Here is a guest post about some great Parisian markets. Enjoy!
One of my favourite things to do when I visit a new city is to hit the shops - not the standard high-street fare, but the quirky and unusual stores or markets you accidentally stumble across.
Paris has to be one of the world's best destinations for a spot of retail therapy and if, like me, you prefer to seek out shopping opportunities with a local flavour, head to some of the city's markets for a quintessentially French experience.
Here are just five places you'll easily be able to visit from cheap hotels in Paris, especially if you're close to the centre of the capital.
Marche bio des Batignolles
The French are renowned for their love of food, so mingle with the locals at one of the city's top food markets - Marche bio des Batignolles. You'll find it on the Terre-plein boulevard des Batignolles every Saturday and it's an excellent place to sample delicious French produce. Everything from cheese and olive oil to fruit, veg and soap is on sale here, so be prepared for an assault on your senses! One of the best things about it is that all the food is 100 per cent organic, too.
Marche aux Fleurs et aux Oiseaux
This is likely to be the most unusual market you'll come across during your time in Paris. Although the flower market is open all week on Place Louis-Lepine in Ile de la Cite, Sunday is the best time to visit as this is when the bird market makes an appearance.
Yes, that's right, a market dedicated to birds. You'll see all manner of exotic species chirping away in their cages as you wander among the stalls, while there's a dizzying array of blooms and plants available at the flower market.
Even if you don't buy anything (after all, a canary would be a little tricky to take home on a plane), it's worth having a wander just for the experience. Head down early on a Sunday morning if you want to avoid the large crowds.
Marche de la Creation de Paris Montparnasse
Paris plays home to numerous art markets each week, but one of the best has to be Marche de la Creation de Paris Montparnasse. Located near the Edgar Quinet Metro station, this Sunday market prides itself on the originality of all the works on show.
Only the artists are allowed to sell their pieces - you can't have a stall if you're a re-seller - and everything has to be signed. It's a got a lovely atmosphere and it's a great way to add a personal touch to buying artwork, as you can chat to the stallholders as you browse.
It's not limited to paintings, with sculptures, ceramics, jewellery, photos and all manner of other creative pieces available.
Marche de la Creation Paris Bastille
If art is something of a passion of yours, make sure you also plan a visit to the Marche de la Creation Paris Bastille, which is the largest weekly art market to be held in the centre of the French capital.
There are more than 350 stalls on Boulevard Richard Lenoir every Saturday, so you really will have your work cut out for you if you want to see them all! I find this is a great place to window shop, as it's just like walking through a giant open-air art gallery!
Marche aux puces de la portes de Vanves
There's nothing more satisfying than getting home with the bargain of the century and if you pay a visit to Marche aux puces de la portes de Vanves on Avenue Georges Lafenestre and Avenue Marc Sangnier, that might just be what you come away with!
This is the only second-hand and antiquarian market in central Paris and it's open every Saturday and Sunday with close to 400 vendors vying for your attention.
Whether you like quirky, antique or just cheap and cheerful, you'll find something on one of the stalls. Products are as varied as 19th-century furniture, gramophones, second-hand clothes, jewelry and military memorabilia.
In addition to my Eye Prefer Paris Tours, we now offer Eye Prefer New York Tours, 3-hour walking tours of New York's best neighborhoods including Soho, Meatpacking/West Village & Tribeca. Tours cost $195 for up to 3 people and $65 for each additional person.Come take a bit of the Big Apple on an Eye Prefer New York Tour!
Come experience my blog ìliveî with my Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I lead. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.Tours cost 195 euros for up to 3 people, and 65 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris. www.eyepreferparistours.com
New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotteís professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
Thank you for the great tips!
Posted by: connie | March 17, 2012 at 08:12 AM
"One of the best things about it is that all the food is 100 per cent organic, too"...Is that true?
Posted by: Rob | July 25, 2012 at 01:45 PM