France - Explore Six Best Paris Street Markets

Best Shopping for Antiques, Food, Clothes, Books and Exotic Birds

Jun 4, 2007

Paris is known for its food markets but there are many more street markets worth exploring. Discover six of the best in different areas of Paris. All are easy to reach.

Practically every quartier (district) of Paris has its market. each with it’s own atmosphere, and sometimes its own specialties. Here are six of the best.

This large market is one of the finest in Paris. It sells everything from fur coats to oriental carpets. There are pots and pans, cosmetics at knock-down prices and of course the usual large selection of food. Close by is the giant complex known as Les Invalides where the glittering golden dome of he Church of St. Louis marks the final resting place of Napoleon Bonaparte.

One of the cheapest and liveliest markets in Paris, with a strong North African influence This is the place, price-wise, to stock up on salamis, cheese, and regional specialties to take home with you. There’s also a wonderful spice stall and another where you can fill your own containers with differently flavoured olive oils. A popular attraction here is Le Baron Rouge,a down to earth, authentic bistro. Try a plate of oysters and a beer or a fat chunk of salami, a round of soft creamy cheese, served with bread and pickles. Get there by noon if possible as it gets very crowded.

Paris Street Markets - Marché aux Puce St. Ouen - Largest Flea Market

Situated on the city’s northern boundary this is Paris’ largest flea market. The century-old labyrinth of alleyways holds more than two thousand open and covered market stalls. It is made up of half a dozen markets grouped together and between them they sell practically anything you could possibly want.The Marché aux Puce is packed with antiques and junk stalls, musical instruments, fine china, lead soldiers, uniforms from the First World War. You name it, it’s here.

Just down the road from Notre Dame, the Rue Montorgueil is one of the best food markets in Paris. It started as a fish and oyster market nearly a thousand years ago. Today it is a colourful pedestrianized zone. Stohrer, at No.15, is a great patisserie and has been around since Louis XV was munching its cakes.

The wonderful cheese stalls may make you change your mind about having dinner in a restaurant. A picnic of delicious cheese, bread and a bottle of wine enjoyed in your hotel room watching the tv could just what you need after a hard day’s sightseeing.

For bookworms the Marché aux Livres is paradise. After the bustle of the food markets it is an oasis of calm reflection as people browse the stalls, engrossed in their search for that elusive volume of poems, the out-of-print novel, or just anything that catches their fancy.

The market is housed under old cast iron arches and covers a considerable area. If you like books, allow yourself plenty of time here.

(Nearest Metro: Port de Vanves. Square Georges Brassens. Saturday and Sunday 9am-6pm)

On Sundays, the year-round flower market on the Ile de la Cité is transformed into a bird market. There are cages of parakeets, canaries, and masses of other brilliantly coloured species, plus lots of cages for sale too for those who lose their heart to a twittering friend. Overlooking the bird market is the massive Notre Dame. Why not visit the cathedral on a Sunday morning when it is busy with worshippers and investigate the bird market at the same time?

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