nebratu

Going to be visiting a friend in Paris over thanksgiving, and wondering, if there are any thanksgiving food items that might be difficult to find over there (that would be easy to take on a plane/check)?

midatl

You should be able to find nearly everything you need in the American specialty shops in Paris and/or the Grande Epicerie. (Though things will be more expensive )

My most reliable source for Thanksgiving supplies has been the "Thanksgiving" store in the Marais: 20 rue St Paul, 75004 (www.thanksgivingparis.com)

The "Real McCoy" also has a good selection: 49 av Bosquet, 75007

The Grande Epicerie is the deluxe supermarket that is attached to the Bon Marché: 38 rue de Sèvres, 75007 (www.lagrandeepicerie.fr)

Make sure to order a turkey from a local butcher ahead of time. If you ask, they can cook it for you, either using your recipe or their own. They can also provide stuffing.

The only thing I ever had trouble finding were ground cloves (for pumpkin pie) but that problem was easily solved by grinding whole cloves in a blender or mashing them with a hammer.

aamilesslave

Marshmellows and cranbery sauce in a can. And Velveeta and Rotel if you want queso.

iff

You can get marshmallows in Paris. Don't the ex-pat grocery stores usually have cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving?

If I recall correctly, you can't bring any milk or milk products into France so the Velveeta would be seized by Customs if they found it.

slawecki

is velveeta a milk product?

late november is the height of game season in france. have a thanksgiving goose or pheasant or grouse.

Meriem

Excellent question...

dodo

Depends on the definition of dry milk or anhydrous milkfat ?

iff

Well, I was thinking as I wrote my previous post that on moral grounds alone the French probably wouldn't want to let Velveeta past their borders...

If you use cream of tartar for anything, it's probably easier and cheaper to throw a small container in your luggage than to buy it there in the specialty ex-pat shops. Some people prefer American baking powder, too, versus the French levure chimique (double-acting versus single-acting). Baking soda (bicarbonate de sodium or bicarbonate de soude) is now available in many supermarkets and also at the pharmacy.

nebratu

Yea, i figure anything non perishable, like canned goods, i can stuff in my checked bag, save a few bucks.

iff

If you have the room, this is a good idea because the markups on these products are usually pretty hefty, and if you prefer a specific brand of something the stores there may not have it.

Alsacienne

My American friends in Alsace have found some problems in getting good Cranberries and also Pumpkin Pie filling if that helps. Marshmallows are often sold under that name, but the French name for Marshmallows is GUIMAUVE. Hope this helps .... and generally in France, turkeys are not reared to anything near the size Brits and Americans are used to for their traditional feast days ............

aamilesslave

I don't recall if I've had my bag checked when carrying Velveeta, but they didn't bat an eye at my Wolf Brand Chili or Pace Picante Sauce.

((and no, still not certain if Velveeta is a milk product))

bankops

I had to laugh at this one.

What to bring? Start with the turkey and work your way down

Well, I guess that Butterball may have issues making it past customs, but otherwise bring about anything you want (I have flown PHL-ORD with the butterball in the carryon before). Yes, many thing can be found in Paris, IF you have the time and IF you want to spend the money.

If you are planning on Thanksgiving with other Americans in Paris, ask them what they want. I have seen requests ranging from Grape Jelly, Doritos (now fairly widely available) to speciality local or regional foods.

SoCalGreenie

Is Velveeta perishable? I realize that anyone who eats Velveeta in France would be eminently perishable.

Here's a thought - try for a Thanksgiving that uses local produce - isn't that the concept of Thanksgiving? I am of the impression that good quality food items can be obtained in France. Goose, Duck, or Chicken (or ham) might be much more common than Turkey, but certainly, a very Thanksgiving-like feast could be made using locally available food products in France.

stut

You could also try online shopping (depending on where you're staying) for the more obscure items (that you don't need market/butcher quality for) - it'll be cheaper, and save you trekking all over Paris.

For example, http://www.houra.fr/ - sells things like cloves (clous de girofle) and lingonberry sauce (sauce aux airelles - much more common than cranberries in most of Europe), etc, etc. You can check what's available before you go. You're unlikely to see seasonal produce such as pumpkins (citrouille) on there just yet, though.