FOOD & WINE

Market Visit – President Wilson Market in Paris

Published on: May 26, 2014 | Last Updated on August 10, 2019
Coquille St. Jacques de Plongee (diver scallops)

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

Fragrant framboises, among the many fruits and berries

Fragrant framboises, among the many fruits and berries

Small saucisson (sausages)

Small saucisson (sausages)

One of many varieties of olives

One of many varieties of olives, these with red pepper

Even the vendors look Parisienne

Even the vendors look Parisienne

Artisan potato chips

Artisanal potato chips

One of many fishmongers

Snails from one of many fishmongers

Fresh ray fish from the coast

Fresh ray fish from the coast

Crevette rose (prawns)

Crevette rose (prawns)

Beautifully presented salmon

Beautifully presented salmon

Chapon (scorpian) fish often used in boulabaisse

Chapon (scorpian) fish, often used in boulabaisse

Pinneaux a Encornets

Pinneaux a Encornets (squid rings)

Fresh flowers

Fresh flowers

feuilleté au canard (duck in puff pastry)

Feuilleté au canard (duck in puff pastry)

Baguettes

Baguettes

Piece de resistance - Foie Gras Lady - Yes, we stopped for a taste

Piece de resistance – Foie Gras Lady – Yes, we stopped for a taste


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


  • Reply
    Alexandra
    May 26, 2014 at 8:11 am

    This post made me nostalgic for France. I used to shop at the open market twice a week. It smelled so incredible, fresh apricots, peaches, flowers, etc.

    • Reply
      Irene S. Levine
      May 26, 2014 at 8:17 am

      I can certainly understand your nostalgia, Alexandra. It seems like everyone in France can take advantage of pulic markets. In my region in the US, farmers markets can only be afforded by the wealthy.

  • Reply
    Donna Janke
    May 26, 2014 at 9:33 am

    This market looks very inviting. I especially liked the fish pictures. I haven’t seen much fish in open air markets in North America.

    • Reply
      Irene S. Levine
      May 26, 2014 at 10:14 am

      I was surprised at the large number of fishmongers (poissonniers). Everything looked so fresh and appealing~

  • Reply
    Jan Ross
    May 26, 2014 at 9:55 am

    That looks wonderful! We are fortunate in Lexington, Kentucky to have several local farmers markets and it’s one of my favorite things about summer starting. Nothing like fresh tomatoes and corn in the summer!

    • Reply
      Irene S. Levine
      May 26, 2014 at 10:11 am

      Tomatoes are one of my farmer’s markets favorites, too, Jan!

  • Reply
    santafetraveler
    May 26, 2014 at 10:46 am

    OMG! i would go crazy at the President Wilson Market. It looks incredible. Thanks for sharing it.

  • Reply
    Michele Peterson
    May 26, 2014 at 11:18 am

    What a mouth-watering post! Between the duck in puff pastry and the perfect Pinneaux a Encornets, I’d spend a fortune at President Woodrow Wilson Market. I’ve never been to the 16th arrondissement but it sure sounds worth visiting

  • Reply
    Neva @ Retire for the Fun of it
    May 26, 2014 at 12:43 pm

    The farmers markets in Utah are so basic in comparison to your delightful story and photos. I found it interesting that so much is raw and fresh, but then there’s the duck in puff pastry! I recently ate at a French style restaurant and the duck was lost in the sauce.

    I’m going to Europe in a few weeks and I think I’ll find the open air markets are the gems a tourist should visit.

    • Reply
      Irene S. Levine
      May 26, 2014 at 5:14 pm

      No matter what arrondissement you find yourself in, you’ll have your choice. Be sure to check out the online lists~

  • Reply
    Michelle
    May 26, 2014 at 2:54 pm

    Great! Now I have another reason to revisit Paris – like I really needed one 😉 I don’t think I’ve ever been in this area of the city so I must check it out. LOVE your photos!

  • Reply
    Carole Terwilliger Meyers
    May 26, 2014 at 4:26 pm

    What yummy photos! My fave to buy is the olives.

    • Reply
      Irene S. Levine
      May 26, 2014 at 5:16 pm

      I’ll pass your compliments on to the photographer:-)

  • Reply
    Jackie Smith
    May 26, 2014 at 8:05 pm

    Nothing I like more than a French marche and we’ve not been to this one. I’ll be referring to this post when we get back to Paris. Most interesting post – thanks Irene!

  • Reply
    memographer
    May 26, 2014 at 10:12 pm

    I love to photograph markets, and this post clearly tells why 🙂

  • Reply
    Debra Borchert
    May 27, 2014 at 10:15 am

    Wonderful photos. Wonderful descriptions. This market is on my list!
    Thanks

  • Reply
    Kristin Henning
    May 27, 2014 at 3:44 pm

    mmmm, raspberries!

  • Reply
    Suzette Barnett
    May 27, 2014 at 6:52 pm

    Thanks Irene! I love open air markets and I fell in love with several in Amsterdam recently. My trips to Paris never offered me a Parisian outdoor market experience, so now I know where to find it! Everything in the photos looks so pristine… Suzette, trysomethingfun.com

  • Reply
    Lisa Richardson
    May 27, 2014 at 9:17 pm

    gotta love it! France (and apparently, Paris) is la piece de la resistance! thank you for the visuals and the commentary.

  • Reply
    Suzanne Fluhr
    May 28, 2014 at 2:02 am

    Irene, your photos practically jump off the page—and I wish they had because now I’m starving!

  • Reply
    Corinne
    May 28, 2014 at 6:17 am

    Irene, I love a French market. You can go and get ready made foods or all the fresh ingredients to cook a gourmet meal. Oh, and everyone should grab a handful of a variety of the mini-saucissons….so delicious…well, except for the goat!

  • Reply
    [email protected]
    May 29, 2014 at 8:09 pm

    Fabulous pics! And thanks for the nostalgic reminder of my long ago days going to school (with my 2 young daughters) in France. I love markets the world over (and we have some doozies here in Ecuador!). But I do believe France has the most delectable of all!

    • Reply
      Irene S. Levine
      May 29, 2014 at 8:42 pm

      So glad you enjoyed the pictures. They don’t even do it justice!

  • Reply
    Jo
    May 30, 2014 at 6:10 pm

    I adore Paris markets, and this is one I’ve not been to. On the list for next time!

    • Reply
      Irene S. Levine
      May 31, 2014 at 8:18 am

      Glad I could expand your repertoire, Jo! Paris is a place that makes you always think about “next time.”

  • Reply
    Cathy Sweeney
    June 2, 2014 at 12:40 am

    Wonderful market for me to put on the list for next Paris visit! I visited a few markets, including Marché Maubert, one of the oldest in Paris. Not only are there so many wonderful foods, flowers and other treasures, but I get that “living like a local” feeling while I’m browsing around.

    • Reply
      Irene S. Levine
      June 2, 2014 at 9:55 am

      Does it tempt you to “live like a local”? I often feel that way when we are someplace beautiful.

  • Reply
    alison @greenwithrenvy
    June 2, 2014 at 9:51 am

    Oh Irene-you had me at the scallops. They look like beautiful pieces of jewelry! Given the opportunity, I would shop there everyday, how could you not cook an amazing meal after being inspired by all those fresh ingredients.

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