There will always be that little old lady that arrived after you that will be pushy and get served before you. The French aren’t masters at making lines and at the marché, this goes double. That’ll save you the embarrassment of mispronouncing a word beyond comprehension. And run the pronunciation by a French person if you can. Make sure you know all the vocabulary for the seasonal produce you’re looking to buy. There’s nothing worse than being asked to repeat yourself several times as the 10 French people around you turn to see where the voice is coming from. If you have an accent and are used to speaking quietly, make sure you really speak up so the vendor can hear what you’re ordering. You’ll also get the best selection, not to mention it’s easier to be understood when you don’t have to yell over the din of the other people talking around you. Within an hour of the marché opening should be fine. Sometimes you’ll even see a sign that says “We’re happy to serve you” meaning please keep your paws off our produce! Go early.Īrrive early just after the marché opens to beat the crowds (read: less chance to embarrass yourself in front of others). You can usually select which butternut squash you want (or other large veggies), but just point. Unless you know it’s absolutely OK to touch the produce and select it yourself (seeing others do it does not mean it’s OK), let the vendor pick up the actual fruit for you. Do a little tour of the marché before you buy to see whose melons look the freshest and whose prices are the most competitive. Many vendors sell the same items which means prices and quality vary. And if you want to feel extra authentic, buy yourself a wicker basket for all your fresh produce. Always bring your reusable grocery store bags or granny shopping cart. My beginner tips below on how to survive the French marché ( find one nearby here) will have you feeling like a pro in no time: Don’t forget your bag or basket.įrench vendors rarely give you a bag and if they do, it’s a little flimsy plastic thing that might break anyway. If your market is on the large side and chaotic, don’t stress! Depending on where you live, the marché might be a winding maze of bustling stalls or laid back and small. The marché is the French version of a farmers’ market and THE place to stock up on produce, eggs, cheese, bread and more. So if you’re visiting France for the first time and want to browse your local market or have just moved and don’t have a clue, read on for my tips on how to be prepared at the French marché. Sometimes it’s a cultural faux pas and other times it’s in the language, but today, I’m putting a stop to that - at least at the French marché. As foreigners, we sometimes embarrass ourselves and if you’re me, that happens more than you’d like to admit.
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