Embark on a foodie journey to one of the most popular food markets in Paris, Marché d’Aligre and the associated covered market, Marché Beauvau. On this family-friendly tour with a local chef or food expert, we’ll enjoy one of the greatest pleasures of being in France. From freshly baked croissants and homemade madeleines to seasonal fruits and vegetables, mild cheeses, and carefully selected delicacies, we’ll be buzzing around food stalls and mingling with locals.

Every morning, not far from the Place de la Bastille (symbol of the French revolution), locals rush to the Aligre neighborhood to join the joyous atmosphere of this farmers’ market, dubbed the Second Belly of Paris. Our young chefs will be given the task of searching out a list of selected ingredients needed to prepare a light seasonal lunch/picnic for the whole family. We will start our tour early in the morning to see the vendors preparing their stalls and chat with them about the quality and origin of their products, before selecting a few items to try. Together, we’ll unveil the long history of French food markets, dating from the dawn of time (5th century) when Paris was still called Lutetia, and learn how the French turned milk into butter, meat into pâté, wheat into bread, and how their gastronomic meal became a celebrated part of global cuisine.

By the end of the tour, we’ll have a better understanding of French traditions and culinary habits, and get to enjoy a family picnic and stories that will inspire our young foodies to try new things and feel proud of what they eat.

Please note any food allergies or intolerances in the Notes box when booking.

Families would also enjoy our Louvre for Kids Tour, Musée d'Orsay for Kids Tour specifically tailored for our young participants. We also organize a Versailles Tour for Kids which is an excellent family excursion from Paris.

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 Family Food Tour is designed for kids aged 3-12 years old.

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.

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.