What better way to discover a Parisian neighborhood and learn about French food & wine by tasting your way through the outdoor food market that I’ve been shopping in since 1989? It is a lot of fun to take guests through my quartier as a local for the morning so that they can see first-hand how the market plays an important role as a cornerstone of “village” life.
We’ll start with a light breakfast at the quartier’s best bakery & pastry shop run by a third generation baker for baguettes and croissants hot out of the oven, and then gradually taste our way through the market including cheese from an award-winning craftsman (his Comte and Brie are fabulous!), Provencal olives, meet the family who makes foie gras in the Perigord region (they won the best of 2011 award) and dozens of cured sausages from the Aveyron and Auvergne regions (he too, has bronze, silver & gold medals)… all before our last visit to an award-winning chocolate maker for sinful savory treats. (Do you see an award-wining trend?)
On Saturdays, an added bonus is meeting the vendor who makes his own salted butter caramels made with crème fraiche & hand-harvested fleur de sel as well as seeing the hilarious chicken farmer who crows like a “rooster” while preparing the birds for locals to take home.
Not only will I introduce you to the jovial residents and vendors straight from central casting (many of which are part of my extended family), you will learn: how the 76+ markets in Paris serve the public, the different food regions of France by sampling your way through the products brought in from their farms, how the French shop in the market and shops, and which foods are in season.
Depending on the season, you’ll be seeing gorgeous thick cepe mushrooms from the forests, earthy chestnuts-hazelnuts-walnuts, plump figs-apricots-strawberries, peaches, green and purple globe and baby artichokes and crates of oysters just pulled from the Brittany basins.
I’ll even guide you on how to get the foie gras and cheese home safely and legally.
You’ll have an opportunity to eat, drink and shop for various French foods but first and foremost these walks are informative cultural experiences created so that you come away with a deeper understanding of France’s food, regions, culture and customs.
TOUR DETAILS:
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings, 10 am
Duration 3 hours
Tours are private with a two person minimum and limited up to 4 people of your choosing
Tours are 160e per person, tastings included
Exact meeting location details and transportation suggestions will be provided upon reservation
Walks are held rain or shine
MAKING A RESERVATION IS AS EASY AS 1, 2, 3:
1. Be sure that you are signing up for the correct day, month and year based on the tour dates before completing your reservation. This tour is available Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 10 am.
2. Click here to purchase reservations online and let me know which tour you are taking in the note section while registering.
3. You will receive an immediate confirmation at the email address you registered with – this confirmation provides all details related to your walk, along with a brief questionnaire so that I can know more about your tastes, preferences and allergies to tailor the walk as best I can!
CANCELLATION POLICY:
All reservations are nonrefundable. This includes late arrivals and no shows. Tours start promptly, and it is your responsibility to be on time at the correct location a few minutes early, especially if you are not familiar with Paris. For rescheduling a walk, at least seven days notice is needed. Although every effort will be made to reschedule, there is no guarantee that there will be space available.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Questions regarding allergies, children or physical fitness before reserving? You can find answers here on the FAQ page
This tour will definitely be on my agenda for the next Paris trip. Sounds fabulous!