Text & photos by Brian Pfeiffer. Versailles is one of the wonders of the world and has been for nearly 350 years – and it’s not just the chateau and gardens which were planned to serve Europe’s most magnificent court during the seventeenth and eighteenth…
Spring’s triumphant arrival in Paris is evident not only by the tulips blooming in the Tuileries but also by the brocantes popping up all over the city. Brocantes are temporary, pop-up flea markets. The dealers are like a band of gypsies who rove the brocante…
Someone recently asked why I bother to shop at farmer’s markets. The question took me by surprise. The answer seemed obvious, and yet I burbled on incoherently. Afterwards I sat down to give it more thought. Here are the top reasons why I shop at…
La Grande Épicerie au Bon Marché Rue de Sèvres at rue du Bac, 7th arr. Metro stop: Sèvres-Babylone Monday-Saturday 8:30 am to 9 pm (see pp. 88-91 in Markets of Paris, 2nd ed.) View Larger Map Calling all foodies! Two gourmet food halls…
News reports about customers losing interest in “fresh” produce at big-box stores doesn’t come as a big surprise. Any food that’s been in transit for days and then left languishing on shelves, is going to suffer. Not only freshness and flavor are at stake, but…
Le marché Edgar Quinet Boulevard Edgar Quinet from rue du Départ to Square Delambre, 14th arr. Edgar Quinet, Vavin Wednesday 8am to 1:30pm; Saturday 8am to 1pm (See pp. 178-180 in Markets of Paris, 2nd ed.) View Larger Map The boulevard Montparnasse is justly famous…
During one of the interviews that I did with Rick Steves for his NPR radio show “Travel with Rick Steves,” we fielded a question from a woman who was planning a trip to Paris for herself and her 15-year-old daughter. She wanted to choose activities…
The shiny snail perched atop the entrance to restaurant L’Escargot Montorgueil at number 38 is an iconic image. But it’s not the only enduring attraction along this historic market street in the center of Paris. Pâtisserie Stohrer at 51, rue Montorgueil claims to be the…
Paris is known as the City of Light but its nickname could as convincingly be the City of Love. Lovers entangle themselves in the parks, along the sidewalks, and behind not always clasped shades. The architecture, sculpture, fashion, food, wine, and even the weather and…
