The market area radiating off the Place d’Aligre is one of the most diverse in the city.

It’s a mix of Parisian food market, North African bazaar and flea market, where young and old Paris collide. There are clothing bargains aplenty and classic cafes such as Le Baron Rouge for sitting and sipping. Expect a cultural adventure.

Marche d’Aligre
12th Arrondisement
Metro: Ledru-Rollin
Every morning except Monday, 8am to 1pm

The streets of Paris are indeed a moveable feast. To feel the pulse of the city, peruse the outdoor markets. Some are permanent rues commercantes (commercial streets) with a mix of stalls, cafes and shops selling specialty foods, and others are marches volantes (roving markets), set up on particular days only. Parisians shop daily for fresh bread, produce and the ingredients for meals cooked at home.

Each neighborhood, called an arrondisement, offers a great market experience. You don’t have to be a foodie, to find interest here. It’s a critical component of everyday life, the selection and purchase of the perfect provisions. Vendors take great pains to display their goods artistically and business is conducted with very specific protocol. Just watch how the business of marketing is conducted and follow suit.

Of course, if you have access to a stovetop and oven wherever you are staying, these market day adventures may yield some astonishing results. The simple preparation of best-available ingredients, can be addictive.