Summary:
The cost of living in Monaco is higher than elsewhere, with high prices for food, but a comparison of supermarkets in the region shows that prices for basic products are not significantly different.
Full Story:
Is it necessary to be a millionaire to eat in Monaco? The myth of an expensive Principality persists. But is this really the case? Do the stores in Monaco only cater to wealthy clientele?
Living in Monaco means enjoying an idyllic lifestyle: seaside, abundant sunshine, safety, and impeccable healthcare system. However, this paradise comes with a price, and the cost of living is higher than elsewhere. The real estate prices, which have an impact on commercial rents, are to blame [source].
Indeed, whether in Monégasque supermarkets or at markets, the prices of food can reach new heights. For instance, our reader Joëlle found a melon for 8€, and Mina discovered cherries at 26€ per kilo. It is no wonder that the Casino in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin was named the most expensive store in France. Rent prices play a role, but stores also adjust their prices based on their clientele’s means.
In Monaco, residents frequently complain about the prices, especially when it comes to fruits and vegetables. They say that “the vegetable market is ridiculously expensive,” “prices are higher than in France,” “everything is too expensive,” and “Monaco is not only for billionaires.” Some voices are calling for the establishment of a Grand Frais supermarket, such as Quentin, Catherine, and “Mamie Coccinelle.”
Fortunately, the Condamine market offers quality products, particularly from producers like the Brunengo brothers, as shared by Joëlle, Jeannine, and Vivi on Facebook.
But what is the reality? Are supermarkets in Monaco really more expensive than those in nearby towns and the rest of the Alpes-Maritimes?
According to the interactive map of the association UFC Que Choisir, which compiles and compares supermarket prices in the region, the Intermarché hypermarket on Avenue Saint-Roman in Menton is the cheapest in the eastern part of the French Riviera. Their data shows that the average cost of a shopping cart for a family in this supermarket is 535€. This is followed by the Carrefour TNL in Nice with an average cart cost of 536€, and then the Super U in Nice Riquier at 544€. The Carrefour in Fontvieille is not known for its attractive prices, with many people finding it too expensive due to a lack of competition in the Principality.
However, if we compare a selection of basic products (pasta, rice, olive oil, yogurt, eggs, biscuits, coffee, fruits, and vegetables like tomatoes, peaches, zucchinis, and eggplants), the price differences are not as significant as one might imagine. The Carrefour in Fontvieille costs 36.46€, while Carrefour TNL in Nice costs 34.90€, and the Intermarché hypermarket in Menton costs 37.32€.
For those looking for even lower prices, it is still possible to visit the market in Ventimiglia, Italy, where fresh fruits and vegetables are offered at more affordable prices.
In conclusion, while some products may be sold at very high prices in Monaco, the prices of common products, for example, at the Carrefour in Fontvieille, remain average compared to other hypermarkets on the French Riviera.
Source:
Monaco Tribune
