French Market Guide to Produce

Markets in Paris

There are many kinds of typical French markets in Paris and around France - both open-air and covered. Not to be confused with the financial stock market at the Paris Bourse (now Euronext), even this is related to food! See my financier cakes for its history.

Our most popular, everyday markets feature fresh fruit and vegetables. Whatever in season, they come either directly from the local farmers (Maraîcher/producteur) or from merchant re-sellers via Rungis, the biggest market in France.

Markets take place at least once a week. Here in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, near Paris, it takes place three times a week! Parisian markets are to be found around all of Paris's arrondissements at different times so there's a market to be found every day of the week - see the Mairie de Paris's guide.

What is a Typical French Market?

Markets are still at the centre of food culture in France. It's where we meet to discuss the seasonal produce: from preparation, recipes and even familiar French expressions around them! 'Une grosse légume' (literally, 'a big vegetable') is slang for a big wig or VIP.

This guide is a typical local food market to show that French food is about using FRESH ingredients wherever possible. Not only is buying local more sustainable - but the flavours are better with higher vitamin content, as they haven't been in transit over a few days.

Autumn: French Fruit and Vegetables in Season

What's in season to fall into Autumn at our French markets? The following fruit and vegetables are real seasonal celebrities:

• French fruits: First crops of apples appearing and hazelnuts. Blackberries, grapes, kiwis, lemons and the last of the figs, plums and melons.
• French vegetables: aromatic herbs, artichokes, aubergine, beetroot, bell peppers, chard, courgettes (zucchini), cucumber, green beans, lettuce, radish, tomatoes (ok, they're fruits) and new potatoes (including ratte). Mushrooms are now appearing. Stalls are still selling deliciously fresh watercress, spinach, fresh garlic and onions.