Planning meals during a trip to the French Alps requires a different approach than your standard weekly grocery run. Whether you are stocking a self-catered chalet for a week of skiing or simply grabbing supplies for a high-altitude picnic, the retail landscape in Chamonix is unique.
Unlike sprawling French suburbs, Chamonix is a compact mountain town where space is at a premium. This means you won’t find massive hypermarkets with endless aisles of non-food goods dominating the valley floor.
Instead, the shopping scene is a mix of surprisingly well-stocked local supermarkets, specialized regional producers, and organic cooperatives. The focus here is heavily skewed toward quality ingredients, local Savoyard specialties, and convenience for outdoor enthusiasts.
Understanding which store to visit can save you significant money, as prices vary wildly between the center of town and the outskirts. It can also save you time, ensuring you don’t drive halfway across the valley for a specific ingredient that is actually available next to your accommodation.
From late-night snack runs after a long day on the slopes to sourcing the perfect Reblochon cheese for a tartiflette, this guide covers the essential grocery stops. Here is the definitive list of the best supermarkets and food shops in the Chamonix valley.
Super U et Drive
| Address | 117 Rue Joseph Vallot, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM |
| Phone | 04 50 53 12 50 |
The best supermarket in Chamonix! It has an excellent fish and seafood section, great meat selection, and very kind staff. We often preferred shopping here rather than at the SPAR chain.
The accommodation recommended this place to us as an economical option, so we went there. But there was already a horrible urine-like smell right from the entrance, and inside the store the smell was sooo disgusting. We went there to buy groceries, but completely lost our appetite and ended up skipping dinner.
You can find pretty much anything you need here. It’s also near many hotels and attractions so a great choice for visitors in Chamonix. However, it does get pretty crowded here as there aren’t many other stores around so I recommend coming long before closing. If you do find yourself here near closing time be prepared to wait in long lines and brush past crowds to get around the store.
The smell is so bad that it is surely a danger to the health and safety of customers, not to mention the poor staff.
Even aside from that, this place is constantly so busy (no matter what time of day), that a 5 minute shop easily becomes 20 minutes. Some items are slightly cheaper than other stores so only shop here if you absolutely must due to your budget. Otherwise, avoid!
Best supermarket in Chamonix. A lot of reviews about rude staff but we experienced nothing of the sort. Even with my lack of French they were very helpful and the prices very fair
Carrefour Market
| Address | 339 Rte Blanche, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM Thursday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM Friday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM Sunday: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM |
| Phone | 04 50 55 96 75 |
Carrefour Market was an average shopping experience at best, and unfortunately there were a few things that let it down.
The selection of food and other products was not as good as I expected. For a market of this size, I thought there would be a wider range, but the choice felt fairly limited. It was enough to pick up a few basics, but not somewhere I would go out of my way to shop if I had other options nearby.
The staff were also quite mixed. Some were helpful and polite, and I appreciated that. However, others were frankly rude and not helpful at all. What stood out most was the way assumptions were made before even taking the time to ask a simple question. A much better approach would be to speak to customers respectfully, clarify the situation, and then respond, rather than raising voices or jumping to conclusions. Good customer service does not need to be complicated, but it does require basic courtesy.
As for pricing, it was okay, but not especially competitive. A few items seemed reasonably priced, but overall there were very few discounts or specials, so it did not feel like particularly good value.
Overall, Carrefour Market was serviceable, but not somewhere I would rate highly. With a better product range, more consistent customer service, and sharper pricing, it could be a much better place to shop.
Also closed Sunday which is not helpful for a supermarket.
In the summer, the main customers here are tourists and hikers, so the process of buying vegetables at Carrefour might be unfamiliar to them. I, too, found it unfamiliar; when I brought some vegetables to the checkout, an older female employee bluntly told me that I was supposed to weigh them myself. I decided to cancel the purchase and put the items back, but she ignored what I said and didn't process the transaction. Throughout the entire interaction, her attitude was far from customer-oriented. This made me angry, and I even asked her why she didn't prioritize the customer—treating them like royalty.
Best market in the area for price and selection. Both Swiss and French products. They could improve the wine selection.
Excellent grocery store with wide variety. Great prices.
If you like a good price in chamonix this is one of two supermarkets to go to. The other supermarket is super U. Both markets have similar pricing but much better than Spar, Sherpa and other smaller stores in town. We always go here at least once during our visit to chamonix. It is a long way from city centre if you don’t have a car but you get a better price. Had no problem with staff or finding what I need in this shop. Very happy to recommend!
