Paris Markets

I love the street markets in France, particularly those in small villages! Paris neighborhoods reflect that same atmosphere with their Paris markets. Paris has a multitude of market streets as well as open-air markets. Markets are a great place to people-watch and also good shopping stops filled with unique treasures that make memorable souvenirs and little gifts for friends back home.

The market streets have specific “market days” but on the other days of the week you will find the local shops have more or less moved the inside of their store outside to the street! Open-air markets are generally open only two days a week. Here are a few of my favorite market streets and open-air markets.

Paris Markets: Market Streets

• Rue Cler is one of those market streets that brings the inside of the stores outside. Located in the 7th arrondissement, the street is pedestrianized and you can leisurely stroll through the stalls. With green grocers, fromageries, boucheries and patisseries, you have a wide selection of picnic lunch choices for a picnic at the Eiffel Tower. No desire for a picnic, then have lunch at The Café du Marché. It is one of our favorite stops as is La Famille de Mary. This wonderful honey store is actually based in Angers, France. For more about Rue Cler follow this link.

rue Cler market street, 7th arrondissement

• Rue Montorgueil, 2nd arrondissement, is one of the oldest street markets in Paris! It’s another market street that looks to be in market mode 7 days out of 7. This is such a cool pedestrianized street. If you have rented a short term apartment in Paris and want to do some cooking, this is a nice place to go for ingredients for your home-cooked meal. La Fermette has a huge selection of cheeses (can you tell that it is the cheese and bread that are my favorites in Paris!). There is also a very nice fish monger but if you don’t want to cook, you have lots of choices of cafés and restaurants lining the street. You’re not far from the Eglise St-Eustache so be sure to have a look at this beautiful church. Just walk in the direction of the Seine and where rue Montorgueil meets rue Turbigo you will arrive at the back of the church.

rue Montorgueil market street, 2nd arrondissement

Paris Markets: open-air

• Phenomenal would be the best way to describe the Bastille market. This is not a market street. The Bastille market is an open-air market that is sometimes referred to as the Richard-Lenoir market. There are three aisles of vendor stalls here that seem to stretch on forever, but in reality it is only a couple of blocks. The market is in full swing Thursdays and Sundays. You’ll find food, clothing, brocante items (antique/bric-a-brac) and even a vendor with sea salt from Guèrande. The tree-lined street makes for a very pleasant stroll even without the market. Visit this market on Saturdays and you’ll find arts and crafts.

Bastille market (alternate name: Richard-Lenoir market)

• Another market for crafts would be the Edgar Quinet market in the 6th arrondissment. Rue Edgar Quinet is anchored by the Montparnasse Tower so this market is very close to Gare de Montparnasse. Like the Bastille market, it lines the center of the boulevard. The crafts market here is on Sundays but on Wednesdays and Saturday mornings (until about 2pm) you will find market stalls that offer something for everyone. Go to the top of the Montparnasse Tower for views of Paris or visit the Montparnasse Cemetary. Beauvoir, Baudelaire, Dreyfus, Duras, Gainsbourg, and Larousse are just a few of the notable people buried here.

• In the 3rd arrondissement, the covered market Marché des Enfants Rouges is another of my favorites. The Marché couvert des Enfants rouges is open every day except Monday. Marché couvert des Enfants, the oldest covered market in Paris, dates from the 1600s. Its name comes from the orphanage that used to occupy this location. The children were all dressed in red clothes, hence the name Enfants rouges (red children).You’ll finds lots of vendors here with “food-to-go” as well as tables where you can sit and enjoy your purchase. This market is more about the street food than fresh veggies and fruit. You’ll find it at 39 rue de Bretagne.

Marché couvert des Enfants rouges, 3rd arrondissement

Paris Markets: Map and hours

I find this page of Paris markets listed by day useful for searching for markets based on day and area. Opening/closing times are also listed.

This map pinpoints my favorite Paris markets.