Internet British Corner Shop is no more

[Blaze]

I'm curious to know what people buy (or bought) from the "English" shops as we've never seen one but then we've never looked for one.
As far as I know, Leclerc seems to be the only supermarket in this area with a small range of "UK" goods, but there's nothing that interests us. The small Comptoir Irlandais mainly sells clothes but happens sells delicious strong tea which we do buy.

We can buy superb meat, fish and vegetables, all locally produced and we eat very little processed food. On our recent trip to Jersey, all we came back with was Dulux paint, a few goodies from M&S (chocolate covered ginger biscuits and jelly babies) and Twinings Assam teabags, which we've never found here.

[Bayleaf]

We've managed to wean ourselves off most English foods now - managing to find a suitable (often better!) French equivalent, or concocting a home-made alternative. The list (which clients brings over if need be) now only consists of salad cream, branston pickle (but we think we've cracked home-made versions), baked beans and teabags 'cos they're much cheaper! When more suppliers were available, it was just nice to have some "home comfort" treats, but recipes have changed, and prices have gone up so the novelty has thankfully worn off.

[demi]

I've been here just over 2 years & the only two things I find essential are Marmite & woostershire sauce. Both of which I can buy here (at a price!) but I've been lucky & visiting friends have kept me topped up.

The other thing I miss, but can live without, is "Man Sized" tissues. Have not seen them anywhere in France.

[Polarengineer]

Salad cream and sandwich spread; bloody awful stuff. I can certainly live without them and probably longer too.

[ajm]

Salad cream and sandwich spread; bloody awful stuff. I can certainly live without them and probably longer too.

Couldn't agree more.

[Hotrodder]

Anyone found sesame oil here?

OH likes branston baked beans so we have it brought over along with teabags, ibuprofen tabs (that cost a fortune here), and various curry sauces.

I am aware that Heinz baked beans are available here in the ghetto but she claims they are way too sweet and mostly water in the can, and some sources have the brass b***s to ask €1.59 a can for them.

I don't recall anyone pointing out a regulation that we as expats are prohibited from enjoying a few familiar food items from " broken Britain".

[Blaze]

I don't recall anyone pointing out a regulation that we as expats are prohibited from enjoying a few familiar food items from " broken Britain".

Neither do I, I doubt one exists.
I was simply curious to know what people bought from "English" shops in France. Naturally there are things we enjoy from the UK but as Bayleaf said, there are often similar (sometimes better) products here, it's just a question of finding them.

@Hotrodder Yes, we've found sesame oil in the supermarkets. Expensive, but if it's what you want ....

[exile]

Our list of "British" goods looks to be a bit longer than anyone else to date. Though quite a number might well be classed as not really British.

Tea bags - so far visitors and our own rare trips to the UK have kept us well stocked
HP Sauce - available from our Auchan
Branston baked beans - we might use one tin per month. BCS was our go to. Amazon.fr stock them at a premium. Auchan sell the sweeter and less spiced Heinz version.
Mint Sauce - Auchan. We make our own in season but mainly have need in the winter months.
Salad cream - Auchan
Black bean sauce - BCS now Amazon
Hoi Sin Sauce - BCS now Amazon
Mincemeat - BCS now Amazon
Dill and Mustard Sauce - brought out by friends. Ikea do a version but I prefer Gordons, which seems to be mainly available from Waitrose but other than that very specialised delis.
Branston Pickle - BCS now Amazon
Oyster sauce - Auchan
Fish sauce - Auchan occasionally
Mango Chutney (Pataks) - Auchan occasionally
Nann Bread - Auchan occasionally or Lidl WIGIG
Horseradish - Auchan but it does not have the punch of British or German.
Before they shut BCS starting bringing in British sausages and we sampled the leek and onion, and the Cumberland. We would have purchased these again when we next ordered but now we will have to wait until we next return to the archipelago. ( My last visit 2017).

Now when it comes to German goods ...........................

[Bayleaf]

There is a lovely little shop in Excideuil (Dordogne) run by a guy called Bob. It's called La Vie en Vrac, and they do have a corner for British "must haves". Otherwise, you can measure out your own dried fruit, nuts, cereals, rice, spices, local fruit and veg, etc, etc, Naturally, the prices for the British stuff is high, but for the occasional treat of custard creams or proper ginger nuts, it's just a lovely shopping experience. Still trying to find a suitable French equivalent for good ol' rich tea biscuits, but so far - tried lots, but they just don't hit the mark! Yes, I have a problem with biscuits!

[Lori]

Greenweez has an excellent selection of sesame oil, among other hard to find things. I like the Emile Noel Toasted Sesame oil.