On our small group tours to Paris, we always like to visit an authentic Paris market.  Here are 5 of The Traveling Professor's favorite Paris markets:

Marché Raspail.  Rue Cherche Midi/Rue de Rennes in the 6th.  Rennes or Babylone métro station.  It’s an organic food market on Sunday from 9 to 3.  On Tuesday and Fridays from 7 to 2:30 it offers a wider variety of products.   It’s easy to get to, the vendors are friendly and I have found items other than foods such as wicker baskets and flowers.   Consider filling up at an ATM and taking the short walk to La Grande Épicerie at Bon Marché, part of the famous department store (not open Sunday), a gourmand’s paradise. 

Marché Président Wilson.  Every Saturday I take the #63 bus and get off the first stop after crossing over from the left to the right bank. It takes me about 40 minutes to stroll this market from bottom to top. This market has great diversity in that shoppers will see food, flowers, clothes and accessories.  It's the perfect place to find that one souvenir that everyone loves to bring home. And after your done with the market, it is an easy walk over to the Trocadero and the Eiffel Tower.  Open Saturday mornings.

Marché Montorgeuil.  Rue Montorgeuil in the 2nd.  Located near the Les Halles métro, this one is from the good old days.  I like to go here to taste, touch and smell, then sit down at one of the many restaurants serving fresh dishes with market ingredients.  Open Tuesday and Sunday until 6 p.m.

Marché Mouffetard.  Some people like this enchanting market best of all, located in one of the most charming sections of the city.  It is crowded with cafés and bars. Some people think Marché Mouffetard is everything Paris should be.  Merchants offer local products and items from all over the world.  Even when the market is not open “rue Mouff” is busy with interesting boutiques, restaurants, and shops.  It’s open all week except Sunday afternoons and Monday. Métro: Place Monge or Censier-Daubenton.

Marché Bastille.  The diversity of this market at one of the crossroads of the city makes it so interesting.  I’ve sampled Lebanese, African, Mid Eastern, and Asian alongside a bounty of local offerings.  Open Thursdays and Sunday until about 2 p.m.  Métro: République.

Join The Professor on a small group tour to Paris.