Why are we so charmed by the visit to the Parisian markets? Perhaps because it allows us, even for a few minutes, to partake in a very French experience, and reveals to us the great abundance of fruits, vegetables, cheese, meat, and fish Paris has to offer.
In Paris there are about 70 markets, some are open daily, and other only on certain days, some are open markets, and others are inside a covered building, in some you’ll find food, while in others you may find some art pieces, clothes, etc. In short, the abundance and the selection are amazing, and no single article can fit into its scope all that the City of Lights has to offer. Out of this great selection, I’ll note a few of my favourite markets in Paris, but first of all, allow me to give you a few general tips that will make your wandering and purchasing experience much more pleasant.
Markets in Paris – general tips
- The markets are always more vibrant and filled with buyers on the weekends, so if you’re looking for an anthropological experience, you should visit them on these days. However, if you’re looking for a more relaxed shopping experience, it would probably be better for you to visit the markets during the week, when there aren’t so many people around.
- if you’re looking for the best selection, go to the market as early as possible. If you’re looking for the best prices – get there as late as possible.
- Before you decide what and where to buy, it’s better to walk through the entire market, in order to look at the selection and get a sense of the prices (most of the markets, especially the temporary ones, are not so big, so it is possible to walk through the entire market in a relatively short period of time).
- If you see a stand with a sign that says “Producteur”, know that this is a farmer selling his own goods directly to the consumer.
- Pay attention to where the lines are. If there is a vendor selling good merchandise, the Parisians will be loyal to him. Therefore, a long line next to a certain stand is a very good sign, that usually points out to the fact that this is a vendor with excellent goods to sell.
- Take a look around the stand – are there bags located at your convenience in the vicinity? If so, you can choose your own fruits or vegetables. If not, this means that you have to ask the vendor to choose for you (and if you see that he has chosen an item of a lesser quality, don’t hesitate to ask him – politely, of course – to replace it.
- It is highly recommended to ask the vendors which products come especially recommended for the season of the year. The difference in flavour between a fruit/vegetable eaten in its natural season and the same item eaten outside of its season is immense.
- When you buy cheese, you should tell the vendor when you’d like to eat them (today, tomorrow, in a month, etc.), and he will choose for you the cheese with the right level of maturity.
- Don’t worry if your French is not very fluent. A few words of politesse will suffice to get good service (for those who would like additional information, I recommend reading the post How not to annoy the French).
Before we continue: some very interesting exhibitions in Paris
My favourite Parisian markets
Marché d’Aligre
Address: Rue d’Aligre (from Rue Crozatier), 12th Arrondissement
Open on Tuesday-Sunday, 8:00-13:00
Many would agree that this is the best market in the city. Ask Parisians about their weekend plans, and there is a good chance that they will include a visit to this market, followed by a meal with friends in one of the many restaurants in this vibrant area. The market is divided into three sub-markets: the open food market, located alongside Rue d’Aligre; the covered market of Beauvau; and the flea market. Here you will find a great abundance of fruits, vegetables, fish, and gourmand food, alongside clothes and other “stuff”.
Would you like to live near Marché d’Aligre and buy fresh and delicious food every day of your vacation?
Here are a few apartments, which I recommend.
Cosy Duplex
Type: Private Apartment
Number of rooms: 1
Paris Boutik : Suite duplex L’épicerie Bastille / Gare de Lyon
Type: Private Apartment
Number of rooms: 2
Residhome Paris Gare de Lyon – Jacqueline de Romilly
Type: Apartment Hotel
Number of rooms: 1-2
Marché des Enfants Rouges (the Red Children’s market)
Address: 39 Rue de Bretagne, 3rd Arrondissement
Open on Tuesday-Saturday, 8:30-20:00 (on Thursdays until 21:00); Sunday, 8:30-17:00
This is the oldest covered market in Paris. It was established in 1628, and was named after an orphanage that resided in the area, where the children wore red clothes. In the 1980s the municipality decided to close the market, but in light of vast public protest it was reopened, and comprises an abundance of wonderful food, right by all the lovely gems of the Marais.
Would you like to live near Marché des Enfants Rouges at the heart of the Marais?
