Champs Libres, the virtuous grocery store and its healthy, seasonal lunch offer

Urban and virtuous, Champs Libres grocery stores have become, in the space of three years, veritable temples to good food and good eating in Eastern Paris, with three locations (boulevard Voltaire, rue de Charenton, avenue du Général Michel Bizot) and soon a fourth in Couronnes, which will focus on catering.

Champs Libres was founded by Bastien, the son of farmers from the Seine-et-Marne region, who was driven by the desire to showcase the work of passionate, committed craftsmen and farmers, as well as the finest local French produce. And this is indeed what transpires from these responsible grocery stores that advocate access to better food for all.

On the stalls, heavily laden with good produce from sustainable, organic or sustainable farming, respectful of the soil, the environment and animal welfare. To achieve this, Champs Libres has chosen to source its products directly from producers in short circuits, in line with the seasons.

"We do our utmost to charge fair prices. Both so that our producers are remunerated for their superb work, and so that our products (and therefore, good eating) remain accessible to our customers. Our producers set their own prices, which we don't negotiate, and working in a short circuit allows us to maintain this virtuous circle," explains Bastien.

You'll find fruit and vegetables from Cueillette de Compans, red fruit in summer from Fraiseraie de l'étang, free-range eggs from Ferme de Vecten and goat's cheese from Fromagerie Moret. As locavore as it gets, Champs Libres allows itself a few extra kilometers to pick up charcuterie from Franche-Comté, duck from the South-West, and sometimes fruit and vegetables not found in France, from small organic cooperatives in Sicily or Andalusia.

On the shelves are dozens of carefully selected dry products (sardines, olive oils, pasta, legumes, peppers, dried fruits, olives), as well as dairy products and beverages, such as artisanal fruit juices and natural wines. Also new at Champs Libres Voltaire is a café area with terrace where you can sip coffees by Gramgram, teas by Kodama or lattes by Main Noire.

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The little extra? The transformation of damaged vegetables into sauces, compotes and preserves, so as not to spoil anything! Champs Libres also boasts a catering service and an affordable lunchtime menu with a focus on vegetables, devised by young chef Esteban, who has worked at Lenôtre, Dalloyau, Potel & Chabot and Maison Plisson.

On our visit, we were treated to a comforting leek, potato and broccoli soup (4€), a competitive duck and sweet potato parmentier (we weigh our words; 9.50€) and a lemon cream (3.50€) for those with a sweet tooth. Whether you're looking to buy or eat in, Champs Libres has everything you'd expect from a local grocery store!

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please mention it in the comments.