No visit to the French capital is complete without a trip to one of its markets. Walking the streets of the city to do some retail therapy is one of the top activities.
The sprawling street markets in Paris will give you an oddly satisfying experience as you get to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the busy flea markets.
Whether you are looking for specific souvenir-worthy goods or you simply want to see all the amazing French things you can find, you are in for a treat!
It’s all fair game when you’re in the City of Love, but I put together a list of the best Paris markets you just can’t miss.
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Saint Ouen Flea Market (Les Puces de Saint-Ouen)
The Saint Ouen Flea Market is one of the largest and best flea markets in Paris. This is the best place to go for a fun-filled weekend in the city, located in Northern Paris.
You can find an assortment of items here including antique jewelry, vintage clothes, old books and records, furniture, and more. It’s a favorite spot to shop for both fashionista hipsters and passionate antique traders.
You can take the metro Porte de Clignancourt-line 4 if you wanna get there. There are also numerous bus services that link this route to the center of Paris.
As an alternative, you can also visit the Les Puces de Vanves where you can find general collectibles along with some one-off pieces and memorabilia.
Or, better yet head to Brocante des Abbesses, a second-hand Sunday market that is the perfect stop after you’ve had your Sunday brunch.
Opening Hours: It’s open on the weekends from Saturday to Monday from 10 AM until 6 PM.
Marché des Enfants Rouges
Known as the oldest food market in Paris, the Marche des Enfants Rouges is another must-visit market in the capital. This market has been around since 1628 and is the city’s oldest covered market.
In fact, it’s such a landmark, that it was recognized as a historic monument in 1982. This food market is filled with hundreds of stalls offering fresh produce like vegetables, and small shops that serve Parisian food specialties, along with other culinary options.
There are two subway options to get here: Filles du Calvaire (line 8) or Arts et Metiers (line 3).
Opening Hours: The Marche des Enfants Rouges market is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays from 8:30 AM to 8.30 PM, and on Sundays from 8:30 PM to 5 PM.
A good alternative if you can’t get to this market is the Marche Saint-Martin, another covered market specializing in food and fresh produce.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 9 AM to 8 PM, and Sunday from 9 AM to 2 PM.
Marché Bastille
The Marche Bastille is another food market worth visiting and you’ll be spoiled for choice given that there are hundreds of stalls to choose from.
The Place de la Bastille’s Colonne de Juliet provides a wonderful backdrop for this market. Among the items you can find here are local cheeses, olives, fruits, vegetables, seafood, chicken, and more. You can also find a few shops that sell goods like jewelry and bags.
Since the Marche Bastille is open only twice a week, a good alternative when it’s not open during your visit is the Marche International de Rungis which is frequented by locals and tourists alike for the food and horticultural products. It’s considered the world’s largest wholesale market!
Opening Hours: Thursdays and Sundays from 7 AM to 2:30 PM.
Marché de Belleville
Marche de Belleville is a local favorite and one of Paris’ best markets, so it’s a must-visit when you’re in the city. This open-air market is appreciated for its multiculturalism as you can find North African, Chinese, and other ethnic goods.
This is the best market in Paris if you want to find exotic fruits and vegetables.
This ethnic market has been around since 1860 and you can visit it on Tuesdays and Fridays from 7 AM to 2:30 PM. To get here, you can take Line 11 or 2 of the metro. You can also take bus routes 46 and 96!
If Marche de Belleville happens to be closed during your visit, a good alternative is Marche Barbes. It’s another outdoor market in Paris that specializes in ethnic goods and is on Boulevard de la Chapelle.
Opening Hours: Wednesday and Saturday from 7 AM to 2 PM.
Marché Bio de Batignolles
If you’re in search of organic goods in Paris, Marche Bio de Batignolles is a good market to go to.
You’ll discover it’s filled with stalls from farmers selling organic fruits and vegetables, along with cheeses, meats, and other organic goods.
This market is extremely popular with locals and the seasonal fruits and vegetables serve as the main draw. It’s also the first organic market to be established in Paris! To get here, you can take the metro at Place de Cichy.
Since the Marché de Batignolles is open only on Saturdays, here’s an option among the Paris markets open on Sundays: Marche Raspail. This organic market is in the 6th arrondissement of Paris and comes with up to 150 stalls to choose from for organic finds.
Opening Hours: Saturdays from 7 AM to 3 PM.
Marché Brassens
If you consider yourself a bookworm, there’s only one market to go: Marche Brassens. This amazing weekend market in Paris (104 Rue Brancion) is the best place to look for old and second-hand books.
