Paris food tours?
Jan 29th, 2012, 08:45 AM
#1
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Paris food tours?
We will be in Paris in mid-May for a long weekend and would be interested in a half or full day food market and tasting tour. I'm aware of several high-end offers that cost about 300 euros for a half day. Although that may end up being the option of choice, I'm wondering if there is also a possibility of a group walking tour that might require a less burdensome bite on the pocketbook. I've been in Paris many times previously and am familiar with much of the city, but thought it might be fun to have a sharper focus on food during this visit.
Jan 29th, 2012, 09:07 AM
#2
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Have you checked Sandy Tours (www.sandytours.com)? They offer a Courmet & Market tour that may work for you.
Jan 29th, 2012, 09:12 AM
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What do you envision? The markets are well publicized that would be open on Saturday and Sunday. And the market streets are well known. Are you thinking about the Rungis market also? I always love the food aspect of Paris, and go to as many markets as we have days usually!! Just curious. I don't want to overlook a possibility!
You could take a day course at Cordon Bleu.
You could take a day course at Cordon Bleu.
Jan 29th, 2012, 09:17 AM
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We took a food tour with Context http://www.contexttravel.com/city/Pa..._tours/Cuisine in November and you can read more about our experience and see photos in my trip report http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rip-report.cfm
Their tours are limited to 6 and we had 4 on ours. Our docent was Meg Zimbeck of Paris By Mouth who has also now started her own tours so you might want to contact her directly as well although I don't know how much she charges http://parisbymouth.com/taste-paris-by-mouth/
If you use Context, they have several different docents and from reading the reviews on Tripadvisor, we gathered that not all of them have a food background so we asked in advance who the docent would be before confirming. We had a great time with Meg.
Their tours are limited to 6 and we had 4 on ours. Our docent was Meg Zimbeck of Paris By Mouth who has also now started her own tours so you might want to contact her directly as well although I don't know how much she charges http://parisbymouth.com/taste-paris-by-mouth/
If you use Context, they have several different docents and from reading the reviews on Tripadvisor, we gathered that not all of them have a food background so we asked in advance who the docent would be before confirming. We had a great time with Meg.
Jan 29th, 2012, 09:32 AM
#8
Here's the link to the sandy-tours version - 1/2 day for €260 looks pretty steep to me.
http://www.sandytours.com/our_tours_...ket_tour,47,en
have you tried googling "tours of paris markets"/
or looked at the "attractions" section of trip advisor? - loads of recommendations there.
OR - just head for a market armed only with some euros and a shopping basket. buy some bread, a variety of cheeses, a bit of fruit, and have a picnic. way cheaper than a market tour with someone else and more fun!
http://www.sandytours.com/our_tours_...ket_tour,47,en
have you tried googling "tours of paris markets"/
or looked at the "attractions" section of trip advisor? - loads of recommendations there.
OR - just head for a market armed only with some euros and a shopping basket. buy some bread, a variety of cheeses, a bit of fruit, and have a picnic. way cheaper than a market tour with someone else and more fun!
Jan 29th, 2012, 10:18 AM
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That's why I wondered what was the real aim of it--we just go and enjoy the markets. What on earth could someone tell you in 3 hours touring "a" market, and charging $300!! Food snobbery, perhaps!! LOL
There used to be a woman on AOL who gave photography tours, and food tours. You could go to the market and buy the food, and then come back to her apartment and cook.
I imagine Michael Osman could give a food/market tour.
There used to be a woman on AOL who gave photography tours, and food tours. You could go to the market and buy the food, and then come back to her apartment and cook.
I imagine Michael Osman could give a food/market tour.
Jan 29th, 2012, 10:19 AM
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Hit reply too quick. I particularly love the pl. Monge Sunday market and the Richard Lenoir on Saturday (I think)--also maybe Thursday? HUGE.
We also ran across one in the 16th that was really interesting--can't remember the day.
We also ran across one in the 16th that was really interesting--can't remember the day.
Jan 29th, 2012, 10:41 AM
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I think there's always something you can learn but agree I wouldn't pay that much for a food tour either.
