La vie quotidienne - Rue Cler

Les marchés de Paris

It is impossible to read a novel (or non-fiction) 

about life in Paris without observing the daily shopping.  

I think about the time I spend driving to 

the seafood market, 

the family-owned vegetable market, 

and the grocery for the other items.  

How wonderful would it be to walk down this pedestrian street, 

greeting your neighbors, while selecting all the items you need.

Rue Cler

75007, Paris

Marché d'Aligre - XVI

Marché d'Aligre

This street market in the 12ème is always full of people no matter the weather.

The sounds of the market are lively with the inflections of many languages.  It is a symphony to the ears and the colors are a painting to the eyes.

Marché d'Aligre

Place d'Aligre

Rue d'Aligre et Rue Beccaria

75012, Paris

Marché Maubert - VIII

The oldest street market in Paris, established in 1547, Marché Maubert is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.  But, do not be late as the stalls will close by 2:30 or 3, and you will not find the sumptuous stacks of artichokes, leeks, and carrots. There are stands for flowers, rugs, pashminas, fromage, fleur de sel, textiles from Provence, meats, seafood, carry out food (prête à emporter) pour manger sur le pouce. 


I have featured this marché before as it was my "neighborhood" for many trips to Paris.  I will visit my friends there very soon, to buy their produce and cheeses, and to take their photos again and to recall the snow and cold of last December and the wonderful weather of my last visit in April.  Of course, I will have some photos in my pocket...


Marché Maubert
Place Maubert
Métro Maubert-Mutualité
75005 Paris

Dimanche Matin - Rue Cler

As crowded as it is in this photo, it is likely noon or later. Rue Cler is a wonderful walking street for shopping, for un café, for brunch on a terrace, for people watching...

Sunday afternoon in the Marais

The activity and the colors in this typical street scene in the Marais is pleasing to my camera, but the blatant "Coke" display is akin to seeing the Starbucks and McD logos in Paris. As a spoiled visitor who likes to imagine that she is living in Paris, I do not want these "Americanisms" in the city I adore.

(Okay, the mini-rant is over)

Bon mardi

Marché d'Aligre -- Paris Market XI

There are many street markets in Paris but on my recent trip in December we discovered one of the livliest, Marché d'Aligre... With an abundance of produce designed to sell, there is much noise as the vendors hawk their goods, shouting in various languages about their quality all while slicing specimens of fruit with grand flourishes!

The colors were exquisite and the people-watching would have been worth buying a ticket. No billet necessary! I have many more photos to show in the weeks ahead.

Marché d'Aligre

Rue d'Aligre et Rue Beccaria

Marché rue Cler -- des legumes

Fresh fall vegetables on Rue Cler....

After a week (eating) in San Diego followed up with a week (eating) in New Orleans, I thought it would be better to go for the vegetables rather than the macarons. Okay, so I am stoic!

(but I'll be back on the pâtisseries et les macarons soon -- miam-miam!)

Marché alimentaire -- (and a petite shopper)

As we popped out of the Métro on avenue de Villiers (in the 17ième) ma fille Holly spied this little food store. As I took photos of the brightly colored produce, the little pink tricycle caught my eye. It was carefully parked alongside the store.

Within a minute, this pert little miss in a Pooh helmet and red coat exited, placed her purchases in the rear basket, and pedaled away with maman a step or two behind. When you get out of the touristy areas of Paris you will likely find many little vignettes to make you smile.