Marché Brassens is built within a 19th-century pavilion where you could spend hours looking for unique and rare book finds.
Of course, most of the books are in French and you can find paperback items for 1 Euro, as well as a few coveted collector’s pieces.
Opening Hours: Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 6 PM.
Marché de la Rue Mouffetard
This is another one of the best food markets in Paris to hunt down when in the city. This market is in Marche de la Rue Mouffetard.
This bustling market it features tons of fresh produce from local farmers giving the city dwellers access to fresh fruits and vegetables, among other fresh goods.
Aside from the food available in this market, it’s popular because you’ll find it within the Latin Quarter where there are many notable tourist attractions and landmarks to check out nearby.
This market is busiest during the weekend when the locals come to shop. And if you’re interested in checking it out, the closest metro to get here is Censier – Daubenton. You can also take the bus route 47.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 8 AM to 1 PM.
Marché Saint-Quentin
For the food lovers, Marche Saint-Quentin is a must when in Paris. You’ll find this food market on 85B Boulevard de Magenta. It’s a delightful treat for your taste buds!
This market really has everything you could imagine: food stalls selling all kinds of food from various cuisines. There are also other businesses such as cafeteria, florist, and clothing alteration stand in the market.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 8 AM to 8 PM, and Sunday from 8 AM to 1:30 PM.
Marché aux Fleurs et aux Oiseaux
The Marché aux Fleurs et aux Oiseaux is an interesting market to visit in Paris because it’s filled with all the kinds of flowers you could imagine.
People know it as the flowers and birds market, and here you’ll find all colors and species of flowers and birds in one area. It’s a paradise for floral and bird lovers!
This flower market has been around since 1808 and it’s close to many hotels, restaurants, and other attractions.
Opening Hours: Daily from 10 AM to 6 PM.
Marché d’Aligre (also called Beauvau market)
Marche d’Aligre or Beauvau Market is a lively venue in the 12th arrondissement that has been around since the 18th century.
There’s an indoor section but the outdoor Parisian market has more of an authentic vibe to it. Here you’ll find bakeries serving up freshly baked pastries and breads, some cozy bars inside the market, and other Parisian-style bistros to drink up your favorite wine and Parisian treats.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday from 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM.
Marché Saxe-Breteuil
Right behind the UNESCO headquarters, the Marche Saxe-Breteuil is one of the most popular food markets.
I assure you’ll be delighted to stroll around the market stalls that sell incredible produce, such as fish, flowers, fruits, and vegetables. The most unique aspect that makes this market very popular is that you get to enjoy a view of the Eiffel Tower from there.
This open-air market has a charm of its own with artfully designed stalls. Aside from the fresh produce and items you can buy here, you’ll find prepared foods you can enjoy to fuel your day of shopping too.
Opening Hours: Thursday from 7 AM to 2:30 PM and Saturday from 7 AM to 3 PM.
Marché Dejean
Marche Dejean is another go-to area for tourists visiting Paris and for those who are into shopping. Considered as the best place to buy manioc or tilapia, this market specializes in West African goods (as this is the heart of the West African community in Paris).
You can find halal food stalls, butcher shops, cafes, and other shops that sell exotic flavors and smells in this Paris street market. To get here, you can take the Chateau Rouge metro.
Opening Hours: The market is open daily from 9 AM to 9 PM (except Friday when it closes at 1:45 PM and resumes operation at 2:45 PM).
Marché President Wilson
Known as the largest open-air market in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, the Marche President Wilson is a local favorite, especially for those seeking gourmet food finds. This market is filled with epicurean delights where discerning foodies and top chefs come together.
This market is right in front of Palais de Tokyo and spans almost the entire length of the Avenue President-Wilson (which is why it’s named as such). You simply can’t leave Paris without a sampling of these epicurean bites to delight your taste buds!
To get here, take the metro to Iena.
Opening Hours: This market is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7 AM to 2:30 PM (or up to 3 PM on Saturdays).
Marché de Saint-Pierre
To complete your shopping adventure in Paris, you can head to Marche de Saint-Pierre.
It’s in the northern portion of Paris and is well-known among Parisians for having the largest collection of fabric stores in the city. Here, you’ll find all kinds of fabric materials, patterns, and colors. You can even find stalls from flagship brands!
It’s a haven for DIY-ers or creative types as you can find every material you can possibly work with.
Opening Hours: The market opens from Mondays to Saturdays from 10 AM to 6:30 PM, and until 7 PM on Saturdays.
