Hands down, Marche des Enfants Rouges is one of the best food markets in all of Paris. With food vendors making and sharing food from all over the world, it’s a must visit attraction in Paris – especially if you’re a foodie.
This covered market was built in 1615 and it Paris’s oldest food market. Located in The Marais, the name “Enfants Rouges” means “red children” and comes from an orphanage that was next door where the children were dressed in red coats. The market was closed and then re-opened in the 1990s. Today, it’s a bustling market where one stops to eat, grab food to go, or simply pick up flowers from one of the flower shops inside.
A Complete Guide to Marche des Enfants Rouges – The Best Food Market in Paris
For more restaurants to eat at in Paris, don’t miss: The Best Restaurants in Paris
The Best Restaurants in Marche des Enfants Rouges
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- Chez Jeanphi
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- The Butcher of Paris
Food from around the world is offered here, making it a great option for those looking to stray from French food or for those looking to sample different cuisines from around the world. The way I see it is you can go and treat it as a restaurant, sitting at one place and eating your entire meal. Or if you have the time, head to a couple different places sampling small plates along the way.
The restaurants in the market are incredible, and oftentimes there’s a queue. But don’t worry, grab a glass of wine, wait it out, and I promise it’ll be worth it.
BiBoViNo
BiBoViNo is a wine bar and the perfect place to grab a bottle of wine before taking your taste buds on a treat around the market. It’s also the perfect place for small French delicacies like pâté and French cheeses.
CHEZ ALAIN MIAM MIAM
Chez Alain is a popular sandwich stop, often with a long queue, and once you get your hands on one of their sandwiches, you’ll see why! The sandwiches offered on the menu showcase the best meats and cheeses in France, encased in delicious French bread with minimal toppings.
If the line is too long or you’d rather sit in a bigger space, know that there’s also a Chez Alain Miam Miam restaurant, outside of the market just down the street. But don’t be fooled, this restaurant ofttimes comes with a long queue too!
CHEZ JEANPHI
One of the things that I like about Chez Jeanphi (aside from the warm, stuffed pitas) is that this is a restaurant that backs up to the market so there are many more seating options. You can be seated in the bustling market or in the quieter restaurant.
As I mentioned earlier, Chez Jeanphi serves amazing, warm, stuffed pitas and sides like truffle fries and hummus. If you’re doing a “food tour” of the market, it’s a great place to stop and split a pita with someone before venturing on to another restaurant.
THE BUTCHER OF PARIS
As you could probably guess, The Butcher of Paris is a strictly meat restaurant and the perfect spot for a charcuterie board and glass of wine. I will say however, it’s very expensive and might be a bit overpriced for what you get. But if you’re looking for French meats, this is the place to go.
Where is Marche des Enfants Rouges?
Marche des Enfants Rouges is located in the third arrondissement of Paris, known as The Marais. Located off of an unassuming street, Rue de Bretagne, you would be surprised to find such a lively, bustling market here. If you’re taking the metro to the area, the line you want to get on is the 8, and get off at Filles du Calvaire. Alternatively, you could also take the 4, getting off at Reaumur – Sebastopol, or the 3, getting off at Arts et Metiers.
The Marais is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Paris! Read about it here.
The Best Time to Visit the Market
Of course, the best time to visit Marche des Enfants Rouges is during the week and early in the day. I would avoid going around lunch/dinner time if possible, to avoid the crowds. It’s also important to note that the market changes days its open and hours open depending on the season. So make sure to look up opening hours before you visit!
If your only option is to visit during the busy times of lunch/dinner and on the weekends, it’s still well worth it. Just expect to wait in long lines and for the market to be crowded.
Tourist Tips
As always, being a tourist in a tourist-heavy spot can come with risks. Like any other tourist spot you might visit, make sure to keep your valuables in your front pockets or in a closed purse. Don’t leave your purse on the back of your chair, and mind where your phone is at all times. (I don’t suggest leaving your phone out on a table for risk of someone snatching it). The market takes credit/debit cards so you don’t need cash on hand, although they accept cash too.
If you’re visiting Paris, especially if you’re a foodie, I highly recommend a visit to Marche des Enfants Rouges. It’s a fun way to spend your day tasting cuisines from around the world while being in the heart of Paris.
If you’re traveling to Paris, don’t miss: The Best Cocktail Bars in Paris
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Kylee is a Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU) nurse passionate about making travel affordable and accessible to nurses. Inspiring nurses to travel both near and far, Kylee began Passports and Preemies in 2017 while volunteering in Skopje, North Macedonia as a way to reach nurses and advocate for the prevention of nurse burnout by traveling. Kylee is the original creator of the “8 Day Vacay” – a vacation geared towards nurses who aim to take advantage of the potentially 8 days off between work weeks with no need to use PTO.
