At the market
There’s nothing more delightful than a walk around a market if you’re looking for fresh, quality produce in Paris. Simply admire the charming colours and aromas, or let the stallholders entertain you with their lively banter. Some markets specialize in exotic or organic produce.
ALIGRE (open air market – exotic produce)
ADRESS: Place d’Aligre 75012 Paris
METRO: Ledru-Rollin
OPENING HOURS:
Tuesday to Friday: 09.00 to 13.00 / 16.00 to 19.30
Saturday: 09.00 to 13.00 / 15.30 to 19.30
Sunday: 09.00 to 13.30
BARBES (cover market – exotic produce)
ADRESS: Boulevard de la Chapelle 75018 Paris
METRO: Barbes-Rochechouart
OPENING HOURS:
Wednesday: 07.00 to 14.30
Saturday: 07.00 to 15.00
BATIGNOLLES (open air organic market)
ADRESS: Terre-plein du boulevard des Batignolles 75017 Paris
METRO: Rome
OPENING HOURS:
Saturday: 09.00 to 14.00
BELLEVILLE (open air market – exotic produce)
ADRESS: Terre-plein du boulevard de Belleville 75011 Paris
METRO: Belleville
OPENING HOURS:
Tuesday, friday: 07.00 to 14.30
BRANCUSI (open air organic market)
ADRESS: Place Brancusi 75014 Paris
METRO: Gaité
OPENING HOURS:
Saturday: 09.00 to 14.00
LES ENFANTS ROUGES (cover market)
ADRESS: 39 rue de Bretagne 75003 Paris
METRO: Filles du Calvaire
OPENING HOURS:
Tuesday to saturday: 08.30 to 13.00 / 16.00 to 19.30
Sunday: 08.30 to 14.00
MONGE (open air market)
ADRESS: Place Monge 75005 Paris
METRO: Place Monge
OPENING HOURS:
Wednesay, friday: 07.00 to 14.30
Sunday: 07.00 to 15.00
RASPAIL (open air organic market)
ADRESS: Boulevard Raspail 75006 Paris
METRO: Rennes
OPENING HOURS:
Sunday: 08.30 to 13.30
SAINT GERMAIN (cover market)
ADRESS: 4-8 rue Lobineau 75006 Paris
METRO: Mabillon
OPENING HOURS:
Tuesday to Friday: 08.30 to 13.00 / 16.00 to 20.00
Saturday: 08.00 to 13.30 / 15.30 to 20.00
Sunday: 08.00 to 13.30
SAINT MARTIN (cover market)
ADRESS: 31-33 rue du Château d’eau 75010 Paris
METRO: Château d’eau
OPENING HOURS:
Tuesday to Friday: 09.00 to 13.00 / 16.00 to 19.30
Saturday: 09.00 to 19.30
Sunday: 09.00 to 13.30
TERNES (cover market)
ADRESS: 8 bis rue Lebon 75017 Paris
METRO: Ternes
OPENING HOURS:
Tuesday to saturday: 08.30 to 13.00 / 16.00 to 19.30
Sunday: 08.00 to 13.00
Parisian celebrations
Chinese New Year: end January - beginning February
The Chinese community in Paris, for the most part resident in the 13th “arrondissement”, holds its New Year celebrations. There is a spectacular and colourful parade, with dragons, music and traditional costumes
Paris Marathon: early April
Bringing together as many as 30,000 participants, representing over 70 countries, to cover the famous 42.195 km around the most prestigious points in the capital: from the avenue des Champs-Elysées to avenue Foch, via Bastille, Nation, Vincennes, the Tuileries gardens, etc.
Foire du Trône funfair: end March to end May
The “Foire du Trône” was once known as the Gingerbread Fair. It used to be held, from 1957 to 1965, on the cours de Vincennes and took the name Foire du Trône from the nearby avenue du Trône, framed by two columns, that links the place de la Nation to the cours de Vincennes. A huge and celebrated funfair, situated nowadays on the Reuilly field in 12th “arrondissement”, it offers big wheels, spectacular and thrilling rides, traditional roundabouts (wooden horses, dodgems, etc.), haunted houses, shooting ranges to win cuddly toys, sweet stalls, waffles…
Gay Pride: last weekend in June
Lesbian, gay, bi and transgender parade. Protest, fun, themed floats and electronic music.
Canal en fête: last weekend in June
This “green alternative” celebration has as its setting the Canal Saint-Martin. A mix of musical events, street theatre, toy-swaps for kids, attic sales, a village of associations, big and small, who protect the planet.
