-Sat 8:45am to 7:45pm, 62 rue de Sèvres, 7e, M° Duroc, tel: 01 47 34 33 45
Information provided in partnership with the Petit Futé guide to Paris
Paris’ best holiday food shops
