Paris-Pas-Cher: Mindful Consumption, or How to Eat and Shop Smarter While in Paris
Mindful consumption, as opposed to mindless consumption, is all about valuing craftsmanship and local sourcing rather than endless and repetitive consumerism. Even in a big capital city like Paris, there are ways to limit our often frenetic consumption habits and turn to locally-sourced markets and smaller and more sustainable companies. Looking for good addresses to start consuming smarter? We got you covered!
Alternative daily life products sources:
- Farmers’ Markets
- Cooperatives and independent local producers
- Bulk products suppliers
- Zero-waste stores and restaurants
Indoor Markets & Stores
The Naked Shop
This small, locally sourced cosmetics and household supply shop advocates for “zero waste” consumption. You will find all sorts of products, from solid shampoo and toothpaste, oils, as well as reusable cotton pads or even menstrual cups and razors.
75, Rue Oberkampf, 75011 Paris (Sun-Mon: closed / Tue-Fri: 11:00am-8:00pm / Sat: 10:30am-7:30pm). Metro: Oberkampf.
La Louve
A cooperative supermarket in the 18th. Social activities (conferences, workshops). Wide selection of organic and artisanal or local products. Every member must work for hours per month in order to shop at the store.
116, Rue des Poissonniers, 75018 Paris (Tue-Sat: 9:00am-9:00pm / Sun: 9:00am-1:00pm). Metro: Simplon
Vin en Vrac
En Vrac is a wine and spirit retailer where you will find tanks and glass containers filled with a wide selction of Williams Pear, Raspberry Wild, Vodka, Agricultural Rum, etc. Bring your own reusable container and help youself!
PS: it’s also a bar that turns into a cozy brunch place on Sundays.
2, Rue de l’Olive, 75018 Paris (Mon-Sun: 10:00am/12:00am)
Online shops & Apps
Kelbongoo
Vegetables, cheeses, fruits and poultry directly from farm of Picardy.
You order your goods online and then pick up your fresh goods a few days later from your local store. There are 2 distributions per week, Saturday from 9am to 4pm and Wednesday from 1:15pm to 8:15pm. At these locations:
- Paris 20: Kelbongoo Saint Blaise – 47 rue saint Blaise
- Paris 20: Kelbongoo Borrégo – 18 rue du Borrégo
- Paris 10: Kelbongoo Bichat – 3bis rue Bichat
TooGoodToGo
An app that has been created to fight food waste. The app is connected with a variety of restaurants and supermarkets all around Paris. It offers cheap options of food that has not been sold or is unlikely to get sold. You simply choose a place and what sort of food you would like. And then pick up at the chosen time.
Seazon
Seazon provides meals of a varied, balanced diet suitable for everyone.
You simply choose your dishes for the week, they then cook and deliver to you once a week. The menu changes weekly and they also offer many vegetarian options. Planning your meals in advance is a great way to avoid unnecessary waste of food and money.
Outdoor Markets
In Paris
Marché Aligre
One of the biggest markets of Paris, the Aligre market is divided into two sections and is held 6 days a week. The 3 beautiful covered halls house many food stalls and various stores, while the uncovered section opens out onto a square where you will find another food section as well as antique sellers.
Rue d’Aligre & Place d’Aligre, 75012 Paris (Covered market: Tue-Fri: 9:00am-1:00pm, 4:00pm-7:30pm / Sat: 9:00am-1:00pm, 3:30pm-7:30pm / Sun: 9:00am-1:30pm. Outdoor market: Tue-Fri: 7:30am-1:30pm / Sat-Sun: 7:30am-2:30pm). Metro: Ledru-Rollin
Marché des Enfants Rouges
Created in 1615, the oldest Parisian food market hasn’t aged a bit! Lots of fresh products at these stalls full of colour and fragrance.
39, Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris (Tue-Sat: 8:30am-8:30pm / Sun: 8:30am-5:00pm). Metro: Filles du Calvaire
Marché Brancusi (biological market)
Located near the Tour Montparnasse, the Brancusi organic market offers fruits, vegetables, cakes and pastries, butter, cheese and fish, all organic.
Place Constantin Brancusi, 75014 Paris (Sat: 9:00am-3:00pm). Metro: Gaîté
Marché Raspail (biological market)
Close to the famous and very fancy Bon Marché Rive Gauche, the Raspail organic market offers fruits, vegetables, eggs, butter, cheese, meat and fish, all organic.
Boulevard Raspail, 75006 Paris (Sun: 9:00am-3:00pm). Metro: Notre Dame des Champs
Marché des Batignolles (biological market)
This is most Parisian’s farvorite. The various market stands offer organic food such as vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, as well as soap, flowers, etc. — all organic.
34, Boulevard des Batignolles, 75008 Paris (Sat: 9:00am-3:00pm). Metro: Place de Clichy
Marché sur l’Eau (Market on a Boat)
This very unique concept was created in 2012 as a bridge between producers and consumers of the Parisian region in order to encourage locally sourced and responsible consumption. As a buyer, you must pay a yearly fee of 20€ to access their weekly offer of food baskets and sales in bulk. Mainly on Saturday, this market offers retail sales from 11:30am to 1:30pm in Paris and 11:30 to 2:00pm in Pantin. It offers freshly picked market garden products but also products such as honey, jams, flours, vegetables, cheese, yogurt and eggs.
Track the delivery places on their website.
20, Rue Edouard Pailleron, 75019 Paris
In the suburbs
L’Isle-Adam’s Market
Located 40 mins away from Gare du Nord, this market is held on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday morning. You can also visit the bio market held every Saturday afternoon.
4, Rue Dambry, 95290 L’Isle Adam. Take the train line ‘H’ from Gare du Nord to L’Isle-Adam-Parmain.
Restaurants
Freegan Pony
Located near Porte de la Villette, the kitchen of this very unique restaurant offers a new menu each day composed by a different chef. The ingredients are sourced from the Rungis market (one of the biggest food markets in Europe) that would otherwise have been thrown away. Currently closed until Summer 2020, the Freegan Pony works on the basis of ‘first come, first served’.
Place Auguste Baron, 75019 Paris (Fri-Sat: 8:00pm-1:00am / Sun: 8:00pm-12:00am / Mon 8:00pm-1:00am). Metro: Porte de la Villette.