Marché d'Aligre map

I used to come to Paris & never visit the MARCHÉ. I was terrified. What was I thinking?

Marjorie Williams of Markets of Paris (and Provence) has a little VIDEO to help you overcome your fears and discover one of Paris' great vibrant treasures. Easy transport- take Metro 8 or bus86 to stop Ledru-Rollin. A good shortcut I discovered yesterday - turn left onto rue Antoine Vollon.

At #8 grab a terrific sandwich at top patisserie Blé Sucre. They have Paris' best madeleines to boot. Walk to the end of the park and turn left.

Take rue Theophile Roussel into Marché d’Aligre. At #1 drink 'une verre' at le Baron Rouge.

Gorgeous fait maison chocolates at Puerto Cacao at #2. Their exterior is patterned like a chocolate bar.

David Lebovitz likes bistro Le Charolais around the corner on #15 rue de Cotte for their steak frits.

Just across the street is the covered market, Marche Beauveau.

Inside beaucoup specialty purveyers; poissonnerie, fromageries, traiteurs l'Italiane, bieres, marchand d'epices.

And bio patisserie Jo and Co.

Then head out the front entrance into the heart of the marche.

The most accessible of all Paris' markets, Marché d'Aligre is open 6 days a week from 7 am - 1:30

Another great plus is you can help yourself without getting yelled at at d'Aligre

There are plenty of free tastes & you're not obliged to buy unlike some other markets. Prices are great. There is always room for bargainng. Most vendors are multi-lingual I've found but do say your 'Bonjours' like Marjorie suggests.

Come 12:30 you'll hear vendors singing 

"UNERO, UNERO, UNERO!" (1€)

Its Sale time in the market.

Don't miss la Graineterie in the corner for potted herbs, unusual grains and beans.

The daily scruffy flea market in Place d'Aligre sells old books, kicknacks. I was so busy shooting I missed seeing this great find. A top hat Moet and Chandon Champagne ice 🧊 bucket! All I could see-Japanese fans. Will it be there tomorrow..?

Paris map inspiration comes from where ever. I discovered 19th century chromos prints of vegetable people. I couldn't resist throwing them in. Please do not miss out visiting Paris' vibrant markets. There's no better place to start than marché d'Aligre. Its in the 12th arrondissment by the way. As someone asked,'where's the 12th?' Next Time I'll add a mini arrondissement map. 

Would you like more markets or a passage map perhaps? Do tell. Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast. 

You can help support Bear by subscribing to Paris letters and maps, Or forward to a friend.

The market flower 🌺 girl is singing, "Li-la, li-la"

Les Lebey de la Gastronomie

Last night les Lebey de la Gastronomie gave out the French 'oscars' to the creme de la creme.

I was invited to come taste by la creme de la creme, Il Gelato del Marchese

Tasting is a serious matter. Attention must be paid.

Especially to framboise et pistache. I did.

I paid a lot of attention to the mountain of fromage. I hardly touched the stuff in the US. So funny

Stacks of fat pods of vanille

Rum infused with vanilla pods.

Le Beurre Bordier offered endless

Flavored butters.

Saucissons anyone?

Vanilla madeleine-flavored honey in portable pouches by Honly.

The old fashioned stuff still in glass jars.

British jams by Tea Together supplies The Ritz and other top Paris names. I'll take the pineapple canelle

Épices

Demos..watch and wait to taste. The angst is too much for me. I'd rather grab a fromage triangle.

What they were wearing - short, black lacy skirts with bare legs.

What souvenirs I brought home. I'm addicted to tasting spoons and toothpick flags. They mount up in the silverware drawer. I didn't realize I'd also grabbed a cheese cow. Oh dear. Tasting mania!

Paris in Bloom

Is winter still hanging round in your doorstep? Then you need THIS BOOK.

IF Spring is beginning to show up you still need THIS BOOK.

If you have a mother, you need this book. Georgianna Lane's PARIS IN BLOOM is simply divine.

It inspired me to look for Paris pinks. Le Bonbon au Palais confiserie has perfect pink marshmallow.

They have deep pink framboise chocolate fish! This is a first.

Anne Maisoneuve is ready for Spring with peony Ts.

I thought of buying pretty pink ranunculus to paint inspired by Georgianna's book.

Every picture is a painting, evocative, inspiring, dreamy. I was shooting in Paul Langevin parc under a swath of cherry trees. Bloosoms were falling.

Paris in Bloom has useful information like Georgianna's favored flower boutiques. Quite a few were in last May's flower shop map.

She likes Au Nome de La Rose.

A Metro poster announcing Easter egg events I found yesterday.

No pastries in Georgianna's book, but many how-tos like Creating your own Parisian-style bouquet. And a field guide to recognizing common Paris spring-blooming trees.

There's a DIY tour of Georgianna's favorite locations for flowering trees and plants in central Paris.

Bear and I met up with Georgiannas.

We were lucky to get her to come take a look at our tiny secret garden.

Who knew there were Camellias in my own back yard till Georgianna identified them?

I've been painting Camellias ever since. If you want/need a fabulous uplift, a taste of Spring, inspiration, oh anything ar all, do get PARIS IN BLOOM. (Link above) Thank you for reading Parisbreakfast. If you enjoyed this post and would like to support it, subscribe to Paris letters, maps and watercolors or forward to a friend. Cheers