Many Parisians (especially among the older generations) abstain from buying fresh produce, cheese, meat and fish from their corner supermarket, and for good reason: traditional Paris food markets count in the dozens, with several open one or more days a week in every neighborhood. Market products are often fresher, more flavorful, and less expensive than supermarket counterparts. It can also be a lot more environmentally friendly since the fresh fruit and produce in particular tends to come from local farms.
Not to mention that the Paris market experience is always a colorful and stimulating one. Fruit vendors call out the latest bargains in singsong tones, coaxing you to come sample a juicy wedge of tangerine or garden tomato. At the cheese stand, you can solicit an expert opinion on which goat cheese is best paired with the wine you bought. If you're learning French, hitting the local Paris food markets or "farmers'" markets can be a great way to practice and interact. Even if you're staying in a hotel, why not take a whirl and browse the market, buying a little fresh fruit for breakfast or cheese to go with your baguette? I also recommend heading to the open-air or covered markets to get stocked up for spring or summer picnics in Paris. You'll be surprised at how wonderful a meal composed from simple, fresh and inexpensive ingredients can be-- and no doubt pleased at having foregone yet another expensive restaurant bill.
Which Markets are the Best?
Some of the most reputed and pleasant temporary Paris food markets include the Aligre market (12th arrondissement), Bastille market (11th arrondissement) the Maubert Market and Place Monge Market (both in the 5th arrondissement). For the health-conscious, an all-organic food market takes over the Marché Raspail (6th arrondissement) every Sunday morning, and the Batignolles market on Saturday morning. Meanwhile, the St-Quentin covered market near Gare de L'Est (10th arrondissement) is the largest covered market in Paris, and always full of noisy energy (and fantastic food). Devoted foodies should consider heading to these spots. However, most traditional Paris farmer's markets offer a good level of quality and variety. If you want a quaint look at what's available in the neighborhood you're staying in, find a nearby Paris food market below.
Markets Neighborhood by Neighborhood
To quickly locate a traditional Paris food market near you, click on the arrondissement (district) you're in or will be staying in during your trip (scroll down to choose the arrondissement). You can easily figure out what arrondissement you're in by looking at any street sign, located on corner buildings. Note that these lists do not concern permanent outdoor markets such as those found on Rue Montorgueil or Rue Mouffetard. Read more about permanent Paris street food markets here.
Information on market locations and times was sourced from the official Paris city website
- 1st Arrondissement: Markets in the 1st Arrondissement of Paris (around Louvre/Tuileries/Chatelet)
- 2nd Arrondissement: Markets in the 2nd Arrondissement of Paris (around Bourse/Rue Montorgueil)
- 3rd Arrondissement: Markets in the 3rd Arrondissement of Paris (around Temple/Arts et Metiers)
- 4th Arrondissement: Markets in the 4th Arrondissement of Paris (around the Marais/Metro St. Paul/Hotel de Ville/Notre Dame Cathedral)
- 5th Arrondissement: Markets in the 5th Arrondissement of Paris (around St-Michel/Pantheon/Rue Mouffetard)
- 6th Arrondissement Markets in the 6th Arrondissement of Paris (near St-Germain-des-Pres)
- 7th Arrondissement: Markets in the 7th Arrondissement of Paris (near Eiffel Tower/Musee d'Orsay)
- 8th Arrondissement: Markets in the 8th Arrondissement of Paris (near the Champs-Elysees/Madeleine/Concorde)
- 9th Arrondissement: Markets in the 9th Arrondissement of Paris (near Opera Garnier/Grands Boulevards)
- 10th Arrondissement: Markets in the 10th Arrondissement of Paris (near the Canal St. Martin/Gare du Nord/Gare de L'Est)
- 11th Arrondissement Markets in the 11th Arrondissement of Paris (near Bastille/Rue Oberkampf/Republique/Voltaire)
- 12th Arrondissement: Markets in the 12th Arrondissement of Paris (near Gare de Lyon/Bercy)
- 13th Arrondissement: Markets in the 13th Arrondissement of Paris (near Place d'Italie/Gobelins)
- 14th Arrondissement: Markets in the 14th Arrondissement of Paris (near Montparnasse/Denfert-Rochereau)
- 15th Arrondissement: Markets in the 15th Arrondissement of Paris (near Porte de Versailles/Commerce)
- 16th Arrondissement: Markets in the 16th Arrondissement of Paris (near Palais de Tokyo/Porte Maillot/Passy)
- 17th Arrondissement: Markets in the 17th Arrondissement of Paris (near Place de Clichy/Batignolles)
- 18th Arrondissement: Markets in the 18th Arrondissement of Paris (near Montmartre/Barbes/La Goutte d'Or)
- 19th Arrondissement: Markets in the 19th Arrondissement of Paris (near Buttes-Chaumont/Quai de Seine/La Villette)
- 20th Arrondissement: Markets in the 20th Arrondissement of Paris (near Belleville/Charonne/Gambetta)