Super U et Drive
| Address | Av. des Alpages, 74310 Les Houches |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM Thursday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM Friday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM Sunday: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM |
| Phone | 04 50 55 51 70 |
A great supermarket that has everything you will need. As with any French supermarket, everything is fresh, yummy and healthy. I was able to get all my food supplies needed for long hikes and the selection was great. Staff is polite and multi-lingual. Parking is a bit tight and there aren't a lot of spaces so just a heads up. This store does the job!
This is one of the bigger grocery stores in the area and it has most everything you need. The meat and cheese section is packed full of good options. The prices, especially for salami and hams, is shockingly cheap. You'll find ready made meals, instant ramen, a full deli, and a big veggie section. No self checkout is available.
Stopped on the side of the road for some
AC on these insanely hot days. Quite the selection of food. Clean and well stocked. Purchased snacks and food for our trek.
Great selection and very friendly stuff! The price is also reasonable too. We have better experience here than Carrefour in Les Houches.
Nice place to pick up some food. Good selection of meats, cheeses, fresh fruits and veggies, as well as boxed foods.
Marché U et Drive
| Address | Rue Charlet Straton, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM Thursday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM Friday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM Sunday: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM |
| Phone | 04 50 54 05 97 |
Great little market has everything needed to make your own meals. Good selection. Good wine/spirits/beer selections too. Bring your grocery bags. You can recycle ♻️ spent batteries 🪫 here also.
Small but has everything you need, including a good selection of meat! Service was top, everyone was polite and helpful. Well done Marché U Argentiere.
This a fantastic little supermarket+. They have everything you'd need and more, the quality is very high, including the own-grand stuff (juice and chocolate specifically), and the staff are very pleasant and helpful ... especially if you at least try to speak French. Special bonus for non-French fashionistas: the punk-chic textile shopping bags in cool colors.
Institution in Argentier
You don’t have any other choice but it’s good. Check opening times with store not Google!
Very good supermarket for such a small village. Prices much lower than in the Spar in Chamonix. Even biological vegetables
Sherpa Supermarket
| Address | 190 Av. Michel Croz, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | 04 50 53 49 44 |
Not a very big market but for small place like chamonix it is very useful. Almost all items available at very reasonable price.
Visited on Sunday evening but it was open and almost all essentials were available.
Well assortment, good shop. Open every day, even during Easter
Has just about everything, reasonable prices and great location
Whenever I come to Chamonix, I shop here for small snacks and sometimes lunch to go (pre-made sandwiches etc)
Always friendly service for me. Prices seem reasonable, considering the location in the valley.
Would recommend, especially if you are staying at a close by hotel or other accommodation.
Arrived at 645pm for a shop that advertises it closes at 7pm. Wasn't let it. However if you're a local it would seem this doesn't apply. As a man the manager clearly knew was let in. I would have been in and out in two minutes. The excuse given on previous posts that like every other supermarket they stop letting customers 15mins before closing, we'll not in my experience and I've worked in retail. Pure ignorant. AVOID. I'm only sorry I had given the supermarket business previously.
Carrefour Contact
| Address | De La Mairie 32place, 74310 Les Houches |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM |
| Phone | 04 50 54 40 26 |
Great local Carrefour, well located and much better than it looks from the outside. Despite being small, it has an amazing selection with everything you need, including lots of options for beer and wine and excellent local products like cheeses, sauces, honey, and pastries. The only downside is with some local products — they’re fantastic, but twice I was overcharged (once for local honey and once for panettone), as the staff didn’t seem fully aware of the displayed prices. Still worth a visit, just make sure to double-check your receipt when buying items without barcodes
Perfect selection of what I need as a tourist, and a big, well selected beer section. A bit pricey though.
A modest sized Carrefour, so limited range of products but you can get all the basics here.
Good place to sticks up on snacks for your TMB hike. Also has an awesome salad bar, reasonably priced with a lot of healthy and high protein options!
We went at the times the bussines page said were open 08-20. We got there and told us they were close at 13:00. we we arrived at 13:03. They did not let us buy anything even when it was their fault of not displaying the correct open and closing hours... Top it of they did not care changing their google page to show adequate times. To Carrefour's store team, if you go to your shop on a car or do TMB you see what's open on Google, not your storefront times... Its plain obvious
U express
| Address | Rte des Pèlerins, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM Thursday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM Friday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM Sunday: 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Phone | 04 50 53 01 58 |
Very nice little supermarket that has everything you may need, clean and organized. It is located in a plaza next to a pharmacy, some other stores, and a bakery where I'd recommend getting some fresh pastries. Has parking space, which is a big plus.
I cooked awesome duck! Very fresh meat! Staff very helpful , choices of meat,cheese, food , wine were absolutely fantastic!
