Get the most out of your French Market experience with this helpful guide.
Visiting a French market is a great experience, however there is a certain etiquette to note. This guide will identify the French Market etiquette so that you have the best experience possible and you understand what is expected.
I don’t know about you, but anytime we’re in a city or village on market day, it makes me so happy! There’s just something about going to the market every day or two to get fresh, in-season produce, flowers and other goods. I wish we had that same options in my area, but we just don’t.
If you’ve ever been to a French Market, I’m sure you’ve probably picked up on a couple of things that locals do and do not do. Or, if you’ve never been, my hope is that you may learn some things when you do make it to a French Market. They are quite lovely and it’s a fun experience, but knowing some French market etiquette will be invaluable.
Here are a few things to know before you go…
Greetings
- As with ANY shop/place of business in France, ALWAYS greet the employee(s) with a simple “Bonjour.” It’s not only common courtesy, but is really an expectation in their culture. The same goes for s’il vous plaît (please), merci (thank you), and au revoir (good bye). You will be appreciated for making an effort even if your French is minimal.
Bring your own bags
- France is very conscious of the environment and they do a great job of reducing, reusing and recycling. My point in sharing this is that you must bring your own bags to the market. Even supermarchés (supermarkets) expect shoppers to bring their own bags, or there are some for purchase at checkout. These are very common for local market goers. I prefer the traditional French Market bag (as shown below). Here is one that is similar to the one I bought in France.
Do not touch the produce without asking
- You may be accustomed to picking up apples to inspect them before putting them in your cart, but in France, it is different. The vendors are proud of their produce and other products and they don’t want everyone walking by to handle them. This can cause damage and blemishes, aside from the fact that people are putting their hands on it.
- If you would like to purchase something, you can point to what you want, and they will get it for you. You may even see signs that say, “Merci de ne pas toucher” (Thank you for not touching).
- You may be asked to pick the specific item(s) you want, but please do not do so until you are asked to.
Ask for Recommendations
- I have often noticed that shoppers will explain what they want the produce for. For example, when I took a cooking class in Paris, the chef told the vendor what he was going to make with the pommes de terre (potatoes) and the vendor selected the specific type of potato that would be best. How cool is that? Don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations because they are the experts.
Know the Market Hours
- Earlier is better – It’s common sense, but the earlier you shop, the more variety and best choices you will have. This is especially important if you’re looking for something that is more rare or not very plentiful. Shopping early definitely has its advantages.
- Knowing when the market closes is just as important to ensure you don’t miss out. They are usually open for 3-5 hours depending on the area and the day of the week. If you go near closing time, you may be out of luck in getting everything you need.
Payment
- From my experience, cash is most preferred, if not the only acceptable form of payment. There are some vendors that will accept credit cards, but I would highly suggest bringing cash to avoid disappointment.
- Also, a lot of times your market purchase is a small euro amount, therefore the vendors will appreciate payment in cash. I’ve also seen where there is a minimum purchase amount for them to accept credit card payment.
- Unlike les puces (flea markets), haggling isn’t customary at the fresh markets.
Samples
- You may see vendors offering samples of their fresh produce, frommages (cheeses), saucissons (sausages), etcetera. It is considered polite to try them, but you don’t have to.
Browse before buying
- If the market is large, this may not be necessary or efficient, but if the market is rather small, it’s a good idea to browse the aisles and stalls to see what is offered, see if the quality is different, and compare prices. It’s smart shopping!
ENJOY!
- There’s just something satisfying about purchasing local, fresh fruits and veggies. I love finding things that I never see in my local supermarket and especially the fresh figs in the fall. They are some of my favorites to purchase!
- I also love the displays. From the fresh fish, to colorful vibrant produce, to the cheese selections. The French take pride in their products and they are often very picture-worthy! (Trust me, I’ve taken SEVERAL pics of fresh markets over the years).
- If you are planning your first trip to Paris or anywhere else in France, checkout this post for additional helpful information.
I hope you have the opportunity to check out a French market, if you haven’t already. It is a real treat to experience. If you have been, I would love to hear about your experience in the Comments.
Merci for stopping by! À la prochaine…
Allons faire un tour…
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