Parisian markets
Paris is arguably the world’s most beautiful city. It may be unique in being a city of districts, quartiers and arrondissements. This is a product of Paris’ history whereby many pre-existing villages were merged into becoming today’s Paris. Indeed, I used to live in the “village d’Auteuil”.
The village atmosphere of Paris is still very much alive in the local markets which sell fruit, vegetables, cheese and charcuterie, seafood, meat, honey, and even clothes and kitchen ware.
Yesterday, I visited the local market just near my old studio (see photo) in rue Agar of Paris’ 16th arrondissement. Rue Agar was named after the dramatic artist Marie-Léonide Charvin, known as Agar (1832-1891), who lived at Auteuil from 1870 to 1880.
The real estate complex on rue Agar was a major project by the Art Nouveau architect Hector Guimard. In fact, Guimard’s architectural masterpiece, The Castel Béranger (see photo), is just around the corner, opposite the market.
Castel Béranger is a residential building with thirty-six apartments located at 14 rue de la Fontaine and was built between 1895 and 1898. It was the first residence in Paris built in the Art Nouveau style.
Having some time to kill, I wandered around the market, which is open on Tuesdays and Fridays. Surprisingly, some of the market people remembered me from back in the day.
What I like best about Paris’ markets is the cheese, and fruit and vegetable stands. You can buy wonderful fresh cheese of all origins, a wonderful relief from the manufactured cheese in supermarkets. I bought several, including some cheese from sheep’s milk, which I love.
At this time of the year, you can also buy a range of different mushrooms. Yesterday, I bought some girolles which I prepared last night. There was also a lady selling fresh, artisanal honey which I love.
Back in the day, I used to rent out my studio to Australian friends. They seemed to enjoy visiting the local market, almost as much as going to the big museums!