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Everyday in Paris (except on Mondays), there are glorious outdoor markets taking place in the various neighborhoods spread out across the city. Each market has its own distinct personality – and personalities – and like many residents of Paris, I like to do my shopping at an outdoor market.

As a dedicated market shopper, I find myself gravitating toward my favorite stands and sellers, such as the friendly gent who sells potatoes (and who wears just a t-shirt all year long, no matter how freezing cold it gets) and the people who come bearing gooey wedges of locally made Brie as well as unbelievably delicious crème fraîche, the kind you just can’t get anywhere else but in France. There are sturdy metal tables heaped with plenty of ice to keep all the pristine seafood and shellfish fresh, and come fall, when I don’t pick them myself, I rifle through bins of irregular apples to find just the right ones to bring home and caramelize in a warm tarte Tatin.

Some Parisians even take into consideration which market they’ll be close to when determining which neighborhood in Paris they want to live in. But outdoor markets aren’t just places to buy food; they act as social centers and once you get to know your market and the various stalls, and vendors, you develop favorites—even some who let you pick out your own apples! Here are some of mine.

[Video by Flow Films.]


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206 Shares

246 comments

    • Katie

    Lovely, lovely video, David! I love how you are using Asian “secret” ingredients – very California of you. Beautifully shot as well and you are charming. Thanks for sharing. -Katie

    • Korina A.

    Lovely video! Your laugh is contagious. :c )

    Oh and creeper at 0:47

    • Hillary

    Tres charmant! I actually drooled a little on my keyboard when you bit into the baguette with sardines.

    • Stephanie, The Recipe Renovator

    David, how fun to enjoy a slice of life, and tarte tatin, with you. Lovely video. Makes me miss Paris. :)

    • Yuliya

    It’s almost wine-o’clock here in Boston! Can I have some of that pate of sardines and a fresh baguette to go with a glass of malbec, s’il vous plait?
    Seriously, I would love to make that pate! Any idea where I could get fresh sardines in the US? Thank you!

    • Joan Bedard

    I just love to watch your shopping videos.Thanks for letting me live in Paris vicariously.

    • Janice

    Fantastic. Beautiful video, David. I also agree: food shouldn’t look perfect, it should look like food. Those fresh colours from stall to stall say so much more. Thank you for allowing me to travel to Europe this morning. Placer absoluto!

    • Sara

    I love this video and your tarte looks fantastic! I’ve been waiting until winter came around — and until I found friends who’d let me use their oven in exchange for good food — to try your quince tarte tatin recipe. I can attest to the fact that some Parisians choose their apartments based on proximity to a particular farmers’ market. I’m one of them, and it seems we’ve zeroed in on the same producteur :). Bonne fête!

    • Cecile Z

    David,
    Loved your video and your sardine pate / fresh baguette looked mouth-watering !
    The Tarte Tatin wasn’t bad either :-)
    One question : what is the difference between “potiron” and “potimarron” ?

    Gosh, I miss the French Markets !!

      • David
      David Lebovitz

      A potiron is a large pumpkin, usually cut into wedges since they’re enormous. A potimarron is a small squash that has a nutty flavor, (like a marron, or chestnut) and you can eat the skin.

    • Cynthia Morris

    Wonderful video. This is my favorite market in Paris. I loved that you also showed coming home and making the food. I want that potiron and a slice of tarte tatin!

    • Giovani

    David, it is always a pleasure watching you cook. You make everything look so simple and instantly I am inspired. Thank you!

    • Susan

    David, thank you so much for sharing this wonderful video. We learned so much about you and you only made us want to be in Paris and France all the more. Please, do more videos like this. It was a pleasure!!!

    • Cindy

    lovely – thanks so much for sharing!

    • Shaheen [The Purple Foodie]

    LOVELY! I’ve been seeing a lot of patty pan squash and thinking I’ll pick it up someday (when I’ve found a good enough recipe).

