Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­

Automated shopping is replacing the small shops that are closing in rural villages and market towns across France. Despite hand-wringing in mairies, in most cases empty shops remain empty. But a new generation of machines are sprouting in lay-bys and car parks. 

The ÃŽle de Ré has had its famous oyster dispensing machines since 2010, and baguette vending machines have been around for a while. Both are simple machines in the sense that you put your money in and out comes the product. 

The drawback of the baguette machines however, is that they have to be refilled regularly. Twice a day in an ideal world. 

I have tried on half a dozen different occasions to buy a baguette from one of these machines but every single one of them has been empty. Most only work on certain days. 

The verdict in our household is that we prefer to keep part-cooked baguettes in the house as a stand-by.

Read also:  Meet the French farmers with a 24-hour self-service boutique

Pizza machines are slightly more complex in that they promise to serve piping hot pizza. Curious, we strolled through the village to the new machine. It proved to be much easier to operate than expected. It has a touch screen and a limited choice of pizzas, making it easy to choose. 

We got a ham and mushroom one for €10 and paid by card. The machine was plastered with stickers encouraging us to download the 'appli' but what for? 

We could choose whether to buy it cold or hot, and the machine promised that heating it up would take less than three minutes. We were sceptical, but the machine was true to its promise and a box of piping hot pizza was very soon posted through the delivery slot into our eager hands. 

First impressions at home; it was small and the toppings did not extend even close to the edges. It was not bad though. We have all eaten worse, I guess. We will not be going again though, not unless we really don't have any other choice. 

'Happy' vending machines

The API Supérette was a different experience however. (Api is the French pronunciation of 'happy'...). 

These mini-supermarkets are in small, prefabricated mobile homes about the size of a large container, and to use them you really do have to download the 'appli' to get your personal QR code. In the process you have to upload your ID card or driving licence.

Open 24 hours a day, they are un-staffed and protected by CCTV cameras. You use your personal QR code to open the door, and once inside there is an impressive range of fresh and chilled foods as well as batteries, bulbs, nappies and baguettes. There is no alcohol. 

Read also: This self-service wine vending machine has been approved for French roadsides

The prices are comparable to any other supermarket, and the products are Carrefour own brand. Carrefour does not own API, but it is in partnership with them as their supplier.

You take your basket, do your shopping and scan your code again at the till. You then follow the instructions, check your shopping out, and pay by card. It is very easy and convenient. 

The supérettes are cleaned and restocked every day by an employee who is often responsible for several API stores. The one we met told us that several locals shopped there daily, timing their visits to coincide with her routine. She said that some of her regulars have given up going to the big supermarket because they prefer a smaller shop with less walking, even if that does mean less choice.

And finally, not far away there is a new automatic launderette in a mobile home, but we have not tried it because people use it to wash horse blankets...