This little piggy went to the market…

Obviously, a huge part of life in France, is food, and quintessentially the fantastic market culture that exists (even in swanky Paree..) Though people generally wouldn’t do an enormous part of their weekly shop at their local marché, it is the often the place to see and be seen, and especially so on a Sunday morning.

My market is Marché Monge, though I generally combine it with a visit to Lower Rue Mouffetard and the fantastic array of stalls and foodie shops there. Here are a few tips, solely from my personal experience, about how to marché..

1. Follow the queue. The French, especially the older women have an innate sense of quality, and value. If you see a stall that has a large queue seeming to contain mostly elderly women with their rolly shopping bags, you have struck gold. They know what you (as an uncouth foreigner will never know..) where exactly the best, freshest produce is. This is particularly important when you see 4 – 5 Fruit and veg stalls all overflowing, and you can’t spot a single difference!

2. Be careful with prices: in the bustle of the queue and the stress of trying to remember the french for asparagus, it is easy to check the prices or ask how much things are. Generally, there should be no nasty surprises – it may be slightly more expensive than your average supermarket for certain products, whereas some will be great value. Beware the sneaky €6 melon out of season – it is there to lure the tourists, don’t succumb!

3. The rotisserie chicken is King: This has been one of my best discoveries in France. Even if the huge rotating birds look intimidating and/or enormous – don’t be put off. You can get the marchand to give you a half, or even a quarter chicken depending on what you need. Roast chicken leftovers are super versatile, and you will more than get your value for the 3-odd euro you spend. Tip: Always, always accept the offer of ‘de la sauce avec?”. Not only will this magic greasy liquid transform your chicken, you risk offending the marchand and his entire family if you refuse – you have been warned…

                                         

4. If something smells amazing, it is probably amazing: This is particularly apt regarding the lebanese galette I am devouring in the picture below. These are amazing (ginormous) soft dough parcels of lamb, pine-nuts, tabbouleh vert and feta cheese. They smelled amazing, and they are – use your nose!

                                        

5. Smile and try to speak French: Last but not least, this is pretty obvious. The market sellers generally love their job – they love having the banter with the customers. Smile, try out your French (even if it atrocious) and chat to the vendors. My Irish twang speaking french has got me a free bag of figs, and an extra tomato on more than on occasion, so it is well worth the effort!