    • Maryn

    That is lovely — I love that veg stall, their mushrooms are fantastic — and I am now so homesick for the neighborhood…

    • Angela

    Oh dear, you’ve exposed me. Tarte Tatin is my secret weapon dessert because as you said, it sounds so fancy and complicated but is a breeze to make. I often make the apples early in the day, roll out the crust and let it chill in the fridge until just before we sit down for dinner and then quickly put crust on top and cook while we eat. The tarte smells heavenly while it’s cooking and guests love a warm dessert. I haven’t made one in awhile so thanks for reminding me. And thanks for the wonderful market tour.

      • David
      David Lebovitz

      It is actually quite easy. I often make it and let it sit on a serving platter, overturned, but I leave the pan on top so it stays warm. People get all goofy about how their tarts look, if it’s perfect, if the apples get mushy, etc..and it really doesn’t matter. As long as it tastes good (and it’s warm!) those are what are most important.

    • Marie (a.k.a. Gardenfreshtomatoes)

    Wonderful glimpse inside your world…Hope you’re planning more videos like this.

    • Charlotte

    Love this! Thanks for taking me to paris through your video. Your food looks simple but amazingly delicious, showing that all you need is just good ingredients and who cares about presentation!
    Your blog is wonderful & thanks for sharing.
    Charlotte

    • Phil

    We often (try) go to the Sunday morning market at Basse-Indre here in Nantes. We’re all usually very hungover, but the late lunch of oysters, sea urchin, cockles, paté, cheese and saucisson usually makes up for the suffering. Oh, there’s usually a salad as well!
    Nantes has recently gotten a night market (18h to 21h, I think); I haven’t been yet but I’m looking forward to checking it out.

    • French Basketeer

    I watched this without sound, and it was still very fun! Love the Bastille market, love the sardines, and especially love that you are shopping French style with a basket!

      • David
      David Lebovitz

      I bought that basket shortly after I moved to Paris. I like it because 1) It’s large enough to hold things in a single layer, so they don’t get squished, and 2) It is big enough so that I can use it to block people from cutting in front of me in line : )

      Still, I do want to get one with a narrower profile. But am not sure how effective it’ll be from keeping the line-jumpers at bay!

    • Jessica

    Hi David – first, love your blog and this video!

    What was it you used in place of salt for your sardines?

      • David
      David Lebovitz

      Glad you liked the video! The seasoning is called Furikake, and is a mix of ingredients, including dried seaweed, sesame, and other things. (There’s a few different types, – some can be rather strong, so take a sniff if you can.) It’s a great condiment on seafood in place of salt or just sprinkled over plain rice or buckwheat noodles. You can find it online or in any Asian market that carries Japanese foods.

    • sweetmaddy

    Amazing! I wish I had an oven here so I could make a tarte tatin too. :(

    • Helen

    Thank you for the video David, I love watching people cook and this little insight into your area of Paris was a treat. The lunch looked fabulous and so now I’m planning to replicate much of it on Sunday. merci.

    • Lillianne

    More videos. More videos please.

    • Monica

    Totally loved this video!! What a pleasant surprise – please do more! It’s such a great peek into your life, your cooking, and life in Paris. Love the fast-forwarding, too. : P

    • Sam @ The Second Lunch

    I love your use of mixed media. It’s so refreshing to see short videos like this! I bet this would work well with some Togarashi too… I love playing with any sort of global spice mix.

    • Sarah@Winner Celebration Party

    What a FUN video, and a wonderful escape! I didn’t expect to see sardines, apples, gochukaru, and furikake all in one video.

    For a second, I forgot I was in a library and laughed out loud, heartily.

    • Sharon T

    Thank you for the market tour, it made me feel like I was walking along with you. I wish it were easier to find fresh sardines here (I live in the middle of the US). I suppose I could make something with high quality canned ones. Something to think about. Thank you :)

    • Lani

    Great video and great cameo of the Lenoir market. It has its own personality that almost steals the show. Thanks for the cooking-by-instinct inspiration.

