- Category
- Cuisine, Four Days in Paris
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- Location
- Paris
We'll start early, arriving to see the Marché d'Aligre bustling with activity. Often overlooked by tourists and much coveted by locals, this market boasts an array of items from les fleurs to les fruits, with just about everything in between. With a long history of serving its quartier—the Marché d'Aligre was inaugurated in 1781—some even consider it le Second Ventre de Paris. Our culinary expert will guide us through the maze of stalls, identifying seasonal produce and discussing issues like food provenance and the concept of terroir (the character of the soil).
On our stroll, we will also select some provisions to sample together as a group. Taking in row upon row of artfully arranged fruits and vegetables, we'll admire this particularly elegant approach to food. We may also pay a visit to a fromager's stall to view the delectable wares on display, such as artisan raw-milk cheeses so special they're unavailable anywhere else in the world, or take in charcuterie and homemade paté at the boucherie stand. We'll spend some time with the lively vegetable vendors from France and North Africa, pick through the displays of Atlantic and Mediterranean seafood, or even taste some mouthwatering olives from Provence or Italy. After some time in the market, we may also visit some of the specialty food stores or historic cafes in the neighborhood. As our walk comes to a close, we will leave with an understanding of the role the market plays in Parisian life, as well as an ability to navigate le marché.
Note: we also offer a Paris Food Tour on the left bank that focuses more heavily on French traditions and specialty food shops.
Booking Instructions
FAQ

Rhona began her culinary training in Paris Michelin-starred kitchens. She taught cuisine and pastry at the French Culinary Institute in New York where she started the pastry program. Rhona became one of the first woman executive pastry chefs when she worked at the Lespinasse restaurant in the Saint Regis hotel. Her love to teach and write led her to translate a dozen authoritative books on pastry, bread, and cuisine. Living in Paris the past 18 years, Rhona is constantly exploring its many culinary offerings. She is presently putting finishing touches on a pastry book with a focus on understanding the basics.

Benjamin is one of the rare Parisians who was actually born and raised in Paris. He studied management and economics at Dauphine University and graduated from the Sorbonne University. He also graduated in Jewish Studies at l’Alliance Israélite Universelle in Paris and at Paideia the European Institute for Jewish Studies in Stockholm, Sweden. Benjamin has been working as a tour guide for 7 years in Paris and specifically at the Shoah Memorial of Paris. He is also working as an expert in Judaica for an art auction in Paris. Benjamin had the opportunity to work abroad in several countries including The United-Kingdom, Belgium, India and Sweden but according to him Paris is a Par(ad)is(e) and he really likes sharing his passion and love for his city with others. Benjamin really likes history, antics, art, cinema and cooking.

Andrés has spent more than 16 years in Paris honing his culinary skills & knowledge. Starting in 2008 at the famous FERRANDI, L'école de cuisine et hôtelière, he learned the hard way the fine art of pastry & cuisine, apprenticing in noted Michelin-starred restaurants. Inspired by French cuisine, he then had the opportunity to study alongside European champion chef Olivier Boudot to discover secrets of French bread-making at the international Cordon Bleu school. Discovering a more epicurean penchant, he then left to study for the globally recognized Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Diploma, the French Wine Scholar, and the Champagne Master-Level program with the highest honors at the French Scholar Guild. He's also a Certified Wine Educator from the Society of Wine Educators. Now, armed with both the skills of a Sommelier & culinary nous, he is bringing the disciplines together as a food & wine editor, leading bespoke, fun, relaxed, ‘under the skin of the city’ tours around Paris’ independent delicatessens & vintners. He is also the co-founder of an Airbnb award-winning secret cheese cellar experience in Paris www.wetasteparis.com Join him in sharing his passion for the traditions, methods & history of arguably the finest cuisine and wine in the world.
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Explore the markets of Paris with Context
Get to know one of the culinary professionals who lead this tour
