In Paris, there are dozens and dozens of markets, much to our delight. And as the nursery rhyme by Henri Dès goes, “you can find everything, everything” there. But if there’s one place where this saying is especially true, it’s the Saint-Quentin market, simply because it is the largest in the capital. Under an impressive hall of metal, glass, and stone, a whole world awaits you!
A bit of history
The Saint-Quentin market was inaugurated in 1866 at 85 bis, boulevard Magenta. It features a huge triangular hall from the Second Empire, imagined by architect Victor Baltard, a true reference of the era (he is the creator of the famous Halles of Paris, which gives its name to the metro station, and only the famous Baltard pavilion remains today).Although today it is located between the Gare du Nord and the Gare de l’Est, the Saint-Quentin market, formerly known as the Saint-Laurent market, was originally situated a bit further south. It was moved to its current location as part of the construction of the boulevard de Strasbourg.
© Jagoda Bartus / Le Bonbon
A Whole World to Explore
Since then, this open market, running from Tuesday to Sunday, welcomes dozens of traders to offer you the very best. Butchers, fishmongers, greengrocers, cheesemongers, and other grocers stand alongside caterers of all kinds, who invite you on a true culinary journey around the world. Moroccan, Lebanese, Italian, Brazilian - these are genuine treasures that delight us with dishes to take away or enjoy on the spot, in a designated space under the enormous glass roof. In this friendly atmosphere, you can enjoy all the food stalls, but that's not all, as the market also hosts a florist, a bar/café, a cobbler, and a seamstress! The place...It's perfect for shopping for all kinds of goodies and treating yourself to a true moment of life in the heart of Paris!
© Jagoda Bartus / Le Bonbon