Passy Covered Market

Just opposite the second location of the Grand Epicerie, that one of Le Bon Marché fame, is a small covered market that can hold its own against this luxury opponent: the covered market of Passy. The rounded entrance, dating back to the 1960s, belies that there’s been a covered market here since 1855, but inside, the quality of the produce is timeless.

Upon entering, gorgeous flower displays take your breath away. Then, the smell of ripe French fromages reaches your nose, floating over from the Androuet cheese stand on your right.

You’ll be beckoned to the stall and asked what you’d like. It’s alright if you don’t know; take your time to discuss which cheese best suits your tastes, what to pair it with, and how much you’ll need based on the number of people you’ll be serving. The Parisians will wait patiently behind you. Good advice is what makes French markets what they are: everybody takes their time and discusses food with the vendors. After all, they are the ones in the know.

A bit further along, there’s an amazing seafood stand where everything is so beautiful it almost looks like still life paintings. Just look at the sea urchins! The neighboring greengrocer’s produce is so colorful and fresh that you want to make a salad right then and there, but ready-prepared food, such as pasta and roasted chickens, entice you further.

There’s nothing better than grabbing a few select cheeses, a little charcuterie, some fresh fruit, and a baguette, and then heading down to the Seine for a picnic. This is definitely one of my favorite food markets in Paris.