On Sundays, all the stores are closed in France, except for a couple of bakeries and a bunch of bars (French can’t live without a reliable supply of booze…).
Most French appreciate slowing down on Sunday, which is why they head to the market for a baguette, a few slices of jambon blanc, a roasted chicken, and maybe some deli specialties like a good portion of taboulé, pâté or other charcuterie.
Sunday markets are usually the biggest markets of the week with producers coming from all over the region to sell fruits and vegetables.
These days, going to the market is a commitment. Buying local, buying organic, buying less and buying better quality products, in general, is the trend. However, doing so has a price. Contrary to popular belief, markets aren’t cheap. In fact, supermarkets are almost always cheaper but for a few specialty items.
It’s a great place for people-watching, taking pictures of food, and immersing yourself in French culture. I hadn’t seen that much seafood in a long time!
So jealous of the price of cherries, they are 8,99 to 9,99 Euros in most Parisian supermarkets. I don’t shop at my local market because they are not selling local produces and they wares are not any better than what I can find in a regular supermarket.
I’ve always found produces at markets outside of Paris of better quality!
Where do you shop in Paris? I often find there isn’t much choice, between these tiny overpriced épiceries and the Monoprix.
I was wondering about price comparison between Europe and Canada, do you think the food is generally more expensive here in Europe, for example seasonal fruit?
When I was visiting in North America what struck me the most was the fact that some stores are open 24/7, so to avoid crowds some people will actually go grocery shopping in the middle of the night! To me that was beyond weird as it is so different to Europe where stores close at 8-9pm, and on Sundays most stores are generally closed. All night shopping in America is certainly convenient however I can’t say I see this happening in Europe any time soon, what do you think?
Fruits and veggies are definitely cheaper (and bigger!) in North America, especially bananas and “exotic” fruits. I was super curious to see who shopped in the middle of the night when I first came to Ottawa, so I once went to the supermarket at 2 a.m. It was pretty empty, employees mostly stock up and arrange deliveries. Most people still seem to shop within fairly regular business hours, i.e. until 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. I don’t think I go to the supermarket later than that (I usually go around noon when it’s quiet, the perks of freelancing!). It’s convenient to know stores are open but we rarely use this convenience.
I wouldn’t mind shops to be open on Sundays in France and I can see the trend picking up. Now some grocery stores open 9-12 on Sundays, which was unthinkable just a few years ago. But 24/7… not a chance.
Very interesting that the fruit & veggies seems to be bigger on the other side of the Atlantic, probably due to completely different supply chain. Having spent a few weeks in North America I have to admit I was in complete awe with some of the conveniences over there. We once went to run a few errands and barely got out of the car as it was all drive-through – such a contrast to Europe where for much of the time people just walk if at all possible:) enjoy your holidays & looking forward to see more pics from your travels
Take bananas for instance: French seem to import them from Guadeloupe and Martinique, the two French islands in the Caribbeans, while in Canada they come from Honduras. And they taste very different!
I especially like the photo of lines of raspberries and lemons! I go to outdoor markets in phases. Sometimes I go for a long time without visiting one because it’s easier to get everything at the supermarket, but once in a while when I have time and the idea, I’ll go regularly for a few weeks.
It’s inspiring for sure!
Photo number three is simply beautiful; I could look at it for hours and cook stories in my mind.
You will find amazing produces in Canada too, straight from Southern US or Latin America 😉
It all looks very healthy! I hope you are having a lovely time there x
Thank you! Are you back in Canada?
Lovely photos! I also find that farmers’ markets here in Ottawa are more expensive than the grocery store – tough call, local produce and better flavour, or lower cost? Different sides win out from week to week. 🙂
Which market do you go to in Ottawa? I used to go to the one in the Byward, but it has gotten expensive and sometime, the quality of produce was disappointing (like rotten bell peppers).
Markets are always cheaper in my big city and in the small one I grew up in!
And it’s for sure a political act.
Lucky you! It has gotten expensive in Nantes.
Les cerises font envie, mais alors le prix!!!! Mamamia j’ai perdu l’habitude. Ici toutes les choses fraîches surtout au marché sont au moins la moitié de ce que c’est dans l’hémisphère Nord… (quoique si j’ai envie de cerises il me faudra sûrement payer un bras et un oeil pour un produit importé et super moche) hi hi
Je sais… l’Amérique latine a les meilleurs fruits. Par contre, les légumes me manquaient en Argentine! Le Brésil a de tout, c’est génial.
Reminds me of this article I read about ‘ugly’ fruit being appreciated for its uniqueness in supermarkets in Europe. Every single fruit looking exactly the same in conventional supermarkets in North America always freaks me out a little. Here’s a link!
http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2014/12/09/369613561/in-europe-ugly-sells-in-the-produce-aisle
I love NPR, thank you for the link! I agree, I find it a bit creepy when produce (or bread or anything like that) looks perfect. It feels… artificial.