Reply #74: it has changed since then

[tocqueville]

Where I live there are 3 bigger supermarkets, and about 10 smaller. Add to that a big store (food + clothes) in the middle of the town + a huge mall. Then 3 open markets and the Arab market.

The small specialized shops still exist, but the small butchers/charks have nearly disappeared due to much tougher hygiene conditions.

The local French little grocery store has nearly disappeared but been replaced by the Arab one, open all hours. It sells basically the same stuff, but makes its money on selling booze late (after 21.00).

The center of the city is car-free (areal of about 5 square miles).
The tramway (a second line to be open soon) transports about 1/4 of the population everyday. It might go up to 1/3 after the new line open. A 3rd line will open 2011.