At a time like this when the world is bubbling over with craziness at a full boil, I respond by drowning myself in the arts. I’ve been reading (currently on my night table: The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen; it’s not exactly light reading but…
Much as the “Curse of the Bambino” hung over Boston for decades following the infamous decision of the Red Sox to sell slugger Babe Ruth to the Yankees, so too has the site of Les Halles in Paris been plagued after the market was dismantled in 1969…
Any trip to Paris prompts questions about what to do and where to eat. Another decision that’s important to some travelers is which Paris flea market to visit. Paris is a haven for antiques, collectibles, and vintage items. Two of the best flea markets (or “puces“)…
Spring and summer are when Paris markets are coming into full bloom. Juicy gariguette strawberries and spears of asparagus will soon be widely available, along with cheeses and butter made with milk from animals that have been chomping on young flowers and grasses. At flea markets, summery dresses and scarves…
Paris markets can be hit-or-miss. That’s why I’m pleased to unveil a new tool called the Paris Market Finder in the Resources section of my website. Most markets in Paris are open only one or two days a week. Locals know by heart the days of their closest or…
We can all use a boost of holiday cheer. One of the best places to go and stoke that merry glow is a holiday market. In France they’re called marchés de Noël. The tradition of Christmas markets started in Germany and spread to Alsace in the…
Some people visit markets in Paris purely for the fun and cultural immersion, and maybe to pick up souvenirs that can be transported home in a suitcase. I often advise travelers to Paris that one doesn’t need to have a kitchen to enjoy the food…
Friday is a sweet spot of a weekday to browse and shop the Paris markets. Vendors’ stalls are well stocked in anticipation of shoppers who want to lay in provisions before the weekend begins, and the aisles are easier to navigate than they will be on Saturday and Sunday when markets are more crowded….
As a market day in Paris, Sunday might be hard to beat. Many markets are open on Sunday morning, plus there’s tremendous variety in the different types. Whether your interests run toward antiques, flea items, food (including organic), crafts, books, or birds, you can find entire markets devoted to them on any given…
