5 Reasons to Visit le Marché des Enfants Rouges in Paris


 

Several markets coexist in Paris, but this one is historic as it is covered – hidden within are many specialities to taste.

Discover the 5 main reasons why you should visit le Marché des Enfants Rouges in Paris!

Marché

Photo by Connie Ma sourced from Wikimedia Commons

Le Marché des Enfants Rouges is one of the oldest covered markets in Paris

It was established in 1628 as the “Petit marché du Marais” and is located at 39 Rue de Bretagne in the Marais, in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris. In addition, the market has been listed as a historic monument since 1982. The market was renovated at the end of the 1990s, after being threatened with destruction.

The name “Enfants-Rouges”, which can be translated as “Market of the Red Children” was only given to it later. This name come from the proximity of the hospice of the Red Children (1524-1777) created by Marguerite of Navarre for orphans whose uniforms were red.

Buy your own vegetables at le Marché des Enfants Rouges

There is one part of le Marché des Enfants-Rouges that looks like a traditional food market – think fresh vegetables, fruits, fish and meat. You also have many organic products. Most local residents do their grocery shopping here.

Legumes Marché

Photo by Mr. Granger sourced from Wikimedia Commons

Taste different food specialities

The most important feature of le Marché des Enfants-Rouges is the fact that you have many caterers of differents specialities: Italian, Japanese, Moroccan, Lebanese…

The choice between the small shops, each one more attractive than the next, is complex and offers a glimpse into other countries and cultures. Moreover, either you take your food to go or you can eat it in the middle of the market, on a sunny terrace during summer or a covered one during winter.

If you are looking for fresh pasta with black truffles or antipasti, run to Mangiamo Italiano.
The caterer also has a grocery corner. He sells fresh and dry pasta (De Cecco), a wide choice of delicatessen and cheeses, white truffles in season, antipasti and all kinds of sunny dishes: good and rather cheaper than elsewhere in the neighbourhood.

Antipasti Marché

Photo by Macguys sourced from Wikimedia Commons

Mangiamo italiano, 39, rue de Bretagne, Paris 03 Phone: 01 42 42 78 82 42. Menu: approx. 10-20 €.

Are you tempted by the huge pancakes made from extra fresh products? Raw vegetables, goats cheese, honey, olive oil, you name it! Du Pain… et des crêpes offers you its formula at 7€. For this price, you have to wait, but I can assure you that this is worth it, and that you will be drooling by the time you are served! Over hot plates and thick breadboards they theatrically grate cheese and slice prosciutto over the freshly made gallettes.

Gallette Marché

Own photo

Du Pain… et des crêpes, 39, rue de Bretagne, Paris 03. Formula: 7 € for a sandwich and a drink.

If you want to eat organic with 100 % fresh products, you should go at Au Coin Bio.
The vegetables are cooked in all forms.

In the soup they are bundant and varied: carrots, salad, avocado, tomatoes and coriander to spice it up. The salad is accompanied by a dressing made with walnut oil. Or order them à la plancha, in gratin, in quiche, and even in a galette (made with potatoes and carrots).

Au Coin bio, 39, rue de Bretagne, Paris 03. Phone: 01 42 42 78 43 15. Menu: approx. 15-20 €.

L’Estaminet des Enfants Rouges is a bistro and it offers you  traditional French food and oysters. On Sunday, you can also get a brunch at 20€.

L’Estaminet des Enfants Rouges, 39, rue de Bretagne, Paris 03. Phone: 01 42 42 72 28 28 12. Formula: at 15,50 € for lunch. Oyster tasting (plate of 12 oysters 1 and a glass of white wine at 20 €). Menu: approx. 20-25 €.

Taeko offers bentos, donburi and other specialities that are very well licked! Liked?! Every day, you can get a bento with a choice of a dish, a bowl of rice and vegetables. Donburi is similar, but less compartmentalised. ‘Don’ translates into Japanese as bowl, the word Donburi meaning ‘rice bowl dish’.

You have a large choice: breaded or grilled sardines, caramelized pork ribs, tofu and shrimp balls, cod croquettes… However, Miso soup is extra, and so are desserts.

Taeko, 39, rue de Bretagne, Paris 03. Phone: 01 48 48 04 34 59. Menu: approx. 15-20 €.

The list is long but I certainly recommend you to try a couscous or a tagine at Le Traiteur Marocain: the food is really tasty and it is affordable. When I ordered a couscous, I remember my meal was served to me in a clay dish, making me all the more excited to eat – it was heavy and hot as I took it to one of the small surrounding tables. A filling meal like this in winter is the perfect lunch to warm you up.

Tagine Marché

Photo by Khammal sourced from Wikimedia Commons

Le Traiteur Marocain, 39, rue de Bretagne, Paris 03. Menu: approx. 10-15 €.

Have a drink during the day at le Marché des Enfants Rouges

This place gives you the choice to have anything you want at hand. You can either get a moroccan tea at Le Traiteur Marocain, a beer at L’Estaminet des Enfants Rouges or an organic coffee at Au Coin Bio. Once, I went in the market on a sunny afternoon and I ordered a Moroccan tea, which is served in a teapot. I accompanied it with some oriental pastries and I ate on a table in the terrace. It was delicious! No matter what you choose, I can assure you that you will get a nice break from the hustle and bustle of Paris if you pause here during your day.

Marché Tea

Photo by Youssef sourced from Steemit

Explore the surroundings of le Marché des Enfants Rouges

This market has two entrances: one in rue de Bretagne and the other one rue de Charlot. It is also open everyday from Tuesday to Sunday. From Tuesday to Saturday, the opening hours are: 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM and on Sunday, it is open from 8:30 AM to 2PM. These opening hours give you plenty of time to just enjoy a walk in the middle of fresh products and delightful smells.

Don’t miss the little shop of photographies if you leave the market through the main entrance on the rue de Bretagne. There is a wide choice of beautiful ancient photographies, beautiful views of Paris and portraits of Parisians, pictures of actors or still captures from movie shootings, … Most of them are from unknown photographers and not too expensive. And even if you do not buy anything, the shop itself is worth visiting. This shop is a pleasant way to end a tour at the Marché des Enfants Rouges.

Marché

Photo by Connie Ma sourced from Wikimedia Commons

Now that you know almost everything about the Marché des Enfants Rouges, you can go take a look yourself! And if you want to know more about the neighbourhood, Le Marais, why not take a free walking tour with Discover Walks?

Le Marché des Enfants Rouges
Address: 39 rue de Bretagne, Paris 03
Hours: Closed on Monday, open on Tuesday-Sunday although each market stall’s days and hours vary
Subway: Filles du Calvaire (8), Arts et Métiers (3)

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