Market Visit – President Wilson Market in Paris

President Wilson Market (Marche Ave du President Wilson), the largest open-air market in Paris, is located in a wealthy residential area in the 16^th arrondissement.

Many blocks long, this quintessential French market is recognized for the quality of its products as well as its discriminating shoppers. When the authoritative chef and baker, David Lebovitz (who lives in Paris, and is a prominent blogger and author of six books) had it on his list of favorites, we thought we should take a look.

A quick digression: There are so many markets in Paris that online lists are usually organized by arrondissement. These include both street markets that are permanent and temporary ones like President Wilson Market, called a Marché Volant (literally, a flying market). Temporary markets generally come together several times a week as vendors pull up with their white trucks early in the morning and set up stalls for shoppers. From the perspective of a bystander, the work entailed in set-up and takedown alone is daunting.

At the President Wilson Market, there are multiple stands with a wide array of prepared foods, cheese, produce, fish, breads and pastries, olives, dried fruits and flowers as well as some less interesting dry goods. Many of the products had signage that made them easier for us to identify and translate afterwards.

First-timers may want to walk up and down the market before they buy (although you may have to battle crowds) because multiple stands sell many of the same products. One of the most unique produce vendors comes from a long line of maraîchers (market gardeners). Joel Thiebault, is known for his heirloom tomatoes, which are among the most sought after by many Michelin-starred chefs.

Here is a glimpse of some of the lovely stands that typify the President Wilson Market:

---

IF YOU GO

• The President Woodrow Wilson Market (Marche Ave du President Wilson) is located on Woodrow Wilson Boulevard between Rue Debrousse and Place d’Iéna. By train, it sits near Metro Line 9, between the Alma-Marceua and Iéna stations.

• Some refer to this market as the “Marche du Pont de Alma.”

• The market is open between 7AM-2:30PM on Wednesdays and 7AM-3PM on Saturdays. It’s only a stone’s throw from the Hotel Shangri-La Paris and the Trocadero.

---

Other photos and stories about public markets on MoreTimeToTravel.com

• Market Visit – Mercado 23 in Cancun
• Public markets offer a taste of a city and its culture
• Tips for visiting public markets
• Market Visit – Coquimbo Fish Market in Chile
• Great markets travel writers love to visit

---