There are many combined market tour + cooking classes if you're interested in those.
I'd like to tour Rungis but can't fathom getting up that early!
There are many combined market tour + cooking classes if you're interested in those.
I'd like to tour Rungis but can't fathom getting up that early!
Jan 29th, 2012, 11:37 AM
#12
That's why I wondered what was the real aim of it--we just go and enjoy the markets. What on earth could someone tell you in 3 hours touring "a" market, and charging $300!! >>
Having suggested you DIY, I have to confess that Ii went on a market tour with my apartment landlady in florence. for €30 each, we got a tour round her local market where she was obviously well known [not San lorenzo, the one by santa Croce] so we got to taste some of the produce [eg loads of lovely hams and cheese, fruit, broad beans plus ricotta - who knew?]. then we had lunch in the market cafe which was terrific, which gave us a chance to try all sorts of new things - though i think i might pass on the tripe salad next time.
the next day i went back to buy some prosciutto and other goodies, and was greeted like an old friend by the stall-holders we'd met the day before.
so if you could find a tour like that, in Paris, it would be worth doing. it might be worth doing for twice that.
but €250 or so? no way.
Having suggested you DIY, I have to confess that Ii went on a market tour with my apartment landlady in florence. for €30 each, we got a tour round her local market where she was obviously well known [not San lorenzo, the one by santa Croce] so we got to taste some of the produce [eg loads of lovely hams and cheese, fruit, broad beans plus ricotta - who knew?]. then we had lunch in the market cafe which was terrific, which gave us a chance to try all sorts of new things - though i think i might pass on the tripe salad next time.
the next day i went back to buy some prosciutto and other goodies, and was greeted like an old friend by the stall-holders we'd met the day before.
so if you could find a tour like that, in Paris, it would be worth doing. it might be worth doing for twice that.
but €250 or so? no way.
Jan 29th, 2012, 11:57 AM
#13
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There is absolutely nothing a "food guide"(and I've been one) can do for you for more than maybe 50 euro that's worth it, except translate and maybe enable you to taste some samples that the general public can't because the guide knows the vendors. It's not as though you're traveling to some far-flung Asian market where you won't even recognize the products.
So I'm joining the chorus of "what do you envision?" It's not at all difficult to go to a market all by your lonesome and have a great time, and I just don't get what the added value of a 250 euro guide would be. It's just food.
So I'm joining the chorus of "what do you envision?" It's not at all difficult to go to a market all by your lonesome and have a great time, and I just don't get what the added value of a 250 euro guide would be. It's just food.
Feb 6th, 2016, 04:00 PM
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I'm taken this tour - http://promenadesgourmandes.com
Feb 6th, 2016, 10:58 PM
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If you're really interested in things like cheese, wine and chocolate, I have been on all these tours with ParisByMouth, and can highly recommend them.
Small groups of 6 people, generous samples are purchased during discussions with the vendors, the tour ends in a comfortable setting where you consume and discuss in depth what you have bought. The tours last about 2 hours, not hard on the feet, and the guides are entertaining as well as extremely knowledgeable.
If you just want to wander through a public open air market, you do not need a guide. Frankly, it's too noisy, too crowded, you can't discuss anything while you're there, and you won't get any samples other than a slice of mango. There are plenty of people who will be quite happy to take your money for the "privilege" of escorting you through a public market - don't waste your time or money.
Small groups of 6 people, generous samples are purchased during discussions with the vendors, the tour ends in a comfortable setting where you consume and discuss in depth what you have bought. The tours last about 2 hours, not hard on the feet, and the guides are entertaining as well as extremely knowledgeable.
If you just want to wander through a public open air market, you do not need a guide. Frankly, it's too noisy, too crowded, you can't discuss anything while you're there, and you won't get any samples other than a slice of mango. There are plenty of people who will be quite happy to take your money for the "privilege" of escorting you through a public market - don't waste your time or money.
Feb 6th, 2016, 11:18 PM
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Odd that this old thread was topped again. That being said, we really enjoyed the ParisByMouth tour we took a few years back. We took the Latin Quarter tour and it was one of the highlights of our trip.
