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8 famous outdoor markets in Paris from food to antiques

Markets still thrive in Paris though they face competition from modern stores. After all, Parisians have been shopping at the markets for centuries. For visitors, markets are more than just about shopping. They are a great way to experience a slice of Parisian life.

There are markets all over the city’s 20 districts or arrondissements. All in all, there are over 80 outdoor markets in Paris. And a visit to the city wouldn’t be complete without immersing yourself in at least one. You’ll find a wide range from food to antiques and everything in between, with some having been around for centuries.

There’s a plethora of markets to explore. But you want to visit the best to make the most of your trip. To give you a start, these are among the 8 best street markets to visit in Paris. Even if your visit is for the experience and not to buy, it’s hard to resist making a few purchases here and there.

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Marché Bastille

• Location: Boulevard Richard Lenoir, 11th arrondissement
• Metro station: Bréguet-Sabin (Line 5)

Marché Bastille (Bastille Market) is well-known in Paris. Situated on the edge of the city centre, it’s within easy reach for tourists staying in the city’s central area. Nearby is the large square of Place de la Bastille, where the Bastille prison once stood during the French Revolution. Also nearby is Opéra Bastille, a famous modern opera house.

Marché Bastille is one of the biggest outdoor food markets in Paris, with more than 150 stalls. Business days are Thursdays and Sundays from 7 AM to 3 PM. Many Parisians come here to brim their shopping bags with groceries. It’s not only Parisians but tourists as well. But most come here out of curiosity than to buy groceries.

There are varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables and many are direct from the farms in the region. But there are also imports of exotic fruits like pineapples, bananas and mangoes. Prices here are fair considering the high quality. And just before closing, many traders reduce the prices to clear their remaining stocks.

If staying in Paris with a kitchen, there are stalls selling raw meat and fresh poultry. Not to mention fresh seafood stacked on ice like shellfish, crabs, squids and octopus. There are also vendors offering charcuterie or cured meat in various cuts and cures including terrine, mousse, boudin and rillettes.

There are also piles of fresh baguettes, local cheeses, yoghurts, preserves and sauces. What’s more, there are tasty ready-to-eat meals like falafel, sandwiches, wraps, paella and roasted chicken. Also try the pastries, crepes or galettes. To wash it down, there are lovely homemade fruit juices like orange, tamarind and pineapple.

There are non-food items as well. You’ll find stalls selling loads of cheap clothes for everyday wear like sweaters, shirts and blouses. If that’s not enough, there are also scarves, hats, pillowcases, bags, wallets, sandals and even flowers. For treasure hunters looking for bargains, there are packs of cheap jewellery and trinkets.

Check out hotels near the market in the 11th arrondissement – a homey location offering budget to cheaper 4-star hotels.

Marché Raspail

• Location: Boulevard Raspail, 6th arrondissement
• Metro station: Rennes (Line 12), St-Placid (Line 4)

Marché Raspail (Raspail Market) is on Boulevard Raspail. Nearby is Jardin du Luxembourg, one of the most beautiful parks in Paris. Another nearby landmark is Le Bon Marché, a famous top-end department store and the oldest in the city. And also not far off from the famous shopping street of Boulevard St-Germain.

The market is easy to reach on the Metro and a short walk from Rennes Metro and St-Placid Stations. The regular market has been here since 1920. Like Marché Bastille, Marché Raspail is one of the largest food markets in Paris. Both have more or less the same number of stalls. around 150.

On Tuesdays and Fridays, it’s a regular food market from 7:00 AM to 2:30 PM and you can expect around 150 stalls. On Sundays, it’s an organic food market from 9 AM to 3 PM with nearly 50 stalls. If you can’t come to Marché Bastille on Thursday or Sunday, then come to Marché Raspail on Tuesday or Friday.

The regular market at Marché Raspail is less hectic compared to Marché Bastille. But still lively and you’ll find varieties of fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry and seafood. Many are locally sourced but there are imports as well. Besides food, some stalls sell non-food items like clothes and bags at bargain prices.

The Sunday market for organic foods began in 1989. The stalls are by different vendors who focus on “biologique” or organic foods. As a matter of fact, this is one of the best street markets in Paris for organic foods. They carry the European Union’s “leaf” or French “Agriculture Biologique” label certifying the foods are organic.

