Marché Aligre

Marché Aligre Review

Place d'Aligre is home to two of Paris's best markets: the lively outdoor Marché Aligre and the covered Marché Beauvau. Open at 8 am every day but Monday, both are great places to pick up the essentials for a picnic lunch, which you can enjoy in the small park nearby at Square Trousseau. The picturesque outdoor market has dozens of excitable vendors, their stands spilling over with fresh fruits and vegetables, bouquets of flowers, and regional products such as jams and honey. The best bargains are had just before the closing time at 1:30 pm, and many vendors will give you a taste of their goods if you're looking to buy. The covered market, which closes in the afternoon and reopens 4-7:30 pm, is more expensive, but stocks everything from cheese to dried sausage to Belgian beer. Sunday morning is a fun time to visit, when the markets are at their most boisterous and what seems like at least half the 12e arrondissement comes to shop. Don't forget your camera.