The best Paris markets: Aligre market

The Aligre Market is one of the most effervescent markets in Paris. Situated in the 12th district of Paris, this market is a place where you can get fresh fruits and vegetables, but also some incredible antique items, as well as products from Asia and Africa. The best moment to enjoy its incredible atmosphere is to go there on Sunday, for a morning stroll. And if it is sunny, and you are lucky enough to find a place on the terrace, don’t miss to have a drink or lunch in one of the cafés next to the Aligre Market.

The Aligre Market, Paris

Rue d'Aligre et, Place d'Aligre, 75012 Paris, France

History

Situated between the Place de la Bastille and the Place de la Nation, the Aligre Market (whose covered part is also known as the Beauvau-Saint-Antoine Market) was built in 1779 by Samson-Nicolas Lenoir, a French architect, on the land purchased from the nuns of the abbey of Saint-Antoine. The name of this market refers to Étienne François d'Aligre, who was the first president of the Parisian Parliament. The Beauvau-Saint-Antoine Market, the covered part of this one, got its name from Gabrielle-Charlotte de Beauvau, the last abbess of the convent Saint-Antoine-des-Champs. In 1843, Marc-Gabriel Jolivet, an architect of the City of Paris, rebuilt the market hall. In 2015, the covered part of the market was partly destroyed by fire, but it was renovated since then.

Le Baron Rouge bar

The Aligre Market is divided into two sections. The first section is the covered part that consists of three halls where you can find coffee shops, cheese and meat boutiques, as well as shops selling herbs and spices. The open-air part of this market is situated on the square and down the street d’Aligre. Here, you can find fresh fruits and vegetables, but also many antique shops selling vintage clothes, accessories and old books. In this market, you can also get some Indian, Asian and African products. But the Aligre Market is mostly known as a market with an incredible atmosphere. After shopping and strolling among the colorful stalls, take a break at the Baron Rouge. In this great bar, you can enjoy a glass of good red wine, and on Sundays, you can even order a plate of fresh and tasty oysters.     

Le Baron Rouge, Paris

1 Rue Théophile Roussel, 75012 Paris, France

Practical information

The Aligre Market, one of the best markets in Paris is open (the covered part of the market) from Tuesday to Friday from 9 am to 1 pm and from 4 pm to 7:30 pm, on Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm and from 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm, and on Sundays from 9 am to 1:30 pm. The open-air part of the market is open from Tuesday to Friday, from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm, while on Saturdays and Sundays from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm. The entrance is free of charge.