Even if not buying groceries, there’s a wonderful selection of ready-to-eat foods. Try the lovely homemade pastries, muffins, meat pies or crusty galettes. The French potato fritters are awesome. The fresh breads including baguettes are wonderful. There are also mountains of cheese and varieties of preserves and jams.

Check out hotels near the market in the 6th arrondissement – home to trendy shops and nostalgic eateries.

Marché Biologique des Batignolles

• Location: Boulevard des Batignolles, 17th arrondissement
• Metro station: Rome (Line 2), Place de Clichy (Lines 2, 13), Villiers (Line 3)

Marché Biologique des Batignolles (Batignolles Organic Market) is another market for organic foods. It’s outside the city centre but you can easily get here on the Metro. Don’t confuse this place with Le Marché Couvert Batignolles on Rue Lemercier, also in the 17th arrondissement. It’s a different place and doesn’t sell organic foods.

Like Marché Raspail, this is another popular open-air market in Paris for organic foods. There are 50 or so stalls and opens on Saturdays from 9 AM to 3 PM. But many start to close from 2 PM as the stalls begin to finish their stocks. The best time to come is between 9 AM and 12 PM for the best choices.

Many of the vendors here are the same traders selling organic foods at Marché Raspail. It’s popular with the local residents, who come here searching for good quality organic foods. Foods are fresh, most sourced from the region and across France. There are some imports as well including exotic fruits.

As always the case, organic foods cost more than the “non-organic” variety. That said, prices here are fair considering what you get. And you can easily brim your shopping bag with €20 of seasonal produce. But keep an eye on exotic and out-of-season produce. Being organic, they are terribly expensive.

There’s always a great choice of groceries, depending on the season of course. Foods include fresh tomatoes, artichokes, turnips, bell peppers, mushrooms and asparagus. Premium fruits include pineapples, watermelons and mangoes. Fresh poultry is from free-range chicken. If you prefer cooked, buy the spit-roasted (rotisserie) chicken.

There are varieties of local cheeses like Camembert and Pont l’Évêque. You can even buy goat cheese and fresh milk brought direct from the farm. Other organic foods to brim the shopping bag include dried pasta, jams, preserves, hummus, pickles and olive oil. And there are freshly baked bread, lovely pastries and French potato pancakes.

Check out hotels near the market in Batignolles – a great location if you prefer to stay in an unhurried part of Paris.

Marché d’Aligre

• Location: Rue d’Aligre, 12th arrondissement
• Metro station: Ledru-Rollin (Line 8)

Marché d’Aligre ( Aligre Market) goes back to the late 18th century. It’s best known for foods but there are non-food items as well. The place is right in front of Place d’Aligre (a square) and includes an outdoor street section and the indoor Marché Beauvau. From Ledru-Rollin Metro Station, it’s a 5 minutes walk to Marché d’Aligre.

Come any day except Mondays when it closes for the week. Both the outdoor and indoor sections are open from around 8 AM to 2 PM. The latter opens again from 4 PM to 7 PM except Sundays. Weekends are always the busiest. Come on the weekdays then if you prefer a smaller crowd.

There are more than 100 stalls and booths. Makeshift stalls pack side by side on both sides of the street in the outdoor section. The indoor Marché Beauvau goes back to 1843 and is preserved as a historic building. Walk inside and you’ll see a charming hall occupied by permanent booths.

The outdoor street stretch is only 100 metres (110 yards) long but has a lovely mix of stalls. You’ll see loads of fresh fruits and vegetables. Green zucchinis, red peppers, cherry tomatoes, melons, asparagus, pineapples and varieties of herbs to name a few. The seasonal produce is the cheapest and offers the best value.

Most of the outdoor section is about fresh produce but there are non-food items as well. You can stalls selling varieties of colourful flowers and small potted plants. There’s also a small section devoted to a flea market. Here you can find clothes, broaches, kitchen items, antiques, paintings and all sorts of quirky stuff.

At the indoor Marché Beauvau, there are 10 or so booths catering to finer foods. You’ll find pricier cuts of meat, seafood and an array of gourmet foods. There’s a tasty assortment of artisanal cheeses such as Reblochon, Comte and Roquefort made from sheep milk. Not to mention fresh bread, pastries, sauces, jams and preserves.

Surrounding Marché d’Aligre is a host of shops, quaint cafés and restaurants. Though not part of the market, they are part of the scene. Take the time to explore the area and maybe relax at one of the cafés. Don’t miss Boulangerie Julien, a well-known shop famous for its artisanal pastries. Outdoor seating is available if you can’t wait to try it.

