Épicerie La Joie

There’s jubilation in Albi, since La Joie found a place in the sun (in this case, opposite the Italian grocery store Allegra), offering a star cast of carefully selected goods. In the crates, nothing but tasty locally-grown vegetables (including peppers from the Jardins de La Landelle), and on the shelves, amazing store-cupboard essentials that you’ll want to snap up and stuff in your shopping bag, like Variette sauces made in the Gers with organic heirloom tomatoes, or pickled cucumbers from Terroirs du Lebanon. The range is complete with a well-sourced Japanese section, with more than just Koshihikari rice! And for when hunger strikes, dash over to the counter for a sandwich made on the spot with Maison Montalet charcuterie. // Agathe Abigmouth

THE HIDDEN GEM: The chickpeas from Vanessa Vialettes, grown about 15 kilometers away (€5.90 per kilo).