Last bar I was in I paid 6E for a wine - but it was 1l of local appellation controlle - what a rip off - it was only 1E 6c a bottle in the nearby supermarket.
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Quote: Originally posted by TethersEnd on 11/5/2006
Last bar I was in I paid 6E for a wine - but it was 1l of local appellation controlle - what a rip off - it was only 1E 6c a bottle in the nearby supermarket.
... and where in the UK could you buy a bottle of wine with your meal for £4? Most places I go to, a bottle of wine is the best part of £10 at a minimum (usually more) and you can buy it at the supermarket for £3 or £4.
Quote: Originally posted by brendajorsler on 11/5/2006
Just come back from France in our small campervan. It's the third time we've been there. Twice in May and once in September. Only went this time to see if our first two holiday impressions were wrong: For: Cheap wine and beer in supermarkets. Against: Foul weather on three occassions. Exhorbitant prices in bars for wine and beers. Over rated and over priced food in restaurants. Rubbish veg in local supermarkets. Expensive meat in shops / supermarkets. Filthy public loos.
Shall not bother to go again. Ugh. Brenda
France what planet was that on then cos the France I live in all the above is so not true
France what planet was that on then cos the France I live in all the above is so not true
Fair play I have encountered public toilets that are not for the faint hearted - or even for humans. A beer in a bar is no less expensive that where I live [Cotswolds] but they almost pay you to take it away in teh Hypermarket. Bar -b -que bangers etc are not inexpensive when compared to a bag of Asda 'economy eyeballs, ar*eholes and fat in a tube' but I get the idea french bangers are no more expensive than similar quality bangers in UK. Wine is cheap, bread is OK, decent cheese is all prices - If you want UK rock bottom prices shop at LIDL - they can be found all over France.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by TethersEnd on 12/5/2006
Quote: Originally posted by buckle on 12/5/2006
France what planet was that on then cos the France I live in all the above is so not true
Fair play I have encountered public toilets that are not for the faint hearted - or even for humans. A beer in a bar is no less expensive that where I live [Cotswolds] but they almost pay you to take it away in teh Hypermarket. Bar -b -que bangers etc are not inexpensive when compared to a bag of Asda 'economy eyeballs, ar*eholes and fat in a tube' but I get the idea french bangers are no more expensive than similar quality bangers in UK. Wine is cheap, bread is OK, decent cheese is all prices - If you want UK rock bottom prices shop at LIDL - they can be found all over France.
My suggestion was for Brenda and others like Brenda who do not share our appreciation of French food - I say that without criticism - its a case of each to their own.
Oh for heavens sake. Take it as read - there are good places to eat in the UK and good places to eat in France. Equally there are good places to get fresh veg/meat/food generally in both countries. The thing to do is to follow the locals - buy where they buy, ideally buy what they buy too, it's a good guide. Get with the rythmn of whatever country your'e visiting.
Hi folks,
Nice to see a good discussion with everyone's point of view. Some in agreement and some vehemently opposed to my scenario of our trips to France.
It was really a terrible experience on the three occassions.
Probably the weather that we unfortunately encountered was the main stumbling block and mayhap the other complaints that I had would not have seemed half so bad in the sun !!
We did not find one bar from Calais to Biaritz that sold beer for the equilivant of £3 per pint. I am in what is considered the expensive South East of England and have never paid that much except for exlusive clubs in either Docklands or the West End of London.
The lunchtime menus seemed to be priced on average 12 Euro and was chips with undeterminable meat with lashings of sauce with very tiny potion of veg (carrots and green beans usually) whereas at home we can get a huge English meal of perhaps roast lamb with roast pots with 4 good portions of veg for around £5 in most workman cafes and many pub restaurants.
The evening meals (all with chips) were the same type of menu with probably less veg and more sauce to disguise the poor quality meats. A much higher price being the only difference. For a similar price here I can get a good Scotch sirloin steak that needs no sauce to flavour it with some good portions of veg or salad and other potato dishes unfried. The deserts are a matter of taste. Although I would prefer apple and blackcurrent crumble and creamy hot custard to a Creme broulet!!
The veg that I bought in the local supermarkets was of particular poor quality and appeared to have been on the shelves for day as it went 'limp' very quickly. There was no choice of fresh peas / spinach / spring green / courgettes / leeks / brocolli etc etc and the salad stuff was 'sad'.
I bought 'fresh chicken' in the supermarket and had it have been from an English butcher I would have taken it back. It was a typical 'old boiler' and not fit to roast as it was tough and stringy. I cooked it as I would at home with olive oil green/red pepper (brought from home and still fresh after 4 days) garlic and bits and bobs. I had to leave it uneaten.
My last point seemed to have accord as I do not expect to have a meal and then go to the loo with footprints where to stand and 'aim' into a filthy tray with the added insult of half a door.
I did see this once before in Turkey 20 odd years ago and did not expect this in a supposedly civilized country such as France.
Regards all and many thanks for a good thought provoking discussion !!!
Brenda
p.s.
Just my own personal observation and maybe not typical of the French areas that I have not visited.
Hi Brenda, You have said it as you have seen it, and good on yer, Francophiles are always trying to put the U.K. food industry down, evening scoffing at our beloved fish and chips for heaven sakes.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Food Costs in France