    • Fallon

    David-

    The sardines on the baguette looked amazing! What exactly went in it?

    Fallon

    • Kristin

    Great video David! I feel like I’m there….

    • Margaret

    David, is that the gratin dish you posted about a few years ago that is handmade in Paris — can’t remember the name of it — gorgeous. I think you showed an invitation from them, too. Also love the dish you mixed the sardine pate in, too. Actually everything looked dreamy and wonderful — can’t wait to visit Paris next year :) What a lovely video and you are so handsome!

    • Lorraine

    Loved the video, David. Is this a new venture for you? Let’s have some more! It really adds another, wonderful dimension to your blog and photos. I totally have croissant envy. Have tried every bakery in Denver (including four run by French people) and cannot find a croissant that evokes Paris for me. So I guess we are stuck with Williams-Sonoma (that actually ships excellent ones). I’ve noticed sardines and mackerel are making a bit of a comeback – as the sustainable fishing movement takes hold, a lot of fish species are regarded as fished out. Sardines and mackerel are strong tasting but your sardine dish looks delish.

    • Justin Warner

    Hey, you should really do these more often. I enjoyed it a lot.

    • Deb Arnhold

    David, your video is absolutely wonderful. I’m in the midst of planning two weeks in Paris after a 10 year absence, and I’ve never had a kitchen while I was there. So I am excited beyond belief to see you at the market. Oh, I can’t wait. Thank you!

    • Mallory

    I loved the video. Everything looked amazing from the croissants to the sardines to the tarte tartin. You should definitely use the video format more often. Very interesting and insightful to watch what a visit to the market in Paris is like. I want to go back there so badly now!

    • cindy

    Thank you for this visit today to the market and to your kitchen, I enjoyed it!

    • Will

    Great job by Flow Films on the video, and as always, your food looks delicious. In fact, I have yet to make a single recipe from you (both on this website and your great book, “The Sweet Life in Paris”) that hasn’t turned out perfect.

    • elaine

    i love the videos dave!

    by the way, great addition of korean chile and furikake! nothing like east meeting west on happy terms for once.

    • elaine

    can we get a bonus clip of you scaring away line-jumpers with that enormously cool basket?

    • Marlee

    I am drooling over here in San Francisco! Thanks for sharing!!!

    • joy

    The simplicity of the cooking allows for the flavors to shine. Love your secret ingredients :)

    • Amelia

    Tell me again when you learned to speak French…you sound tres authentique! Where did you get that beautiful basket? And who says this doesn’t look very good, it looks sublime; especially the tarte tatin which I will try to duplicate–unfortunately I don’t have access to that big hunk of yummy looking butter. Can’t wait for the next video.

    • Valerie Manzo-Wong

    Thoroughly enjoyed your video. Just had dinner but could use some of sardine et baguette. Missing Blvd Lenoir market this time of the year! Oh, and the tarte tatin!!

    • Daria

    omg. i’ve never heard your voice before. love the laugh. that sardine spread looks great!

    • Lorri

    Loved the video. It’s the first one I’ve seen posted. You should do more!

    Does your Furikake contain MSG? I’m hoping to find one that doesn’t. Off to the Asian market.

    • Aimée

    Thank you David, this was a really great video, I really enjoyed it. You should put up videos more often! There truly is nothing like a French market.

    • Aude

    David, thank you so much! For somebody feeling home sick, missing baguette, and small markets…. it warmed my heart :’)

    • Erika

    This video is so lovely; thanks for the little visit to Paris.

    • Virginia, Art of the Home

    Bonsoir David. Thank you so much for including the video and taking us with you to this farmers market in Paris — lovely visit. You are so right that farmers market in France are definitely a social experience. I am not sure if you also go to the farmers market on rue Mouffetard in the Latin quarters but we were back home over the summer, stopped in Paris and we got to enjoy shopping for fresh fruits and veggies as street singers where singing classics by Édith Piaf, Charles Trénet, etc. – priceless! We wrote about it here if anybody is interested. À bientôt.

