Top Food Markets in Paris


 

Updated by Jordan 7/12/2019

Fresh and delicious products are essential for creating the best cuisine, and what better place to find them than in Paris food markets? The culture of food is incredibly important in France, and most Parisians shop for fresh ingredients daily.

Today I’ll be sharing our picks for the top food markets in Paris, so you can shop like a local! No matter your tastes or dietary preferences, there’s something amazing waiting for you at the food markets in Paris.

The oldest one: Marché des Enfants Rouges

Photo sourced from Wikimedia Commons

 

First up on our list of the top food markets in Paris is the iconic Marché des Enfants Rouges. Dating  back to 1628, this market is the oldest food market in all of Paris! Located in the Marais area (learn more about our free walking tour in the trendy Marais) just off the busy shopping street Rue de Bretagne, this market is centrally located and has an amazing selection of products!

Housed in a renovated orphanage, this historic covered market offers farmer’s market fare as well as amazing dining options! Here you’ll find fresh products, butchers, fishmongers, dairies, florists and incredible restaurants and food stands from all over the world. Traditional French crêpes, tasty Japanese bentos, Caribbean specialties and Moroccan couscous are just a few of the options available at the Marché des Enfants Rouges. After shopping or a stop for lunch at the market, you can go for a walk through the charming Marais area. I really think the little streets in this neighborhood are best explored on foot!

practical information:
marché des Enfants Rouges – 39 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris
metro station: filles du calvaire or saint sebastien froissart
opening hours: tuesday – saturday 8:30AM//7:30PM
sunday 8:30AM//2PM

The lively one: Marché d’Aligre

Photo sourced from Wikimedia Commons

Perhaps the busiest market in the city, Marché d’Aligre is one of my choices for this guide to the top food markets in Paris. This market is located in the international 12th district of Paris, making Marché d’Aligre an incredible melting pot of cultures. Less famous than the Marché des Enfants Rouges, you’ll find plenty of locals shopping for fresh produce here. If you’re looking for great deals on fresh food, Marché d’Aligre is the food market for you.

Offering a wider selection and more culturally diverse than most other food markets in Paris, the prices are quite affordable. I would recommend that you visit the market in early afternoon (around 1 P.M.) to get the best experience. Since the market is about to close, this is the time when you can haggle with the vendors and get some amazing deals!

This bustling market is connected to the covered Marché Beauvau on the same square. Step inside for a maze of lively stalls selling everything from spices to fresh fish! I love that you can find anything at the Marché d’Aligre, for example there’s also a vintage/flea market section where you can find all kinds of old treasures.

practical information:
Marché d’Aligre – Place d’Aligre, 75012 Paris
metro station: ledru-rollin
opening hours: tuesday – saturday 9AM//1PM sunday 9AM//2:30PM

The one where the locals go: Marché Saxe-Breteuil

By Ludowijk Hertog on Unsplash

Next up on my guide to the top food markets in Paris takes us to the 7th arrondissement. Despite being home to attractions like the Rodin museum, Invalides and the Eiffel Tower, this area remains largely residential. Most visitors in the 7th don’t stray far from the major monuments, which leaves the rest of the neighborhood nearly tourist-free, and the perfect spot for a food market. I recommend grabbing a few snacks and having a picnic on the nearby Jacques Chaban-Delmas, or even at the Eiffel Tower which is just a 5-minute walk away.

The marché Saxe-Breteuil is easily one of the top food markets in Paris, not only for the amazing location, but the vast selection and friendly service. At the crossroads of Avenue Saxe and Avenue Breteuil, you’ll find a fully-stocked farmer’s market that stretches on for blocks. The fruit and veggie selection here is great; and there’s even a whole stand dedicated just to tomatoes! Poultry, butchers, cheese mongers, and florists also have stalls here. You’ll find the clientèle and staff to be mostly local, so here is a great opportunity to practice your French skills.

practical information:
marché saxe-breteuil – avenue de saxe, 75007 Paris
metro station: ségur
opening hours: thursday and saturday 7AM//2:30PM

The biggest one: Marché Bastille

Photo sourced from Wikimedia Commons

Next up on our list of top food markets in Paris is the Marché Bastille. Just next to the Bastille monument, Marché Bastille is always busy and has a great selection. This was the first market I discovered in Paris, and four years later I still think it’s the best one! Florists, butchers, cheese shops (read about French cheese), fishmongers and newsstands are all part of the lively Bastille market. There are plenty of options to choose from, whether you’re grocery shopping or want to grab a bite to eat, Marché Bastille has you covered.

