Find some French bargains for the Christmas dinner table

Nov 15 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

THE girl walking the aisle of the giant hypermarket in the sweeping, ankle length coat could easily be mistaken for a foreign spy …

But in reality, Sharron Livingston is a sleuth of the slurping kind who has taken over from White Van Man as one of Britain’s best answers to finding top continental booze, food and gifts at truly knockdown prices.

This bright, street-savvy Londoner spends months prowling the French ports in search of bargains that are even guaranteed to put a smile on the gloomy face of Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

She tells me candidly: “Finding that elusive bargain is not only a joy but a necessity.

“With Christmas looming, popping across the Channel for a boozy bargain or a Gallic infused delicacy, is just the uplift we need.”

And even though the £1-Euro exchange rate is not as attractive as last year, the differentials in duty levied in France are still high enough to offer Brits discounted shopping.

Here, prices in general have been tagged lower than last year in order to boost sales which is good news for Sharron, who edits two bargain-hunting traveller-savvy websites.

For instance, the legendary Carrefour hypermarket at Cite Europe Shopping centre has prices 20-30% less than some leading UK supermarkets.

And, accompanied by my eagle-eyed sleuth, a quick browse along the aisles uncovers a 70cl bottle of 12-year Glenlivet for just £19.38 which retails in the UK for £25.78.

A bottle of Piper Heidsiec Champagne cost £20 – a £4 saving on a UK price – and, as a tempting sweetener, Carrefour are offering a 30 Euro bribe if you spend 200 Euros.

In Cite Europe, we discovered more than a hundred shops, from clothes, gifts, shoes and drink stores, are aching for your Euros.

Tesco regulars, for example, can find their favourite wines here for up to half price. Montana Sauvignon costs £3.74 a bottle, Casillero de Cabernet £3.49 – and shoppers still earn Tesco Club Card points.

Plus, of course, there are no limits, within reason, as to what you can bring back, so you can throw your New Year’s Eve party knowing you have stocked up with enough wine, beer and bubbly to take you and your posse happily into 2009.

Sharron points to December as the time to hit on the best deals. The Calais Christmas market takes over the town the weekend 12-14th December with its gorgeous gothic theatre as a centre piece.

Mingle with the locals over a glass or three of warm mulled wine and look out for strings of smoked garlic, home-made honey, saucissons (sausages) with herbs, olives or walnuts and of course, the unforgettable festive Christmas puddings.

These may look ordinary enough, but brace yourself: the French add much more rum and serve it flambed.

For cheeses, let your nose guide you to Maison du Fromage et du Vin, just off Place d’Armes, a fromagerie owned by the Crespo family.

KEN BENNETT travelled to France as a guest of P&O Ferries who offer a choice of up to 25 return sailings a day on a 90-minute Dover-to Calais crossing.

Day trip fares for a car and passengers (up to nine people in total) costs from £29 return. Or, for any length of stay, from £27 each way. Upgrade to Club Lounge for £12 a person each way. And they also have a superb Langan’s Brassiere on board.

Check out: www.POferries.com, or call: 087 16 646464 for bookings and further information.

For Sharron Livingston’s best bargains, and hot tips to get the best out of a shopping trip, visit her websites at: www.channelhoppers.net or www.calais-guide.co.uk

Further information about shops, restaurants, events and attractions in Calais, visit the English language section at www.ot-calais.fr