    • Carolyn Z

    Was that one of Ruhlman’s spankettes? Heh. Hope it was a promotional item!

    We love the salmon furikake. Affectionately called furi-cakes. Dunno if they all contain MSG.

    You might also try the seaweed paste. Dad used to put it on his rice each night.

    Thank you for the video!

    • Kaitlin

    This video was such a treat to watch! It’s done so well and as odd as it may sound, you’ve got a super comforting presence.

    Very cool stuff!

    • Philip

    I know the Marche a la Bastille, it’s a wonderful market. You are a natural born video star. Your style is so sweet and your instruction is charmingly simple and direct. I loved it. More videos. Philippe

    • Always Wright

    Thank you for the wonderful video! We loved seeing you in Paris! My mouth was watering looking at the sardines (yes, the sardines), bread and butter. My daddy used to love opening up a can of sardines (ones in oil or mustard) many years ago and putting them on some saltines in Cheraw, SC. He caught plenty of fresh bream, bass and trout that I loved. So enjoy making your great recipes!

    • Victoria

    I loved this video! It really makes me want to take a trip and live in Paris. The quality of the video was amazing. More videos David!! Those sardines looked delicious and I love how you incorporated furikake and korean chili flakes!!

    • Susie M.

    Thank you for the peek into your world, I will be trying tarte tatin very soon, please more videos, you made it seem so effortless !

    • David
    David Lebovitz

    Aude: I know what you mean. As good as the bread can be elsewhere, whenever I travel then return to Paris, I crave a crunchy baguette and race to the boulangerie to get one as soon as I get home.

    Sharon T: Yes, I don’t know why fresh sardines are hard to find in the US. They’re so good, and inexpensive, and good for you as well. (And they’re sustainable, too.)

    Will: Glad you are enjoying the recipes. And the video as well : )

    elaine, victoria & sarah: I do love that Korean pepper. It’s not super spicy, but adds a ’roundness’ to things, and I find myself using it more than black pepper. People might think it’s odd, but then again, most spices that we use (whether in France, or elsewhere) are actually from other countries, so it’s not really odd at all.

    • Corie

    I love this video! The sound of you slicing into a crusty baguette made me smile. The entire video made me smile. Thanks for sharing :)

    • dancing kitchen

    Gorgeous video my dear. You present yourself so well. Bravo!

    • Lia R.

    Beautiful and inspiring, as are all of your posts. Thank you!

    • Aly

    Fabulous. As if you could be any more loveable!

    • Maureen in Oakland

    Ooooh David, thank you for a virtual visit to some of my favorite places today. I love the video and it is wonderful to see some of my market (and boulangerie) haunts for when I am in Paris. Merci bien.

    • Seattlehorn

    This video is utterly charming, as are you. Looking forward to replicating your meal, if I can find some Korean pepper.

    • regina at petit paris

    REALLY enjoyed this video!!! absolutely motivated for Paris’ fresh markets and more home cooking now…merci David!!

    • Susan Walter

    The video is charming. It was a real treat to watch it and see you in action ‘for real’. Well done to you and the filmmakers.

    • Wild Dingo

    OMG, can I come live w/you? I have to admit, those sardines look heavenly! and i don’t eat sardines. Do you need a dish washer? the tarte too… all look delicious!

    • Chez Loulou

    I loved that you showed how easy it is to make a simple and delicious meal of seasonal ingredients. Thanks for the sardine pâté idea – it looks wonderful!
    You’re a natural on camera. Looking forward to more videos!

    • Jenny

    David, thanks for taking us on a tour of your Parisian market– what a treat. Did you put anything on the salad greens?

