Street foods and shopping in Paris?
 

My first trip to Paris (and Europe) will be in May. (!!) I'm curious what kind of shopping can be done on the streets of Paris. Is it similar at all to NYC, where you can buy scarves, t-shirts,designer knock-offs, souvenier junk and trendy inexpensive jewelry? Or is it better/different things? Are there "street fairs" and flea markets? And are there certain areas that have better outdoor shopping than others?

Is street food big in Paris? If so, what kinds? I can't imagine it's hot dogs and halal carts. :)

There are hot dogs (in baguettes), and they are DELICIOUS!! You must try one--you'll be hooked.

You can find crepe places on the streets, but not exactly like in NYC. You are more likely to see store fronts selling baguettes stuffed with different fillings, pizza slices, and crepes for take away.

As for markets, they are everywhere - some are market streets, some are markets in squares and they have different opening times, here is some info on the food markets: http://www.parismarkets.net/
http://goparis.about.com/od/shopping...od-markets.htm

Many markets will also sell clothes, scarves etc. There are also lots of famous flea markets so hopefully someone else can help you with that.

And yes, there are lots of places selling scarves, t-shirts,designer knock-offs, souvenier junk and trendy inexpensive jewelry. You will find these places all over.

"Is it similar at all to NYC, where you can buy scarves, t-shirts,designer knock-offs, souvenier junk and trendy inexpensive jewelry"

Yes, unfortunately, you can get Made In China crap in Paris; I saw a bunch of it at a couple street markets, the same stuff over and over. No doubt near the "tourist sites" there will be endless vendors with "souvenier junk."

I don't think there are as many sidewalk or corner vendors in Paris as in NYC (in terms of scarves, etc.). Sure, there are places you can buy that, but they tend to be real shops, of course, there are areas where they are more prevalent (lots in front of the big dept stores, also). For example, there are lots in the blocks right along and near the Seine off pl St Michel, and then on the other side of Notre Dame on the island (shops selling scarves, for example).

If you want "designer knockoffs", you aren't going to find that in the typical souvenir or scarf-selling place.

Food carts are more likely on streets, it seems to me, although I don't think those are quite as common as in some places in NYC, either.

No, no...I don't necessarily want to buy knock-offs or made in China crap (unless it's really cute! ;) ) , just wondering what was offered in Paris from a street shopping standpoint. I do like the atmosphere of shopping outdoors, and love flea markets and food carts. I had seen something on Travel Channel that there are many street artists as well. Of course, if I travel as light as everyone says I should, I won't have room to bring anything home. :)

Vintage stores have really exploded everywhere in Paris, maybe you would like those, and the biggest outdoor flea market in the world is at Saint Ouen on Saturdays. Along the rue de Rivoli leading to the Louvre there are many outdoor stalls. I usually go in the fall so don't see many "street artists" but I would think in the warm months they'll be hard to miss along the river and over the bridges. As far as food, eat and drink at the outdoor cafes that are on almost every street.

You definitely won't have any problem shopping and eating at whatever level you choose. You're going to have a blast.

You will probably find somewhat less "knockoff crap" than in most cities of the world since France is the country that prosecutes the knockoff crap sellers the most (and chases them down all over the world). Nevertheless, there is still plenty of knockoff crap available.

Cheap souvenirs..along Rue de Rivoli near Louvre, also a few places near St Michel.
Marais might fit the bill, Rue des Franc Bourgeois

If you google "food truck in paris" you'll get lots of hits about this one:

www.lacamionquifume.com

There's always L'As du Fallafel on the rue des Rosiers in the Marais with a take-out window as well as interior seating.

Most boulangeries now sell sandwiches.

The regular outdoor food markets usually have a clothing/shoe section. Blvd. Richard Lenoir near Bastille has a good one on Sunday

There are street markets in various arrondisments every day except Mondays.

List of them herehttp://vide-greniers.org/flea-market-france.php

Wish I'd had the same experience with the hot dogs as you, evecolorado. Mine was ugh!

What about street crêperies?