Market Culture — Le Marché

The Marché (weekly market) is the heart of French food culture. In every city, in every village, there is at least one market a week — in larger cities, daily. Around 10,000 markets are held weekly in France. It's not just about shopping: The market is a social meeting point, a sensory experience, and a culinary school all at once.

A good market offers: seasonal vegetables and fruits (often directly from the producer), cheese from the Fromagier (who will advise you as if it were a life insurance), meat and poultry from the butcher, fresh fish, olives, spices, honey, charcuterie (cold cuts), fresh pasta, flowers — and always a stand where you can slurp oysters with a glass of Muscadet.

The Best Markets in France

• Marché d'Aligre (Paris, 12th Arr.) — authentic, affordable, multicultural. Daily except Monday
• Marché des Enfants Rouges (Paris, 3rd Arr.) — oldest covered market in Paris (1628), excellent street food stalls
• Marché Forville (Cannes) — explosion of colors on the Côte d'Azur, top chefs shop here
• Marché Victor Hugo (Toulouse) — on the upper floor, the vendors themselves eat, a sure sign of quality
• Les Halles Paul Bocuse (Lyon) — covered market hall with the best producers in the region
• Marché de Rungis (near Paris) — the largest fresh market in the world, successor to the old Halles de Paris. Only for professionals, but tours are possible

Market etiquette: Do not touch fruits and vegetables yourself — the vendor will choose for you. Say when you want to eat it ("pour aujourd'hui" — for today), and he will give you the perfect ripeness. A "Bonjour" upon arrival, a "Merci, au revoir" when leaving — always.