I would love opinions on what is the best food market in Paris. What is everyones favorite? We will be staying in St. Germain next June and I want to plan a visit to stock up on supplies for picnics and to enjoy the atmosphere. I would like to avoid anything super touristy, looking for an authentic experience. Thank you!

I find most markets authentic, serving the people in the neighbourhood. Some have more tourist...because they are closer to touristy areas.

I like Richard Lenoir market myself.

<i>I find most markets authentic, serving the people in the neighbourhood. Some have more tourist...because they are closer to touristy areas.</i>

That's probably the most accurate answer you're gonna get, OP.

Don't stock up. Just pick up the food on a daily basis. The markets are <b>not</b> farmers' markets for the most part. They are vendors just like greengrocers, charcutiers, etc. As concerns fruits and vegetables they may be fresher because the ambulatory vendors pick up their items every day from the wholesaler. But if a market cannot be found, the local charcuterie, fromagerie, boulangerie, etc. will be fine as a replacement.

For authentic, you have to go to the outer arrondissements. The Bastille market in the 11th is excellent, but at the same time it is the most "touristy" of the authentic markets just because it is right next to a tourist site.

I know the markets of northern Paris better than the ones in southern Paris, and I can vouch for the fact that the Ordener and Ornano markets in the 18th are outstanding, and the Joinville market in the 19th on Sunday morning is also great.

I pretty much love the authenticity of ALL the markets!!

The markets are not daily everywhere. The "best" authentic market might be held the day before you arrive. We have found small neighborhood vendors our best source of supplies for the apartment.

I can't think of anything in particular in the Lenoir market that makes it touristy just because it is in an area where more tourists might see it. The vendors sell the same kind of stuff they sell elsewhere, it seems to me. The only thing that might be meant by saying it is more touristy is that there are more tourists among the customers, I guess. They are all authentic, none of them exist for tourists.

Yes, that's what I meant. The Bastille market doesn't sell tourist stuff, but it is full of tourists mixed with the locals. Depending on how they act, they can be annoying or amusing, but so can we all.

oh, and in any given area, they are not daily, only about twice a week. Now by contrast, there are some market streets with open-air stalls (such as rue de Buci or rue Cler or rue Mouffetard), and those are daily. There is also a temporary roving market down at the bottom (south) end of rue Mouffetard and I think those guys may come daily, also.

here's one list http://www.secretsofparis.com/paris-food-markets/

This is a great site for Paris market information, but in French only. Google Translate might help:

http://www.paris.fr/loisirs/se-prome...476_port_24046

Not sure what "authentic" means in terms of a Paris market, but we have liked several and they are all different: Bastille (Richard Lenoir), Avenue Président Wilson, Aligre/Beauvau, Enfants Rouges, Monge, Mouffetard, and the Bio/Organic Raspail Sunday markets.

I agree with what Jamikins said. I think all the markets I've shopped in seemed to be serving mostly local customers.

I've enjoyed the Marche Allgre too - kind of a marche forain I read - lots of veggies, prepared foods, bric-a-brac and for markets in Paris extremely cheap on fruit and veg - I recall buying 5 avocados for a euro!

The real list of Paris markets is on the municipal website: http://marches.equipements.paris.fr/

I'd seriously worry about markets that sell fake food.

yech.

What needs to be said--the markets are totally "authentic"--it is how Parisians shop for their daily/weekly goods. And yes, the same vendors may move around the city.
The OP's question is the flaw.

I like the one on grenelle on wednesdays and sundays.
very wide selection of vendors. good quality

Exactly what IS "tourist stuff," Kerouac, anyway??????

<i>Exactly what IS "tourist stuff,"</i>

In the provinces, the dry sausages, 3 for 10€ made out of donkey meat, boar, duck and other meats, all of which taste the same once it has been processed.

We have always like the Auteuil market in the 16th. Held Wednesdays and Saturdays. Nearby are also several good food stores -- a cheese shop, butcher, poultry specialist etc.

http://equipement.paris.fr/marche-auteuil-5506

When you see the refrigerator in your apartment, you are likely to understand why stocking up is not a good idea!

Things that one would shop for pretty much daily: bread, often twice a day; cheese ( tell the affineur when yow want to serve it and what you are serving it with, and s/he will give you a piece that is ready to eat but not good to keep around); fish, obviously; some vegetables, again tell the stallholder or grocer when you want to serve them, and you will get [should get] veg that will be perfect or that meal but won't stand up to storage.