Bastille Market Is Jammed with Vendors and Patrons
Bonjour,
We are just ten minutes from the Bastille market and it’s such a fun Sunday morning excursion. During July, it was slightly off and then in August, it’s been almost not worth spending the time to visit. BUT yesterday! Wow, oh, wow, it was absolutely packed. Our theory was that French folks are all back from vacation and all in need of everything from the market. We even ran into our former neighbor, Chantal, who just returned on Saturday from her 3-week trip to an empty pantry and refrigerator.
We had a delightful time meandering through the crowds. I had good luck with some market goods for fall: a dress, scarf, and pair of shoes all for under 35 euros. It’s my kind of shopping.
I’ve said this before but the market is not just a visual experience; it’s a total sensory immersion. The fishy smells and the vendor cadences are as much a part of the ambiance as the sights. The only sense that will get you in trouble is touch. They do not like for you to finger the fruit!! It’s one of those idiosyncrasies that we’ve come to accept and respect. I tried to capture the crowds which was hard but I think you will get the picture.
For the afternoon, we made our way to what has always been a very good art market over near Montparnasse. It was still there but most disappointing, though I did purchase one Christmas present but not saying for whom!!!
We ate a quick dinner on the way back to the apartment and had three doggies in front of us at the café. Here’s the cutest one! 
So there’s always a price to pay, mais oui, for all the pleasure and fun. Today is housecleaning, bed-changing and other laundry. I’ve been at it since 6:30am and still going strong. You haven’t really traveled until you’ve tried to change a bed in France!!
Hope your new week is great!
L & B
August 29, 2022 @ 11:12 am
So much more fun to shop with you in Paris than at home!
August 29, 2022 @ 12:20 pm
Dollar to euro is almost the same which makes shopping so much less painful! First time ever!
August 29, 2022 @ 11:20 am
Wow! Your pictures and words truly transmitted the energy and sense of the Market. I loved looking at all the stalls and products. I’m happy for you that you found some bargains for yourself. You and Bernie are looking good!
August 29, 2022 @ 12:19 pm
Merci, Cindi!
August 29, 2022 @ 12:39 pm
Love your fashion finds. Can’t wait to see you donning them. That big straw hat would have topped it all off!!!
August 29, 2022 @ 12:49 pm
Nice pictures. Shopping in Paris looks like fun even though it’s crowded. Love the dress you bought.
August 29, 2022 @ 1:11 pm
yes the markets are terrific. I bought almost all my clothes in one market or another… Unless my mom was visiting, then I got to go into stores! but you’re wearing a jacket. I’ve heard that it is unbearably hot in Paris right now… I know in NYC the less clothes I have on, the better! A jacket? Never! at least not until mid Sept maybe… at this rate I expect to be sweating in December, so hot here. For the first year I lived in Paris, I loved buying food every day in the markets. And discussing the cut of meat or the freshness of the produce. Helped my French too. But that wore off, and I tried to buy enough to last for a while… Enjoy…
August 29, 2022 @ 5:34 pm
It was quite cool on Sunday morning like around 60 or so but then it zoomed upward throughout the day. Today the high was 85 I think.
August 29, 2022 @ 1:25 pm
You are such a gifted writer. I am transported there on that boisterous market, all senses engaged. What an interesting day. Thank you.
August 29, 2022 @ 1:26 pm
Loved the pictures of the market! And your purchases are wonderful. I’m curious to know what makes changing a bed in France so different! 😀 Your post increased my excitement – I’ll be there on Saturday!
August 29, 2022 @ 5:36 pm
I’ve never run into any fitted sheets here and the duvées are huge. I remove the pad because inserting that is like fighting a bear. We will have to replace it before we leave, however. It takes so long in our apartment machine…4 hours to wash and dry so for the large sheets, we went to the lavomatic.
August 29, 2022 @ 2:59 pm
Thank you for giving us a look at the market. I saw on Google that its open on Thursday and Sunday. I wonder why the Thursday — maybe upcoming weekend events to prepare for? Looks pretty crowded, how many blocks long would you think it is? Do they have knock-offs of name brand merchandise? Now that summer is coming to a close, do you see much of a change in the people on the streets? Lots of questions, just if you have a chance. Tks
August 29, 2022 @ 5:39 pm
Pat, I have never been to the market on any day but Sunday at the Bastille. I feel sure it is more of a market for the local surrounding area but I could be wrong. It’s four very long blocks long. For sure, no name brand merchandise. I see no change yet as there are still many, many tourists. Ha! We somehow don’t consider ourselves to fall into that category anymore but of course, we do.
August 29, 2022 @ 5:14 pm
I was riding down the street a while ago and ‘Surf City’ came across the air waves. I thought about the Bilbo’s dancing in the street, and it made me smile. How about giving them a big High 5 for me. Thank you
August 29, 2022 @ 7:31 pm
What an experience..Had to watch twice. Little bigger than Nativity Episcopal down town.market…….your photography is an excellent feel fo things……Km
August 30, 2022 @ 4:06 am
I have always been astounded in Europe at poultry and fish, even lapin, lying out at room temperature. We are so leery of that in this country…
August 30, 2022 @ 5:59 am
Well, the display stalls are covered iced down but on very hot days, I’m with you. I once got deathly sick from eating shrimp bought at a market on a very hot July day. The doctor in the ER here told me never to do that!
August 30, 2022 @ 8:02 am
60. wow! I cant remember back that far to when it was 60 here. That sounds positively cold! Recently I did some work in a place with strong AC, A co-worker mentioned that the last time I was there I said I would bring a sweater the next time. Well, I laughed and said no matter how cold the AC I am so hot all the time that I wont find it too cold now. Yes it was cold, but didnt bother me a bit, Loved it,,, Sept 1 is Thursday.. so cooler as opposed to hot maybe on the horizon! And Berthillon opens.. you. lucky people, a melangé could await!
August 31, 2022 @ 3:57 pm
Love the veggie and fruit stands. And, yes, same in London (all over Europe I guess), you touch nothing, you only point to what you want!! Haha. Well, I am glad to think that no one else has been “handling” what I end up buying I guess. I also love “traveling” with you.
September 14, 2022 @ 5:44 am
Love the scarf you got!! Want to see in person when you’re back. Noticed my purse lady too ☺️ Flowers are always beautiful 🌸 And I see you’re getting much use out of that market dress 👗