Biocoop Bastille — Specialty Store in Bastille, Paris

Biocoop Bastille is a branch of the Biocoop chain, and what sets this one apart is how much it packs into its spot on Rue Boulle in Bastille. Walk in and the first thing you notice is the depth of the shelves: this is a store that stocks widely, with a fresh produce section that carries top-quality fruit and vegetables daily and a spice selection broad enough to cover a specific recipe rather than just the basics.

The bulk section is where to start. Cereals, tamari sauce and brewer's yeast are all sold this way, and it is the kind of shopping that rewards bringing your own containers. Fresh cashews turn up here too, and the organic vegetables are the everyday draw for anyone cooking at home.

Prices run competitive on many items, sometimes below what non-organic products cost elsewhere, and a few things add up to €5 to €20 for a small basket. Fresh produce is sold by the kilo at rates that make it worth checking out, though some items on the shelves sit higher than you might expect.

Staff are welcoming and attentive, helping track down a spice blend or answering questions about bulk goods and expiration dates by phone.

For a neighbourhood organic shop, the combination of bulk staples, fresh produce and a team that knows the stock makes it a place worth building a weekly routine around.