Check out hotels near the market in the 12th arrondissement – a friendly residential area offering budget to cheaper 4-star hotels.

Marché aux Fleurs

• Location: Île de la Cité, 4th arrondissement
• Metro station: Cité (Line 4)

Marché aux Fleurs (Flower Market) is the most well-known market in Paris for cut flowers and ornamental plants. It’s on the small island of Île de la Cité (City Island) on the River Seine. This is the island where you’ll also find the famous 14th-century Notre Dame Cathedral and 13th-century Sainte-Chapelle.

The flower market on Île de la Cité has been around since 1808 and shouldn’t be hard to find. The place is right in front of Cité Metro Station. It’s a long narrow covered walkway crammed with stalls and has been in the same spot since the early 19th century. Business days are from Monday to Saturday, from around 9 AM until 7 PM.

There are other flower markets in Paris but the one here on Île de la Cité is certainly the best. Besides, it’s right in the heart of the city centre and easy to reach. After visiting the major sights on Île de la Cité, make a trip to the flower market. Visitors are always welcome and you don’t have to buy.

Marché aux Fleurs is a beautiful scene of flowers in all colours, shapes and sizes. The seasonal blooms of roses, peonies, lilac, tulips, irises, azaleas and dahlias are lovely sights to admire. What’s more are the rare and exotic plants such as orchids, spiny cactuses, ferns and other flora from the tropics.

Parisians come here to buy flowers for their homes and potted plants for their balconies and gardens. Tourists are unlikely to buy though. But there are small items that you could pack into your luggage. Items to look for include lavender sachets (a natural alternative to mothballs), garden deco, scented soap and souvenir cups.

Check out hotels near the market on Île de la Cité – no hotels on the island but there are nearby and a short walk across the bridges.

Marché de la Création Bastille

• Location: Boulevard Richard Lenoir, 11th arrondissement
• Metro station: Bréguet-Sabin (Line 5)

On Saturdays, the food market of Marché Bastille turns into Marché de la Création Bastille (Bastille Creative Market). This outdoor market in the city is the largest for arts and crafts, where local artists and artisans display their talents. The atmosphere is informal and you don’t have to buy. So feel free to wander.

This Saturday market opens from 10 AM to 7 PM. With over 200 booths, there’s an endless display of arts and crafts in various forms and styles. There are wonderful paintings, watercolours, drawings and prints put on view for sale. Not to mention marvellous displays of print and ceramic art.

Paintings here are mostly contemporary art namely portraits, landscapes, symbolic and abstract. They are in various sizes and some are small enough to fit into your luggage to take back home. Prints include etchings, screen-prints and lithography. You’ll even find ceramic jewellery such as necklaces, earrings and pendants.

The displays are by talents from various art schools in Paris. The artists are friendly and more than willing to explain their works to visitors. That’s if you speak French or they speak your language. If not, they’ll try their best to get the message across. One thing is for sure, you’re buying directly from the artist.

The quality is high and prices are at a fraction of what you’d pay at an art gallery. But watch out, some are overpriced for what they are worth. There are more than 200 booths to explore, so scout around before purchasing. If buying two or more high-value items, you can always bargain for less.

Check out hotels near the market in the 11th arrondissement – a quiet residential area with a mix of budget to cheaper 4-star hotels.

Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen

• Location: St-Ouen
• Metro station: Porte de Clignancourt (Line 4), Garibaldi (Line 13)

Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen (St. Ouen Flea Market) is located northern suburb of St-Ouen. It’s the largest flea market in Paris but actually a network of 12 markets. All in all, there are more than 2,500 dealers operating from stalls and shops that spill from the markets into the nearby streets. 

The history of this flea market goes back to the 1880s. Waste pickers then would scour Paris for old objects to resell. In due course, they were driven out and many settled outside the city limits in St-Ouen. Over time, the suburb became a popular place for buying old items. Today, nearly 6 million visitors come to St-Ouen each year.

Marché aux Puces opens to visitors from Friday to Monday. You can even visit on public holidays except for 1st January, 1st May and 25th December. Though officially open from 1st to 15th August, many vendors close and take off for the summer holidays. Planning to come? Here are the opening hours.

• Fridays – 8 AM to 12 PM
• Saturdays and Sundays – 10 AM to 6 PM
• Mondays – 11 AM to 5 PM

You’ll find all kinds of items sought by collectors. And some go back a couple of centuries. There are museum-quality paintings, sculptures, furniture, old weapons and antique clocks. You can also find vintage clothes, bags, old books, posters, chinaware, glassware, jewellery and rare watches to name a few.

