the french food markets
- Caroline
- 5 mars 2018
- 4 min de lecture
(photo Behind the Seine)
Paris's star attractions certainly justify the hype but the real magic of Paris sometimes lies on the unexpected, which can simply lies on real life. French food markets prove it.
Furthermore there’s no better way to experience a new culture than through its food, a universal fact more true in France than perhaps anywhere else!
(photo©Behind the Seine)
Don't miss the opportunity to get a key element of French life and follow me for a food walk in Paris.
(photo©Behind the Seine)
Why you should absolutely visit a food market or more in Paris ?
If you want to feel the village spirit of Paris, nothing encapsulates better this atmosphere than the food markets.
French food markets are often outside and in the heart of each neighbourhood. They are always colourful, busy and above all it is the place to meet the locals !
(photo©Behind the Seine)
The screaming vendors and the melee of people winding their way through the alleys is a permanent and authentic show !
(photo©Behind the Seine)
Most neighbourhoods have at least one or two weekly open-air markets all year long, often located in a town square or open parking lot.
(photo©Behind the Seine)
There is much more in a market than fruits and veggies, though.
Selections vary at each location, but you can always find fresh fish, meat, charcuterie, poultry or pork specialists, rotisserie, cheese, spices, and flowers !
(photo©Behind the Seine)
(photo©Behind the Seine)
Increasingly stalls of prepared food ready to eat are present with sometimes an interesting variety of world food. But you will also find bakery stalls, natural and organic products such as honey.
(photo©Behind the Seine)
When possible there is a selection of non-edibles too. Items as linen, towels, scarves, handbags, shoes, jewellery, clothes and handmade crafts.
(photo©Behind the Seine)
More often than one might think , there is still some old fashioned stalls of ironmongers selling all kinds of little items for cooking, cleaning, as knives, pans, clothes pegs, hangers, vacuum bags...
(photo©Behind the Seine)
Bring a bag, a basket, a wheelie cart, something to transport your items as there are no shopping bags given on the markets and the products use to come in small paper bags, or even just wrapped.
(photo©Behind the Seine)
The markets are not just a shopping spot for a neighbourhood, they are also a social place. Even when the line may be extraordinary long you will see sellers and clients talking, joking...
And it is not only about selling, the vendor could ask you what are you going to cook and when, he will consider the different varieties available, he may recommend you one type or another depending what you are preparing. It is very common to get culinary tips from your vendor and even sometimes talking about recipes within the line with fellow shoppers.
There is always something happening in the alleys, at the stalls.
Don't miss this hustle and bustle !
(photo Pinterest)
Eating on the Market is always possible! As explained previously, many stalls of prepared food ready to eat are available. Apart the usual roasted chicken with potatoes, you will find frequently couscous, a crêperie, a Chinese stall, catering with warm dishes, and depending on the seasons oysters usually accompanied by a glass of wine.
(Marché des enfants rouges - photo©Behind the Seine)
Excepted if you go to the market with a toddler or young child who can be given many pieces of everything, do not expect too many samples. The fruit or cheese sellers are more able to offer tasting.
Driven by this special energy beating in the markets, Parisians used to stroll or run within the market toting typically shopping bags on wheels, but they never lose the occasion to chat with neighbours, fellow shoppers or the stallholders.
(photo©Behind the Seine)
Nothing could be better than going to a food market to understand and appreciate our culture. You will see the different products, taste some specialities and probably learn about the French cooking traditions and recipes.
(photo©Behind the Seine)
(photo©Behind the Seine)
There is no best Parisian market, they are all interesting because of their location, their characteristic, or just because of their opening days.
In fact all are worth it. So I would suggest :
Marché Bastille : Stretching along the boulevard Richard Lenoir to the historic Place de la Bastille. Perfect to enjoy all that the exciting neighbourhood has to offer ! Thursdays and Sundays.
Marché Mouffetard : One of the last traditional market street in the historic location of the Quartier Latin, the site of the Roman city of Lutetia. With the charming church of Saint Médard, it is a typical Parisian village. Everyday excepted Mondays.
Marché Raspail : Because it is a full organic market. The more stylish market of Paris. Only Sundays.
Marché d'Aligre : A famous, colored and popular market with hip people. It offers a variety of ethnic foods and unique French favorites that you can’t find just anywhere. Very Bohemian chic ! Everyday excepted Mondays.
Marché des enfants rouges : A little and historical covered market with a few stalls of fresh products but above all many stalls of take away world food. A few tables to share if you want to eat there. A great spot when strolling in the Marais ! Everyday excepted Mondays .
Pay attention to this one the Marché de Rungis : When the famous Les Halles market of Central Paris was demolished in the 1970s, the hundreds of vendors who made their livelihood there were relocated to an expansive site in the Parisian suburb of Rungis, now an international food destination.
This mega wholesale food market serves the Paris metropolitan area, it is a city within itself boasting that it services 18 million consumers, houses over 1200 suppliers within, and is laid out across 234 hectares (1 square mile) – it is said to be the largest in the world.
So all of this to tell you that a number of the products that you find on the Markets in Paris are coming from this central location which starts buzzing with activity at 4am.
Only professionals can buy there but you can visit the market with cultural agencies and see the never-ending ballet of some 26,000 vehicles that come daily to Rungis (the flower warehouse is amazing!).
(photo Rungisinternational.com)
The Parisian food markets, more than a food shopping tour it is a social experience !
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