During peak seasons this is the best place to shop. Never busy, adjacent parking, good enough selection for visitors and essentials. Not a great selection of meat and fish etc but there is a butcher in the same complex.
I've been to a few smaller supermarkets in town and this was definitely a better choice in-terms of price. As expected, it was better value for money shopping here. Had everything I needed for Brekkie and Dinner items. Not an overly large supermarket however would recommend as an all-rounder.
Product's good price
SPAR ALPINA CHAMONIX
| Address | 17 Av. du Mont Blanc, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 7:30 AM – 7:30 PM Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 7:30 PM Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 7:30 PM Thursday: 7:30 AM – 7:30 PM Friday: 7:30 AM – 7:30 PM Saturday: 7:30 AM – 7:30 PM Sunday: 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM |
| Phone | 04 50 53 11 85 |
Best selection of any Spar we went to in Chamonix, but we thought the closing time was 20:00 and they made us leave the store at 19:45.
Good selection of products but overpriced! I compared some of the items like tea, butter and chocolates and it was substantially cheaper in Super U for the same thing. For example the President butter in Spar 4,80 but 2,95 in Super U.
Display the prices please, correctly. This isn't the first time I get to buy something and the confusion on the prices is, fairly, awful. You lost a customer. Au revoir 👋👋👋
I strongly recommend avoiding this Spar. We got a food poisoning on our christmas holiday and the day we got sick we had only eaten products that were bought from here. We already once before bought shrimps from there which were spoiled and had to throw them away. In addition it is much more expensive than the other supermarkets in town and price labels are completely wrong so you end up paying much more than you think, opening hours don't match google info at all. You are better of shopping in Super U for example, we went here first cause Super U was so crowded, now I know why.
Prices aren't in the correct places, some items do not even have the prices on the shelves, so you have to check the barcodes as to not get scammed/overpay like we did. I think this is on purpose as it is very touristy and we are their main source of income.
Le Refuge Payot
| Address | 166 Rue Joseph Vallot, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 8:15 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 8:15 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 8:15 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 8:15 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 8:15 AM – 8:00 PM Saturday: 8:15 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Phone | 04 50 53 18 71 |
Great place to try and buy excellent cheeses, salamis and cured meats. Great selection, helpful friendly staff. They have two locations in Chamonix. Wish we had such a place in Miami!
The Girl working in the cashier in the store was really nice. We were picking the small bottle alcohol (Xmas trees, high heels 👠, etc.) by the cashier because the bottles looked cute. The girl noticed and started to give us recommendations for her favorites and let us try the local génépi that she recommended. It tasted really good, sweet, génépi, but not too strong. It was great! I ended up purchasing a big bottle (70 CL) for myself and a few small bottles (20 CL) for friends :))
FOODIES! Calling all Foodies. You do not want to miss one of the most amazing food markets I have ever been in and I have been in many. If you need food for a hike; bread, cheese and meats all local. Great selection of wine and local liquor. We stopped here as we were headed to the airport and picked up local jam, Genepi liquor( digestif), nougat and some chocolate. The staff speaks English and was very helpful. The place also smells great!
Interesting collection of meat and cheese. Probably one of the few places in Chamonix to buy local food. Crowded with people but bearable.
Highly recommend this delicatessen shop that has an abundant range and variety of cheese, cold cuts, cured meats, pate and terrines, jam spreads, charcuterie, basic pantry stocks. Beautifully packed and warm, inviting ambience with friendly and helpful staff to help with selection from the amazing produce. Set in central town of Chamonix. Worth visiting this shop which has special recommendations in the Michelin guide.
L Epicerie
| Address | 1545 Rte des Praz, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM, 3:00 – 7:00 PM Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM, 3:00 – 7:00 PM Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM, 3:00 – 7:00 PM Thursday: 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM, 3:00 – 7:00 PM Friday: 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM, 3:00 – 7:00 PM Saturday: 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM, 3:00 – 7:00 PM Sunday: 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM, 3:00 – 7:00 PM |
| Phone | 04 50 89 44 04 |
This place was next to our airbnb, otherwise I would’ve completely missed it. Tried pain au chocs at a fair few bakeries in the valley during our holiday, but the ones here, especially if you get it early in the morning, are hands down the best. I will miss the buttery chocolatey goodness I got to experience every morning.
They are open in the morning (I got here at 8am) and have good coffee and des pains. Note that there is a 5 euro minimum to pay with card so bring cash for your coffee. There is a place to put your skis outside while you are shopping. Location is nice, good view, and there are some tables and chairs to drink the coffee ☕️
A fantastic selection of fresh fruit, vegetables, breads and pastries.
The staff were friendly and the pastries super fresh.
