Paris' Daily Market: the Marché d'Aligre

Enter into another world and see a different side of Paris, featuring the most energetic, colorful, lively and cosmopolitan marketplaces of the city. It's the Marché d’Aligre ("The Aligre Market") in the 12th arrondissement. With a friendly and knowledgeable local guide, you'll discover places that normal tourists never reach and enjoy two hours of exploring the market, seeing various stalls and shops, and of course sampling some of what the market has to offer with tastings.

The gem of the Marché d'Aligre is one of the few remaining covered markets in Paris, the Marché Beauvau, packed with permanent stalls overflowing with tapenades, spices, nuts, North-African harissa, flowers, poultry and so much more. Outside, filling the surrounding streets is the energetic open-air market around the square d’Aligre, where vendors sell fruits, vegetables, knickknacks, antiques, and so much more. Along the rue d'Aligre are interesting gourmet shops selling delicious North African breads, French cheeses, chocolates, mussels and fish, spices, teas, pastries, organic bread - all lying behind the market stalls crammed with lots of African and Asian delicacies.

It's a vibrant atmosphere with a local community feel, and your guide will introduce you to stallholders and explain some of the history of the market. You'll discover the range of products and of course make stops to taste some of the the specialty foods.