Walking Tour

2.5 hrs

Paris

The sweet smell of buttery croissants tickles your nose just before you're whisked away to a kaleidoscope of colors – plump red strawberries sit next to sunshine-yellow lemons, and the chameleonic shades of piney blue-green and plum dance across artichokes.

Prepare to dive into the delicious world of Parisian food markets and cafes, learning how to order and chatting with local vendors on this Paris food tour for families.

Begin at a bakery bursting with flaky croissants and gooey pastries before moving into one of the most popular food markets in Paris, the outdoor Marché d’Aligre and the covered market, Marché Beauvau.

Here, the city comes alive with fresh produce, colorful flowers, and friendly vendors. Your expert will help you chat with the locals and provide a welcoming environment for young gourmands to learn the secrets behind the tastiest cheeses, charcuterie, and seasonal delights. Young culinary enthusiasts will lead the way in finding the ingredients needed to prepare a light family picnic.

After selecting items from the markets and shops, you’ll head to a charming Parisian corner for a small picnic. As you indulge in the flavors of Paris, your expert will share the storied history of French food markets. Children will learn how the French turned milk into butter, meat into pâté, and wheat into bread, and parents will appreciate insight into how the Parisian meal became a celebrated part of global cuisine.

Choose this tour if...

You want to see the world of French food come alive for your little one, perhaps sparking an interest in gastronomy and cooking.
You and your family would like to experience a bit of daily French life and want help breaking through the language barrier to get the most out of visiting a local market.
You are looking for a fun and hands-on activity for your kids during your visit to Paris and want to explore outside of the typical museums and monuments.

Sites Visited

Marché d'Aligre
Marché Beauvau
Various specialty shops around Marché d'Aligre

What You’ll Taste

Seasonal local fruits and vegetables
Artisan cheeses
Freshly baked goods, like croissant or traditional Italian cakes
French delicatessen items

Additional Trip-Planning Resources

A few things that pair well with this tour:

An empty belly and a hunger for knowledge
A few phrases in French, like un échantillon (a sample), Qu’est-ce que vous cherchez ? (What are you looking for?), or je voudrais (I would like). Don’t worry, your expert will lead the way.
Keep exploring with a tour through the hottest culinary trends in the Marais.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I participate in your small group food walks if I have food allergies?

Yes. If you have any specific allergies/intolerances, please indicate these in the Notes section when you're booking, and your guide will do his or her best to accommodate. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and nut-free diets can certainly be accommodated, although the shops we visit do use wheat flour and nuts in the kitchen for other items. Again, please make note of any dietary issues.

How old do the kids have to be to follow this tour?

Our Paris food tour with kids is designed for ages 3-12 years old.

Where do we meet? Where does it end?

The walk begins and ends in the 12th arrondissement near Bastille and stays within a concentrated area in the neighborhood. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with a map.

What if it’s raining?

Tours operate rain or shine, but in the case of inclement weather, your guide will modify the tour so more time is spent indoors. It never hurts to have an umbrella on hand.

Accessibility

We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Marché d'Aligre is fully accessible. Please contact us to discuss in more detail your mobility concerns so that we can best advise.

Cancellation Policy

Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.

Book a Tour

From iconic landmarks to tucked-away local favorites, these are the places you’ll explore and experience firsthand with your Expert.

Marché d'Aligre
Marché Beauvau
Various specialty shops around Marché d'Aligre

Here’s a look at what your tour covers, plus anything you’ll want to consider arranging separately, so you can plan with confidence.

Included

English-speaking expert guide
Tours led in English, offering you unbroken understanding throughout.
Intentionally sized groups
A smaller group means more time for conversations and questions.
Tickets and entrance fees
All entry tickets included (unless clearly stated otherwise).
Headsets
Headsets are included on tours that need them, so every word can be heard.

Not Included

Gratuities

We encourage tipping as a way to thank your guide after your experience.
Food and drink

Refreshments are only included during a tour when clearly noted.
Transportation to and from the meeting point

Unless noted, pre- and post-tour transport isn’t included - this service can be added by request.
Hotel pickup or drop-off

Unless noted, travel to or from accommodation isn’t included - this service can be added by request.

Map of Paris Market Tour for Kids general meeting point area

Some helpful advice for getting the most from your experience, from practical prep to small on-the-day tips.

Dos:

Wear comfortable footwear
Check the weather and dress appropriately
Bring a bottle of water (no glass)
Feel free to ask your Expert anything

Don'ts:

Bring firearms or weapons
Bring sharp objects (e.g. knives, swiss army knives, switchblades, hiking sticks)
Dress inappropriately to enter religious sites or sacred monuments

Any questions? You can always contact us.

75 Reviews

This tour was absolutely fabulous and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a unique Paris tour without a museum - instead your museum becomes the beauty and freshness of the Paris marketplace. Lisa, our guide, was so knowledgeable and was amazing to my 12 year old daughter who had an absolutely amazing time. She even commented by the end - "Why can't we have this type of market in the US" and "this was the best strawberry of my life." Thank you Context and MERCI MERCI MERCI Lisa for making this truly special with the picnic at the end.

Andrew Apr 24, 2026

Marie Alicia was AMAZING! We loved every second of her generous education and intentional engagement with our children. We would recommend this and her to anyone coming to Paris. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Kyle Nov 9, 2025

We LOVED this tour!! My 15 year old daughter and I had the best time with Michelle.

Lila Oct 16, 2025

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