What You Will Find on Rue Cler - Right Side
The right side of Rue Cler is the East side of the street from Rue de Grenelle.
FranPrix
There are two "supermarkets" on the street; FranPrix and Leader Price. A small supermarket, but good for the basics, from toothpaste to cereal. They have just remodeled and it now offers some higher end specialty foods - great for finding quick gifts to bring home, such as herbs, bars of soap from the south of France and chocolate.
Bistrot Le Petit Cler
Another one of Christiane Boudon’s restaurants, also known for Fontaine de Mars on Rue Saint-Dominique. It’s a very cute bistro with a charming terrace and booths inside. Also sells delicious Berthillon ice cream.
Le Repaire de Bacchus
A note from Maddy: "This wine shop is a good one and they do a good job recommending wine for a particular meal. Our favorite wine shop is at 145 rue St. Dominique where Julien does an excellent job. He knows his wines and offers good value for money. When we walk by, he signals Philippe if he has a good deal on red wine or Champagne. He is a character who roller blades to work and always wears sunglasses on his head; kind of a heartthrob in the quartier. When I first introduced my French husband to California wines in Napa Valley, he couldn't understand the American obsession with brand and price. Now I understand his point: in France, wine doesn’t have to be expensive or famous in order to be good."
Fromagerie
Maddy's recommendation: "We have been going to this cheese store for decades and love it. The lines outside on Sunday mornings can stretch down the block, so go early! The less expensive cheeses and basics such as eggs and better are usually sold at the counter outside. This is a real dairy store where you can find a delicious selection of butters from Normandy , yogurts and fresh eggs.
The French are particular about food and eating cheese when it is perfectly ripe is one of their rules. They get to know their local cheese merchant, who will tell them which cheeses are in season or particularly good. For example, Beaufort is a delicious, grainy hard cow’s cheese. It has two seasons, but the best season is winter Beaufort, which is made from summer cow’s milk (when the grass in Normandy is greenest).
When you select a soft cheese, such as Camembert, Brie, Epoisse, St. Marcelin (the same as St. Felicien) or Neuchatel -- tell the salesperson when you plan to eat it. “Ce soir” or “Demain”, etc. Your specialist will squeeze the packages until they find the cheese that will be perfect at the moment you want to savor it. It's really a treat! If you haven't had St. Felicien or Marcelin (same cheese), try it and make sure it's "fait" (ready to eat). It's so creamy you almost need a spoon and you will be back the next day for more.
These experiences are part of the joy of renting a Paris apartment, where you can live life like a Parisian."
Famille Mary - Miel et Nature
An excellent natural store, specializing in honeys. Also sells specialty breads made with honey and wonderful regional specialties.
Charcuterie Jeusselin
Increasingly popular, this Charcuterie sells all French specialties and is located across the street from Davoli. Their growing popularity and prepared casseroles and dishes make them a popular stop for locals. Specialties are displayed in the glass cases in front of the shop and they have won several awards for their sausages, which we recommend.
Martine Lambert - Artisan Glacier
Divine little icecream parlour with unique, seasonal flavors! You can get a scoop on a cone or take home a carton for later. They also do amazing ice cream cakes and macarons!
Nicolas
This is a very common chain store of wine and spirits. You’ll see them everywhere in Paris.
Contretemps Votre Librarie
Parisian book store, holds signings by authors.
Leader Price
This is the other supermarket on Rue Cler and sells more bulk foods. Again, fine for all of your staples. Not a beautiful store, but it’s good for basics.
Ronde des Pains - Boulangerie & Pâtisserie
This bakery is on the corner of Rue Cler and Rue du Champs de Mars; note the beautiful windows and original features. Good bread, including the flute and grain breads. Long lines just before lunch, since it’s the only bakery on the street!
Onawa - Japanese Restaurant
Offers typical Japanese fare such as sushi, miso soup, and yakitori, or meat on skewers. The sushi rolls in France are much simpler than in the US - they don’t use as many fillings, garnishes or sauces.
A La Mere de Famille - Chocolate and Sweet Shop
A gorgeous little shop selling chocolate in all shapes, sizes and flavors. They claim to be the first chocolatier in Paris, established in 1761! Inside, it smells delicious and they often give out free samples.
La Fabrique - Cookies Paris
Very small quaint little cookie store, selling soft and gooey cookies! Some of the recipes have been made based on specialities from French Regions, with an example being: Calisson d'aix-en-Provence - Almond paste flavoured with Orange and Melon. They also make an incredible salted caramel cookie: so soft it melts in your mouth!
Au Nom de la Rose
Small Flower shop that sells beautiful arrangements of roses for any and every occasion.
Leonidas Chocolatier
Belgian chocolates which are excellent and reasonably priced, much better than Godiva. There are some wonderful chocolate stores in the quartier, but this is a staple.
Droguerie - Cler Affaires
The Droguerie is not a drug store; it sells household goods like cleaning products, utensils, pots and other knick knacks. They have a good selection of panniers or carts on wheels which everyone uses for their food shopping. There are new ones with special wheels to push it in front of you, like a pram and even one with two extra wheels, which allow you to roll up flights of stairs! This is a brilliant idea, since many apartments still have no elevators and lugging the shopping up the stairs every day is exhausting.
Les Grandes Caves
Another retailer of wine and spirits.
Kaviari Delikatessen
BoutiqueDelicatessen.