Here are a few well located apartments.
Appartement rue des Francs Bourgeois – Marais
Type: Private Apartment
Number of rooms: 1
Luxury 2 Bedroom Le Marais
Type: Private Apartment
Number of rooms: 3
Luxury 3 Bedroom Le Marais
Type: Private Apartment
Number of rooms: 4
Paris Boutik : Suite La Librairie du Marais
Type: Private Apartment
Number of rooms: 1
The Pearl of Marais
Type: Private Apartment
Number of rooms: 2
Transparent Marais
Type: Apartment Hotel
Number of rooms: 1-3
Marché Saint-Eustache
Address: Between Rue Rambuteau and Rue du Jour, 1st Arrondissement
Open on Thursday, 12:30-20:30; Sunday, 7:00-15:00
Personally, I love this market very much because of its location and its history. On one hand, it constitutes a memorial for the large wholesale market that resided in the area until the 1970s, and on the other hand, it is within walking distance from rue Montorgueil, with its culinary treasures.
Great apartments near rue Montorgueil
Apartments Du Louvre
Type: Apartment Hotel
Number of rooms: 1-3
Jardin Saint Honoré Apartments
Type: Apartment Hotel
Number of rooms: 2
Le Lavandier flat
Type: Private Apartment
Number of rooms: 1
Marché St-Honoré
Type: Private Apartment
Number of rooms: 4
Magnifique Appartement dans Hôtel Particulier Monument Historique
Type: Private Apartment
Number of rooms: 2
Marché Mouffetard
כתובת: בתחתית רחוב מופטאר (הרובע החמישי).
פתוח כל יום חוץ משני בין השעות 08:00-13:00.
This is another one of the oldest markets in Paris (ostensibly established in 1654, although there’s evidence that it operated as early as the 14th century). This charming market conserves the memory of medieval Paris, thanks to its old houses and the cobblestones, the likes of which can hardly be found in Paris anymore. It is best to visit the market on Sunday morning, and enjoy the chansons sang in public, alongside dances in the street. When you visit there, you’ll understand why many people (and not only I) have fallen in love with this market over the years.
Recommended apartment not far away from the market of Mouffetard
Apartment Quartier Latin – Mouffetard
Type: Private Apartment
Number of rooms: 2
Charmant Notre Dame Appartement 2 rooms
Type: Private Apartment
Number of rooms: 2
Les Tomettes Rouges
Type: Private Apartment
Number of rooms: 1
My Nest Inn Paris Mouffetard
Type: Private Apartment
Number of rooms: 2
My Nest Inn Paris Panthéon
Type: Private Apartment
Number of rooms: 1
Studio Cosy Rue Saint Jacques
Type: Private Apartment
Number of rooms: 1
The food section of Le Bon Marché department store
Address: the corner of Rue de Sevres and Rue du Bac, 7th Arrondissement
Open on Monday-Saturday, 10:00-20:00 (on Thursday until 20:45); Sunday, 11:00-20:00
This is not a “market” in the classic sense of the word, but I decided to add this place to my list of recommendations thanks to the vast culinary richness it possesses. The only problem is, well, the price.
Marché de Clignancourt (Les Puces de Saint-Ouen)
Address: Porte de Clignancourt, 18th Arrondissement
Open on Saturday, 9:00-18:00; Sunday, 10:00-18:00; Monday, 11:00-17:00
This is the largest and most famous flea market in Paris. Here you can find old and even ancient items, and there are quite a few vendors there specialising in specific periods (for example: items from World-War 2). You can also find clothes, jewellery, watches, sunglasses, and more. In Rue des Rosiers (don’t mistaken this street for the one in the Marais, bearing the same name) there are nearly 3,000 stands, and many restaurants where you can eat and rest during and after your shopping experience. Although the prices are not as cheap as they used to be, you can still find some bargains here. Sundays are the busiest days, and while Mondays are quieter, note that not all stands would be open then.
Anything else?
– If you happen to come to Paris in November or December, don’t miss the Christmas markets.
– If you’re planning a vacation in Paris, and looking for attractions, restaurants, tips, and more, don’t miss the part of the website about Paris.
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