Paris Markets, Fun Places To Visit In Paris
Exploring the many Paris markets is a true delight, and a wonderful way to experience life as a local.
Rue Mouffetard
The quality and variety is excellent – ranging from fruit, vegetables, fish, meats and cheese, to antiques, books, clothing and flowers (not to mention the puces – flea markets).
Every neighbourhood has a market, and there are over seventy in Paris alone.
Visiting street markets is where you can see a glimpse of the ‘real’ paris culture and daily life: parisian residents come here for their weekly shop and have been doing so for years.
So if you’re looking for cheap vacation ideas – one of the best ways to spend a morning is to wander the Paris market stalls and stock up for a picnic. The stallholders are passionate and knowledgeable about their produce and will be only be too happy to advise on how to prepare and eat it. You’ll hear them strike up friendly conversations with customers who visit regularly.
Many stallholders travel long distances to paris from their farms – some as far as Toulouse. So you can sample oysters from Brittany, cheese from Normandy, foie gras from Perigord, or olives from Provence ….all from one street in Paris!
Cheese on Rue Cler
There are two types of markets – permanent (sometimes called ‘market streets’) and temporary, or ‘roving’ (Marché Volant). The temporary markets will be open on a few days each week (normally closed on Mondays), usually running from early morning to early afternoon. The permanent markets will have stalls and specialist shops set up permanently on a particular street, and tend to be open all day (except Mondays and Sunday afternoons and evenings).
If you see something you like, request them from the vendor (rather than helping yourself) – unless there is a sign that says “service libre” – which means you are free to pick things on your own.
It’s best to bring cash as some of the smaller merchants may not accept credit cards.
Paris Markets – Our Top Picks
Market Scene – Rue Cler
Here are some of the best markets in Paris, offering fantastic food shopping, as well wine and flowers. These markets have a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, and are in charming neighbourhoods, easily reached by métro.
Markets Near the Eiffel Tower
- The Rue Cler market is in the 7th arrondissement (Métro: La Tour Maubourg). Good shopping also on nearby Rue de Grenelle (cheese and pastry shops). Open weekdays (some shops are closed on Mondays though), Saturdays and Sunday morning. [permanent market]
- The Avenue Saxe Breteuil market (Thursday and Saturday mornings) is one of the most beautiful, starting from Place de Breteil through to Avenue de Ségur. Métro: École Militaire. [temporary market]
Markets Near Montmartre
For Amélie fans, try the quintessental parisian market on Rue Lepic in the 18th arrondissement. Wander along Rue des Abbesses down to Boulevard de Clichy. Métro: Abbesses [permanent market].
Markets in St Germain
The lively market in Rue Mouffetard is popular with locals and tourists. Métro: Monge. [permanent market]
Marché Monge is one of the most charming and smaller markets in Paris (it tends to be less crowded than rue Mouffetard), and is open on Wednesday and Friday mornings, and Sunday from 7am-3pm.
On Sundays, visit the Raspail market for organic produce, located on Boulevard Raspail, between rue du Cherche-Midi and rue de Rennes. Métro: Rennes/Sevres-Babylone.
Paris Markets around the Marais
The Bastille market is one of the largest in the city, and is located on boulevard Richard Lenoir, from Rue Amelot to Rue St Sabin. Open on Thursday and Sunday mornings, it sells a wide variety of treats, as well as clothing and accessories. Métro: Bastille.