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Both Sainsburys and Tesco in Calais have closed. The exchange rate has eroded the value of buying beer and wine in France, coupled with the fact that UK supermarkets have become much more competitive. WE have not been to France since last Autumn so it will be interesting to see what value the French supermarkets offer.

David

We always found good deals in Cite Europe but now, when you look at what you can get at home plus the poor FX rate plus the cost of the fuel lugging it all back it actually works out cheaper to buy by the case in Tesco / Asda / online.

The only thing we have done in the past is to drive up to tobacco row in Belgium as that used to make a difference and I always added a bit onto what I paid to cover FX rates, fuel and my time for the mileage.

Thought the title referred to The Eastenders,  the one on the tele. Many years ago I ended up on the set when they were doing an OB at Blangy le Chateau. We were at le Brevedent as usual, and I'd gone for the bread. Wandering up the main street looking scruffy with a pain under my arm, I was taken for the "local yokel". My few seconds of fame.

Re cheap wine, you can get it anywhere these days, but "wine at a good price", like Stu says, is harder to find.

FM

Quote: Originally posted by Floydfan on 16/8/2010

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Beer & wine still are good value compared to the UK. A very good bottle of local red here will be around €5. We're forever being told that a comparable bottle in the UK would be double that if not more.

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Stuart

I think there are two issues when comparing to the UK now. Firstly supermarkets here often have 25% off promotions on the good stuff and secondly a lot of Brits seem to like new world wines which are not stocked in any quantity in French supermarkets and why should they when there is such a variety of  lovely French wines. Obviously if you are already in France it makes sense to buy wine while you are there. However the demise of some of the retailers near Calais is due the the big drop in day trips as its just not worth it unless you live in Kent!

David

I have not been to France for nearly 2 years now due to the poor exchange rate, as I do not see the point in doing booze and tobacco runs when good deals are to be had back home.

I never liked Eastenders and preferred Pidou myself because of the better beer selection, especially the ones from Belgium.

However, I need my mini pizza savoury snack fix, and other food goodies, so I am planning to go camping for a week in Jun 2011.

DK

Quote: Originally posted by Frogman14 on 16/8/2010

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Thought the title referred to The Eastenders,  the one on the tele. Many years ago I ended up on the set when they were doing an OB My few seconds of fame.

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