Dish about Paris

It is virtually impossible to sample the best of Paris in one year, let alone one day, but for a simple and inexpensive introduction to French cuisine, start the day early with a visit to one of Paris’ dozens of open-air fresh produce markets.

Morning

Where you head after your arrival at Gare du Nord depends on the day of the week. Batignolles Market sells organic produce and ready made food, Saxe Breteuil Market is close to the Eiffel Tower so you can shop with a view and for a huge selection, try Bastille Market, the city’s largest. For a perfect combination of restaurants, boulangeries, charcuteries, delicatessens, patisseries and an outdoor market, venture to the rue Cler Market.

Lunch

So many choices, so little time. Instead of trying to dine at the newest three-hat Michelin restaurant, veer on to a side street and venture into any local bistro -- just make sure there is no tourist menu and nothing translated into English. Take the plunge on the Plat de Jour and depending on the season, you could be tucking into a delicious dish of rabbit cassoulet, duck confit or coq au vin.

Afternoon

For a touch of utter decadence, drop by Fauchon to sample some of the world’s most luxurious caviar, foie gras, chocolates, cakes, pastries, coffees and teas.

If you are short on time and want to leave the menu decisions to an expert, take an afternoon guided tour with Rosa Jackson from Edible Paris. She’ll custom design your tour to suit your palate -- cheese or chocolate, venison or vegetables, pastries to poisson.

Don’t forget to take a doggy bag home for your pampered pooch, in the form of a designer dog biscuit or perhaps a carob ‘Pupcake’ from Mon Bon Chien -- a gourmet doggie bakery.

Details:

Saxe Breteuil Market

• Thursdays and Saturdays
• avenue de Saxe, from avenue de Ségur to the place Breteuil
• Métro Ségur or La Motte Piquet

Bastille Market

• Thursdays and Sundays
• boulevard Richard Lenoir, from rue Amelot to rue St Sabin
• Métro Bastille

Batignolles Market

• Saturdays
• boulevard des Batignolles
• Métro Place de Clichy/Rome

Market Rue Cler

• Sundays
• rue Cler from La Motte Piquet
• Métro Ecole Militaire

Fauchon 

• 30, place Madeleine
• 75008 Paris.
• Tel. +33/1-4265-1760
• Métro Madeleine

A private half-day personalized Edible Paris tour for one person is €300 or €150 euros each for 2-3 people, €100 for 4-6 people

Mon Bon Chien Dog Bakery 

• 12, rue Mademoiselle
• 75015 Paris.
• Tel. +33/1-4828-4012

Useful Links:

• www.fauchon.com

• www.edible-paris.com

• www.mon-bon-chien-paris.com