This place had a low rating on google and was pleasantly surprised with my experience
Had my best pain au chocolate ever here! Still warm, very buttery and just melting inside your mouth.
Great selection of wine, cheeses, and other grocery essentials, in addition to some amazing warm pastries in the morning!
Le Petit Casino
| Address | 50 Rue du Dr Paccard, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM Thursday: 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM Friday: 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM Saturday: 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM |
| Phone | 04 50 53 00 67 |
I LOVE being able to buy orange juice you "squeeze" yourself! So delicious and refreshing! One of the highlights of my trip to France!
They clearly dislike all tourists with the fury of a thousand suns, and go out of their way to make you feel hated and just want you out of their sight. Literally going the extra mile just to be simmering with hostility.
Loads of other options nearby so just go there. The laughter free cashier tonight….tall miserable 20 something dude…wow, what a ball of joy you must be at parties
I had a concerning experience at this store. During my visit, I encountered an employee with grey hair who exhibited behavior that was completely unacceptable. There were instances of bad manners, and even shouting at children. To make matters worse, my group was unexpectedly asked to leave the store.
This type of behavior is not something I expected, and I felt compelled to share this experience. It's essential for businesses to maintain a welcoming and respectful atmosphere for all customers.
Advice to everyone; just make your grocery visit to the nearby Super U / Carrefour supermarkets. There is no need to ruin your vacation mood just because the male cashier has an attitude.
If you are bringing shopping from other places before shopping here be sure to keep your receipts! The checkout lady rudely asked to check my bag after watching me walk around the store and asked for receipts of purchases for the other items! I only went in there for fresh orange juice! Other shop assistants seemed nice enough but the till operators could liven up a bit and not be so rude
Picard
| Address | 87 Rue Whymper, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:30 – 7:30 PM Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:30 – 7:30 PM Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:30 – 7:30 PM Thursday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:30 – 7:30 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM |
| Phone | 04 50 78 19 30 |
tourt l'equipe est tres amiable !!there is a new staff member in your Chamonix shop, and he is lovely. I have a problem with my shoulder and I'm not able to carry things with my left arm, and he was 10 out of 10 for service, helpfulness with a smile.
Convenient store.
Good well stocked little frozen food shop
It is not open on Sunday!!
Excellent, welcoming staff, clean store and great selection.
Smart Shopping Tips for Chamonix
Navigating the grocery options in a ski resort can be tricky if you are unprepared. Whether you are on a tight budget or looking for luxury ingredients, these insights will help you shop like a local rather than a tourist, ensuring you get the best value and quality during your stay.
Understand the Price Geography
Location dictates price in Chamonix. The small "city" markets in the pedestrian center are perfect for grabbing a forgotten baguette or a bottle of wine, but you will pay a premium for the convenience. If you are doing a large weekly shop for a family or group, it is well worth taking the free bus or driving a few minutes to the larger retail zones on the outskirts of town where prices are noticeably lower and selection is much wider.
Don’t Skip the Local Chains
While it is tempting to stick with familiar international brands or the most famous French names, don’t overlook the regional chains. Stores specific to the Alps often have better deals on local products. They tend to stock a higher ratio of Savoyard cheeses, diots sausages, and local craft beers compared to generic national chains, giving you a more authentic taste of the region for less money.
Check Holiday Hours Diligently
French opening hours can be a culture shock, and Chamonix is no exception. While some stores open on Sunday mornings for the tourist rush, almost everything shuts down by early afternoon. If you are arriving late on a Saturday or Sunday, plan ahead. Check if your accommodation offers a pre-stocking service, or be prepared to rely on smaller convenience stores that stay open later but charge higher prices.
Bring Your Own Bags and a Euro Coin
While plastic bags are largely phased out in France, you will often need to purchase a reusable bag if you forget your own. Additionally, if you want to use a shopping trolley at the larger supermarkets, you usually need a €1 or €2 coin to release the lock. Keeping a coin and a foldable tote in your jacket pocket will save you a lot of fumbling at the checkout.
Look for "Drive" or Click-and-Collect Services
If you are on a tight schedule and want to maximize your time on the mountain, utilize click-and-collect. Many of the larger supermarkets in the valley offer free "Drive" services where you order groceries online and simply pull into a designated bay to have them loaded into your car. This saves you an hour of walking the aisles and helps you avoid impulse purchases.
The key to stress-free dining in the mountains is a little bit of planning. By matching your shopping list to the right store, you can easily balance the convenience of central locations with the value of the larger out-of-town retailers.
Whether you are assembling a gourmet cheese board to enjoy with a view of Mont Blanc or simply need fuel for tomorrow’s hike, Chamonix’s grocery scene has you covered with authentic Alpine flavors and modern conveniences.