Foire Saint-Germain: early June to early July
A rich programme for the 6th “arrondissement”: antiques, books, ceramics, poetry, exhibitions, and also theatre and world music and classical concerts and French “chanson”.
La Goutte d’Or en fête: end June - early July
Art festival celebrating cultural and ethnic diversity in this neighbourhood in the 18th “arrondissement”, defined by boulevard Barbès, rue Ordener, boulevard de la Chapelle and rue Stephenson. On the agenda: theatre, exhibitions and raï, reggae, rap, gospel or classical concerts. This district’s name dates back to the15th century: at the time its vineyards produced a white wine known as “Goutte d’Or” (“drop of gold”).
Lavagem do Sacré Cœur: early July
Procession through Montmartre and ritual washing of the steps of Sacré Cœur, organized by the Brazilian community of Paris. This event is inspired by the festival of the patron saint of Salvador da Bahia. Participants in this joyful procession, with traditional music and costumes, are all dressed in white and carry flowers.
Fête de Ganesh: early September
The Indian community of the 10th and 18th “arrondissements” celebrate Ganesh, the elephant-headed god, protector of the home and bringer of luck and prosperity. Don’t miss this exotic and colourful traditional parade, accompanied by musicians, dancers and rituals.
Fête de l’Humanité: second weekend in September
Popular festival organized by the Communist party and the newspaper “L’Humanité”, which takes place in La Courneuve, in the north of Paris. Cheap snacks and varied concerts (rock, rap, world music…).
Techno Parade: mid-September
Electronic music fills the streets of Paris for this big parade. The young and young-at-heart come here to dance around the numerous floats.
Fête des Vendanges: 1st or 2nd weekend in October
Montmartre holds its harvest festival for its little square of vineyards and the arrival of the latest vintage. An opportunity for a cheerful celebration.
“Nuit Blanche” (Sleepless Night): early October
Visits of artistic and cultural Paris… by night
VELIB’ (Paris on bike)
This is a great way to discover the true rhythm of Paris life, to explore the endless alleyways, to get right next to the Seine, to stop whenever you feel like it, and all this, while preserving the environment.
Beginning July 15, 2007, some 10,000 bicycles are available for hire from 750 self-service stations throughout the capital; the Paris city authorities are launching this initiative, called ” Vélib’” this summer. The system is simple: take a bike from one station and leave it at another, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Vélib’ stations are located about 300 meters apart from one another and include a computer terminal and bike racks. Annual, weekly, or hourly subscriptions are available, so that people can choose the option that best suits them! Beginning in late 2007, Paris will be equipped with 1,450 stations.
How it works?
If you wish to use Vélib’ on an occasional basis, you can purchase a short-term “Courte Durée” subscription (1-day or 7-day Vélib' tickets) directly from a Vélib' station.
1-day Vélib' Tickets (€1) and 7-day Tickets (€5)**( as of 18/06/2007)
The first 30 minutes of each bike rental are free. If you wish to use the bike longer than 30 minutes, the additional Vélib’ rental charges will be charged to your bank account along with the cost of the subscription at the end of the subscription period.
You can purchase a short-term Courte Durée subscription from any Vélib’ station equipped with an automated subscription terminal.
** Security Deposit: when purchasing your short term Courte Durée subscription, you must pre-authorize a withdrawal of 150 € (not collected) from your bank account. If the Vélib’ Terms and Conditions of Access and Use (soon available on this site or at a Vélib’ station), are not respected, notably in the case that your bike is not returned within a 24-hour period, all or part of the security deposit may be collected.
Accepted credit cards include:
Links to the stations (in French):
www.velib.paris.fr/les_stations/toutes_les_stations
Miscellaneous info
Climate average
Jan 3°C, Feb 4°C, Mar 7°C, Apr 10°C, May 14°C, Jun 17°C, Jul 21°C, Aug 22°C, Sep 15°C, Oct 10°C, Nov 7°C, Dec 4°C
Other
Time zone : GMT/UTC + 1
Currency : euro (€)
Credits cards : Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club, American Express
Banking hours : Monday-Friday : 09.00-12.00, 14.00-17.00
Tipping : Most restaurants and hotels automatically add a 15% service charge so a tip is not necessary, although another 2-3% is customary if the service has been good.
Telephone : Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is excellent.
Country phone code : 33
Electricity : 220V/50Hz
