Paris Watch
No Fleas, Some Sashimi At Paris Open-Air Markets
By KIKI YOSHIDA
|
|
刺身も手に入るパリの市場
マーケットはパリジャンの生活に欠かせません。旬の野菜から刺身用の魚、古着、古切手、家具まで、あらゆるものが手に入り、最近は、自然食品を売る市場も人気を集めているようです。今回は、お勧めの市場や市場での買い物術などを紹介します。
|
I do my daily shopping at supermarkets, but sometimes I
enjoy going to open-air markets. In Paris, we have a
great number of these markets open every day. There are
both permanent open-air markets and temporary ones.
There's one market near my place which I frequent.
It is held on Tuesdays and Fridays. The market in the
Bastille, held on Thursdays and Sundays, is one of my
favorites as well.
When I look around at what is available at the market,
I realize that France is rich in seasonal foods. If you
go, here are some tips to make your visit enjoyable.
First of all, you can't pay with your credit card, so
prepare coins before leaving. Take a big bag with you to
avoid accumulating many small plastic bags during
your shopping. It's convenient if you have one.
Try to talk to the merchants. They will give you good
advice on how to prepare the food. Most fishmongers
know that Japanese love fish. You can start a
conversation about Japanese cuisine; sashimi, for
example. Since Japanese food is gaining popularity in
France, sashimi is a well-known word. I didn't know this
until one of my Japanese friends taught me that we could
ask a fishmonger to select fish for sashimi.
I never buy fish for sashimi in a supermarket because
I don't know how fresh it is. That's one of the
advantages of visiting a market. Sashimi a la maison
(sashimi at home), in Paris!
While you browse the stalls, don't forget to check
your wallet. You never know when someone is waiting for
a chance to pick your pocket!
Pay a visit to flea markets, too. Flea markets
originated from the sales of second-hand goods by
French tradesmen in the 19th century. The term "flea
market" was derived from the French "marche aux
puces," (market of fleas) which refers to the
parasites that were often found in the garments
bought at these markets.
Marche de la Porte de Clignancourt is the largest and
most overwhelming of all Paris flea markets. However,
this is where you've got to be the most careful of
pickpockets.
Every day there are between 2,500 and 3,500 stalls and
shops, ranging from antiques to modern gadgets. You can
find vintage clothes, as well as beautiful
furniture.
There are specialized markets as well. Visit Ile de
la Cite for flower (daily) and bird markets (Sundays).
Or, if you are a stamp collector, you've got to hurry to
marche aux timbres at Rond Point Clemenceau, 75008, on
Sundays. Even if you aren't interested in stamps, it is
quite a sight to see all the old and rare ones.
In all of these markets, unless you are encouraged to do
so, you should not touch the merchandise.
There are also special organic markets. These markets
sell organically grown fruits and vegetables, homemade
bread, farm-raised chicken, wine and coffee, etc.
With time, more and more people are starting to buy
organic food. Although France's organic industry lags
behind the rest of the EU, there has been an increase in
demand for organic produce.
In France, organic food is called simply "bio." Due
to the recent panic caused by contaminated beef,
bio-food has gotten a lot of attention. People prefer to
pay more money for safer food. As we know well enough,
there's no price for our health. But still, the high
price of bio is an obstacle for a majority of people.
Currently, bio costs 20-100 percent more than
traditional food, depending on the product. Ordinary
lettuce, for example, costs about 2.30F (¥40) while the
organic version costs 7.80F (¥133).
The most famous organic market is held along
Boulevard Raspail. Actors and musicians who live in the
neighborhood are regular customers. You might even pass
someone famous on the street.
It's said that it's better to go early in the morning to
the market to get the best food. That's certainly true.
However, it's also equally interesting to visit a market
around two or three o'clock when they start closing. Many
merchants want to sell all of their merchandise,
especially those who sell fresh products.
On market days, the cafソ along the street is crowded
with visitors as well as merchants. A cup of strong
espresso warms you up and rouses you to go out for more
browsing. You need it especially on a freezing winter
morning. I bet you'll feel very Parisian in this
energetic atmosphere!
Shukan ST: Feb. 2, 2001
(C) All rights reserved
|