Always open-air, sometimes organic at Le Marché Raspail

Sunday is market day in Paris, but so is Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. It's really whenever I have a chance to wander through one that I do. And my gosh how I feel so quintessentially French!

Last week, I ventured to Boulevard Raspail in the 6e arrondissement. This easily accessible market runs in the median of the busy street, flanked by lush trees and Haussmann-style buildings. Although it's mostly  food market (and an amazing one at that), a few friendly vendors sell handbags, sweaters, flowers, or housewares instead.

"In the early 1900s, a movement to disband covered market led to the creation of this open-air food market," (Markets of Paris). More recently, another  movement has transformed this market into the largest and most popular organic market on Sundays. Come by after noon for a cheaper produce prices and for tastings of natural wines at Julien Caviste's stand.

Le Marché Raspail
Où? Boulevard Raspail from rue Cherche-Midi to rue de Rennes, 75006 Paris
Quand? Tuesday & Friday, 8am-1:30pm; Sunday, 8am-3pm (organic produce)
Comment? Metro Rennes

Musée national du Moyen Age

We had a very rainy morning in Paris last Thursday. Usually, this wouldn't be much of a problem; I'd put on my boots and raincoat, grab an umbrella, and duck into the nearest café to study... or, I'd just be in class. As it was, I had class, but the professor proposed a 2-hour scavenger hunt through the Latin Quarter. Had the weather been nice I would've appreciated it. Since the weather was not, I couldn't wait for it to end at Cluny. What an exquisite historical retreat!

Musée national du Moyen Age

Où? Hôtel de Cluny, 6, place Paul Painlevé 75005 Paris

Quand? Monday, Wednesday-Sunday, 9:15am-5:45pm

Comment? Métro Cluny-La Sorbonne, Saint-Michel, Odéon; Bus 21, 27, 38, 63, 85, 86, 87; RER Saint-Michel, La Sorbonne

The Booksellers on the Seine

The most frustrating thing about being in a city with so many amazing markets is that it's nearly impossible to visit each one. If nothing else, food, flea, and craft markets aren't open all day, every day... and vendors take well-deserved lunch breaks. Luckily, as long as its not a Monday, there are the booksellers on the Seine. They've been there since the mid-sixteenth century. Strolling by is a always a worthwhile experience, no matter which bank you're on. You just might find a secondhand book, vintage poster, or old magazine that strikes your fancy.

Booksellers on the Seine

Où? quai du Louvre to quai des Célestins, Paris 75004; quai Voltaire to quai de la Tournelle, Paris 75006

Quand? Tuesday-Friday, 2pm-6pm; Saturday-Sunday, 11am-6pm (9:30am-7pm in the summer)

Comment? Your own two feet, I hope!