The best time to visit this market is in the early morning (around 8 A.M.), vendors are just getting set up, so you’ll find the freshest products. This market is only open on Thursdays and Sundays, but the wide selection can’t be beat!

practical information:
Marché Bastille – 8 Boulevard Richard Lenoir, 75011 Paris
metro station: bastille
opening hours: thursday and sunday 7AM//3PM

The most traditional one: Marché Mouffetard

Photo sourced from WIkimedia Commons

The next market in our top food markets in Paris is one of the oldest and most traditional. Set in a an ancient square just off the adorable Rue Mouffetard, this market is typically Parisian. Locals love this market for its array of fresh produce, fish, meats and French specialties like charcuterie and cheese.

The Marché Mouffetard is located in the historic Latin Quarter of Paris (we run a free walking tour in this neighborhood), within walking distance of monuments like the Pantheon and Notre Dame Cathedral. I love to visit this market in the early afternoon to grab a picnic lunch to enjoy at the nearby Jardin du Luxembourg (Discover our picnic ideas in Paris).

practical information:
Marché Mouffetard – 139 Rue Mouffetard, 75005 paris
metro station: censier-daubenton
opening hours: tuesday – sunday 8AM//1PM

The beautiful one: Marché President Wilson

By Dane Deaner on Unsplash

If you want to do your grocery shopping with a view of the Eiffel Tower, head to the marché President Wilson. Situated in Paris’ 16th arrondissement, this food market is full of variety and offers a stunning view of the Iron Lady. Hard to beat that kind of shopping experience. After doing your shopping, you can head across the street to enjoy an uninterrupted view. Maybe even a picnic!

Marché President Wilson is stocked full of stands hawking everything from fish to flowers to delightful Lebanese street food. Blending in perfectly with its surroundings, this market is very aesthetically pleasing. Products are stacked perfectly, produce looks incredible fresh and the delightful scents of French baking – well, you’ll just have to experience it for yourself!

There are lots of organic stands as well as traditional ones, and you can even find non-food items like sweaters and scarves and even things like homemade candles and leather-bound journals. There’s a little something for everyone to enjoy, and plenty of takeaway options. So I think it’s best to arrive hungry!

practical information:
marché president wilson – avenue du president wilson 75016 paris
metro station: iéna
opening hours: wednesday and saturday 7AM//2:30PM

The chill one: Marché Bio Batignolles

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

The last market on my guide to the top food markets in Paris is the organic Marché Bio Batignolles. Tucked away in the quiet 17th arrondissement, the Marché Bio Batignolles is reminiscent of a hometown farmer’s market. In French, bio means organic, a movement which has gained a lot of traction in Paris lately.

Focusing on all organic products, this market is smaller than other food markets in Paris and give you a chance to chat with the producers and farmers about their products. You can find everything from organic meats and cheeses to produce, dairy and even honey. Open on Saturdays, this market is the perfect destination for a laid-back Saturday in Paris. Close to the Parc Monceau, the quiet Square des Batignolles and Montmartre, it’s the perfect jumping off point for a day of Paris exploration.

If you feel like discovering the quaint Montmartre district, with monuments like the Sacré-Coeur and the Moulin Rouge, come join our free walking tour of Montmartre!   The market is only a 15-20 minute walk from the start of the tour, and our local guides can share with you all the best places in Montmartre.

practical information:
Marché Bio Batignolles – 34 Boulevard des Batignolles, 75017 Paris
metro station: rome or villiers
opening hours: saturday 8AM//1:30PM

 

You now know our picks for the top 5 food markets in Paris! I hope that you’ve found this guide helpful, and that you’ll love discovering all the goodies Parisian food markets have to offer (read this article to learn more about some of the stranger things French people eat!). If you have any questions or would like more information about anything, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

See you soon in Paris!