Paris ~ Farmers Markets
Thanks for your sweet comments on the Paris posts. You've motivated me to carry on and I hope you continue to enjoy the adventure via the comfort of your home or even better, that it might possibly encourage you to make plans to travel to the far away places of your dreams.
Today I'm going to share two of our favorite farmers markets. They have a few similarities but are also very different. The first is the Sunday market on Rue Cler. This charming cobblestone pedestrian street is lined with adorable shops, boulangeries, cafes, markets and food purveyors of all sorts of delicacies.
To sum it up…come hungry.
This is where I met a lovely elderly woman (probably in her 70's) dressed in her Sunday finest including a pristine mink coat. She was directing me as to where to get a delicious brunch speaking only French. It played out like a scene from a movie…only it was real. I wish I had taken her photo because she was BEAUTIFUL.
We stopped at the place she recommended, Cafe Du Marche and had delicious omelets and croissants followed by large cups of cafe creme. Yum.
Afterwards, we shopped the markets, picked up a few pastries for later and watched all the lovely French families doing the exact same thing.
Our other favorite was the Raspail Organic Marketlocated between rue de Cherche Midi and rue de Rennes. This is more of an authentic farmers market with the vendors set up under tents lining the street. The Barefoot Contessa shops this market although we didn't bump into her. You can find the best organic produce here. Amazing pears, apples, plums, figs, carrots…such luscious fruits and veggies!
Here is where I fell victim to peer pressure from an adorable French farmer and tried the goose pate…definitely NOT my thing. But the duck was very good and I brought a jar home for The Man. I also bought a set of 12 horn spoons and a few serving pieces from another vendor and I was tempted by the wonderful market baskets in every color in the rainbow.
Looking back through my photos I can see how I was easily enamoured with so many ordinary and utilitarian things like the fruit crates all piled up. I thought they were kind of pretty with their French words and colorful graphics. And I was even charmed by the waxed paper produce bags because it's no secret that I'm such a sucker for cute packaging. As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Or in my case, the camera lens.
25 Responses to “Paris ~ Farmers Markets”
Okay Heather, this is so funny. See that awning on the right side of your first picture? That was the Hotel Leveque that I mentioned we stayed at. I so love these pictures and getting to see day to day life in Paris is the best. One of my favorite memories is trying to have a conversation with some French school kids while waiting for the grocery store to open. It was quite amusing as my French is not great. Loved seeing all the parents walking their kids to school. We had breakfast a couple times just down the street at the Brasserie PTT and sat for awhile at a table outside at the Cafe de Marche soaking up the atmosphere. Sorry I’m rambling, but you are just bringing back such sweet memories.
Oh my gosh – you have SO made me want to add France to my bucket list. I was there many, many years ago, but want to see it now with real grown-up eyes. Your photos are inspirational and I’m so thoroughly enjoying them and your posts. Thank you for sharing!
Can’t wait to go back in May. I lived in Paris for 2 years in my twenties…thank you for refreshing many sweet memories!
xo
Pam
one day my Sweet Man and I will make this trip…someday
Looking back through some of your post, I am inspired by your photos, they are so beautiful and enchanting. Luckily I will be traveling soon, to West Africa, because your images are giving me the traveling bug.
This is so cool…I shared the link on my Facebook page…I may also have to share this on Pinterest. I lived in Germany for three years, and visited Paris ONE time..but it was on the way to another part of France. I’ve always wanted to visit this city. One of my friend’s is working as an au pair there now 🙂 🙂 Thanks for all the pics..everything looks really cool. Oh, I’m a sucker for cute packaging, too 🙂 🙂
Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California (formerly Oregon), Heather 🙂
H~ The market baskets are cheery and fun. The food looks amazing. I was listening to Norah Jones while browsing your pics and it made it all the more dreamy. Blessings, Kimberly
I am so enjoying your Paris series. I have been lucky enough to stay in an apartment just around the corner from Rue Cler, my favorite street in Paris. Well, my favorite until I think of another charming street and then that one will be my favorite. As you know it is so hard to choose just one. Keep the posts coming.
Sue
I always stay in the 7th when I go to Paris and one of my favorite places to spend time is rue Cler.
It’s especially fun when they have their antique/flea market on the weekends. Your photos captured the vitality of this wonderful street in Paris.
Meg
You take wonderful travel photos! On our trip to Paris, we stayed at a hotel around the corner from Rue Cler. It was a great location because we always had a good place to eat dinner at night.
Oh my gosh, I cannot believe you fall for packaging, too. The French must think us silly, loving even a crate with French words on it. I always get this question, why did you buy this? I turn it over to reveal the French writing, aahhh…now I get it.
Beautiful French images, so beautiful.
I understand 🙂 The French can make anything beautiful, even if it’s the basics!!!
I need to visit France again…….
Love all your photos
xo
kara
I need someone to come help me clean the drool off my keyboard!
Your pictures come alive. I would love to have Farmers Markets such as these close to me.
Right there with you about the bags and the crates…simple beauty in the basics…
I love Paris and have been lucky enough to stay there several times the past few years. Keep the Paris photos coming, I’m loving these posts!
Please turn your amazing photographs into a book so I can have a copy on my table and send myself over the moon getting lost in it every day! Seriously! I feel like I am in Paris walking the streets with you in your photos. Just extraordinary! Love the story of the elegant lady in her mink giving you directions. Priceless!
this has been so much fun reading your posts! it sounds like a beautiful place. susan
Heather, I am taking notes and keep all of this in mind for our trip next year. Keep it coming!
This is so much fun. Loving the Paris tour!
Those chairs in your first photo look a little like the ones you bought for your back porch.
Glad you and your daughter get to have this experience together.
The thing that I noticed most was the pear and apple photo. Not pristine ‘cookie-cutter’ fruit, but authentic,organic, like at Grampas’ orchard. Simply great.
Glad you and your daughter are getting to have this experience together.
The pictures of the apples and pears caught my eye. They’re not perfect ‘cookie-cutter’ fruit that we see a lot of, these look like authentic fruit from an organic orchard. Simply perfect.
Love reading about your daily adventures in Paris. Wish I was there. Great pictures…Taking notes of places to visit if I go again.
Thanks.
A beautiful trip!
I think the coloured baskets come from Madagascar, it-s not french at all… I am french, born in Madagascar, and living in France now… ans those baskets are everywhere in France, imported from the “big island”
Thanks for the sharing of all those sweety meals!
Wonderful, loved this. Wish I could reach through the screen and shop also!
What a Lovvvvvely phorographs of Paris ~ Farmers Markets. The baskets look so nice. I expect to see more photos soon from you. Thanks.
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