I don’t go very often to the Marché Bio at Boulevard Raspail (in the 6th, between Rue de Rennes & Rue du Cherche-Midi, every Sunday morning) even though it’s not far from me, mainly because it’s expensive and I can get most of the products at my own local bio (organic) boutique or the bio stand at the Auguste Blanqui market (Tues, Fri, Sun at M° Corvisart). Or maybe I just tell myself that because I’d find too many great things there, and I don’t have a €100/week organic food budget.
So when my friend offered to pick me up in his car last week on the way to Raspail, I put a €20 in my coat pocket and left the bank card at home. Wise move.
Raw chocolate, Stevia (full leaf or ground), trays of fresh wheatgrass, purple maize juice, plenty of yummy looking baked goods (no, not those muffins…I worked at a muffin shop once, the thrill is gone), and the fabulous selection of organic veggies was more than tempting.
It’s impossible to walk through the Raspail market without overhearing at least one person complain about the prices. This week I wish I had my camera ready to snap the expression on a woman’s face when told the bar of raw chocolate was €9. At least the accordion music was good for once, which was surprising considering how freezing cold it was on Easter Sunday in Paris.
I did end up taking home a loaf of excellent whole grain bread, a little container of fresh sheep’s milk butter, a bunch of carrots and some celery, and a new vegetable peeler to replace the sorry excuse of a peeler that came with my flat (and, I’m sure, is for lefties).
With my €20 gone and the crowds getting too thick to navigate (one huge guy in a motorcycle helmet shoving his way through the crowd turned out to be Gérard Depardieu, of course…this is the 6th after all), we made our way back to the car, miraculously not towed from its illegal spot.
Disclaimer: Yeah, I see the irony in driving to an organic market. I usually take the bus to the market, or the Vélib’ if I’m not buying too much. But my friend who drove is a chef and needed supplies for his cooking class, so it’s okay, right? 😉
My fingers were too cold to take more photos, so have a peek at some other wonderful blogs:
I LOVE this marche, though I tend to buy too much and eat too much…Je peux resister la tentation…merci carolg
Bartering at the Marché Raspail? I would never even try! Anyone else?
Hi there,Nice photo! This brings back thoughts of my own amazing experiences in the many Paris markets I visited. The sights of produce artistically arranged or perhaps the whiff of a hot paella steaming in the morning light, makes me want to revisit them today! As far as complaints about pricing, I guess that’s all part of bartering in some. Best wishes, Therese