The 12 markets are clustered into a 7-hectare (17 acres) site. Out of the 12, Marché L’Usine and Marché Lécuyer are only for professional dealers who buy in large volumes. The other 10 are open to all visitors. Here’s a brief description.

• Malassis, Rue des Rosiers – Around 100 dealers offering mostly items from the 1930s to 1970s. Retro items include furniture, sculptures, glassware, jewellery, bronze, fashion and Asian artefacts.

• Cambo, Rue des Rosiers – A small market with 20 dealers on 2 floors. Small but packed with furniture, paintings, musical instruments, old weapons and decorative objects from the 18th to 20th centuries.

• Biron, Rue des Rosiers – Home to more than 200 antique and art dealers. Offers 17th-century furniture as well as high-quality art, decorative objects and jewellery from the 18th to 20th century.

• Antica, Rue des Rosiers – The smallest of the flea markets with just over 10 dealers. Offers home accessories such as curtains and carpets as well as art and jewellery from the 18th and 19th centuries.

• Vernaison, Rue des Rosiers – A huge place with over 300 dealers. There’s a wide range from the 18th to 20th century including furniture, tableware, home fixtures, clocks, watches, clothes and posters.

• Le Passage, Rue Jules-Vallès – Relatively a new place. Mostly 20th-century pieces including books, clothes, home accessories, tables, chairs, garden furniture, paintings and military collectables.

• Paul Bert-Serpette, Rue des Rosiers – The largest of them all with more than 400 dealers. Offers high-end items including furniture, paintings, jewellery, furniture, silverware, crystals and rare antiques.

Prices range from €1 for cheap trinkets to €20,000 for a 19th-century oil painting. You can bargain if the amount is big. Discounts can go up to 20 per cent but 10 per cent is usually a good deal. It’s a futile effort though trying to bargain for a small amount. Even if you could, the money saved won’t buy you a cup of coffee.

Visit Marché Malik on Rue Jules-Vallès. The market began in 1942 with an Albanian merchant selling used clothes. Now it’s new clothes for young hipsters. And a plethora of 200 stalls selling from trendy sportswear to chic clothes. Prices here are not bad, much cheaper than in downtown Paris.

Check out hotels near the market in St-Ouen – a residential location with hotels at budget-friendly prices.

Marché aux Puces de Vanves

• Location: Ave. Marc Sangnier and Ave. Georges Lafenestre, 14th arrondissement
• Metro station: Porte de Vanves (Line 13)

Marché aux Puces de Vanves (Vanves Flea Market) is an outdoor flea market in Paris. Tucked in a quiet corner of the city, it’s a relaxed alternative compared to the hustle and bustle of Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen. Besides, you can find smaller items here that you can easily put into your luggage and carry back home.

The market is where Avenue Marc Sangnier and Avenue Georges Lafenestre meet. There are nearly 400 stalls, most on Avenue Marc Sangnier and around 30 on Avenue Georges Lafenestre. Business days are Saturdays and Sundays from 7 AM to 2 PM. There are a couple of food stands for a quick breakfast if you come early.

From the plethora of stalls, there’s an unimaginable variety of items to scour through. So enjoy your time wandering and browsing. Unlike the flea market at St. Ouen, most items here are from the 20th and 21st centuries. That said, it’s not unusual to find some old treasures if you keep a sharp eye.

You can find all kinds of items from the yesteryears. There are treasure troves of vintage clothes, linen, silverware, glassware, crockery, bronze objects and home deco. Other treasures include an assortment of costume jewellery, old clocks, cameras, radios, vinyl records, coins, stamps and military medals.

For art lovers, there’s a large selection of paintings, drawings, engravings, prints and ceramics. You can even find Asian and African arts and crafts. There are old photographs and postcards for nostalgia. For books, there’s a wide range from French classics to fantasy. There are also troves of trinkets and quirky curiosities.

Prices here are fair. As a matter of fact, items at Marché aux Puces de Vanves are typically cheaper than at St. Ouen. Bring enough cash in hand. It’s the only payment the vendors will accept. Yes, you can negotiate the price down if you buy a reasonable amount. Consider paying 10-20 per cent less a good deal.

Check out hotels near the market in the 14th arrondissement – a pleasant area with a range of budget-friendly hotels.