
What Can You Find in a French Market?
Markets are a huge part of food culture in France. It’s not just where we buy fresh produce but a place where we discuss the produce, how best to prepare them, plus exchange recipes – many of them you’ll find as a result on le blog.
What are Markets like in France? I often hear visitors ask this when they arrive, so let me show you a typical French market (le marché). It’s not only where we buy the freshest produce, it’s where we discuss the products and share interesting recipes. This virtual guide is based on our local farmers’ market in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, between Paris and Versailles, which takes place three times a week. Farmers’ markets are to be found all around Paris at different times – so there’s a market to be found every day of the week!
The most popular stalls are the fruit and vegetables. Each produce card contains related recipes, interesting facts. Did you know that une grosse légume (a big vegetable) is slang for a big wig, a VIP? Find out many more colloquial French expressions with fruits or vegetables below.
Early Spring: What Fruit and Vegetables are in Season?
As we say bonjour to April, here are what fruits and vegetables you can expect to find at the French farmers’ markets:
- French fruits: Kiwis, rhubarb and mangos are now appearing. Fruits such as apples, pears, walnuts, clementine oranges, Menton lemons and pineapples are still featuring in full swing;
- French vegetables: radishes, parsley and the first asparagus are appearing. Stalls are still selling deliciously fresh potatoes, leeks, carrots, watercress, spinach, beetroot, cauliflower and broccoli, parsnips, mushrooms and onions.