    • ron shapley(nyc)

    Thanks for inviting us into your home.. We you preparing that plate for me ???? I can only dream.. By the way, do you think I can get authentic French butter in NYC ?? Have you had that experience or is all the “French butter” just a poor knock off ?? Thanks Dave.. Happy Holidays !!!

    • Paula

    “Some Parisians even take into consideration which market they’ll be close to when determining which neighborhood in Paris they want to live in.” – this is definitely a point! It’s the same around here in Vienna – New, chique Quartiers emerge around small markets. I highly recommend Renaud’s song “Les Bobos”. It’s the Bobos, who visit the market in Vienna, I guess Paris is not that different. :-)

    • Lizzy (Good Things – Australia)

    David, I share your philosophy… fresh produce and produce markets are my thing. I managed a 32 stall market for ten years. Thanks for sharing your kitchen too. Love this, thanks again.

    • Maria Farrar

    David…you are amazing…

    • ParisGrrl

    This is your best video so far–very relaxed and personal. Love this!

    • Kim

    Loved your video David. I reminded me some trips to Paris, I always go to market to look at realy people do real thing. Plus, I love what you cooked… I can’t belive potimarrons are that hard to find here in Quebec! I really enjoyed this video and I really wished I could have share your tarte tartin!

    • kat

    I really enjoyed this, thank you!

    • Tom

    Hmm! I think I see the potential for a new Food Network cooking show —-Shopping and Cooking with David in Paris. Go to a Parisian market, meet a purveyor or two, buy some provisions, go home and cook a couple of dishes. Lots of local color, an engaging host, great easy recipes and Paris. What more could you want!!

    • Janette Horsnell

    Dear David

    Thank you for a delightful trip around your Paris market. You have really made my day – I’ve watched the video twice already. It brought back happy memories for me of the time I lived in Lugano and visited the open-air market. My favourite vegetable back then was artichoke which my French friend taught me to cook very simply but tasted delicious. I totally agree with you when you say that how food tastes is more important than how it looks. I shall be attempting your recipe for sardine pate.

    Janette

    • Magda

    David, that sardine pate looks amazing. I will be making it soon.
    The video was fantastic! I do hope you make some more videos, you are really photogenic :)

    What you say about the French not caring about how the food looks but only about how it tastes, stands true for Greeks as well. I guess it’s a Mediterranean thing.

    • Jenny

    I agree with Tom — it would be so much fun to see you go to the market and watch how you prepare what you buy. I’m so burned out on slick cooking shows shown in perfect kitchens where everything and everyone looks so manufactured. I watched your video countless times just to drink in the beauty and calmness of it all. Not to mention the food of which I’m dying to make tarte tatin, sardine pate, and roasted squash or potimarron if I can find it. Also love the idea of buying Korean chile pepper and must find furikake. I think i would use it on countless dishes. If you don’t do a cooking show maybe you could do an ongoing app that you keep updating??

    • Divya

    Thank you for the nice video! Paris farmers’ markets are the best! Such a great feeling to get up in the morning and buy things from your local market. I posted some pictures of the farmers markets when I was there last spring:

    http://smultronsoul.blogspot.com/2011/03/paris.html

    • Laurian

    I am ravenous now! Can you let us know which market you are at? I visit Paris quite regularly (from Geneva) and we always end up at the Algerian market on Sunday, they have gorgeous stuff (always get the roast baby chickens and cheese for the train ride picnic home -the swiss travelling with us are horrified by the mess) but would love to try a new one.

    • JoAnn

    I agree with Kaitlin, you have a very soothing presence. I want to be your friend. Do more videos so I can pretend we’re hanging out together in Paris ;-) You’re spreading a valuable message that food ought to taste yummy and that all of the fussing over how it looks isn’t quite so important. Although your food was pretty enough to make my mouth water….oh, those sardines!

    • Martha in KS

    David, thanks for sharing. For a few minutes, I felt like I was in Paris.
    Happy Holidays!

    • greenthyme

    I am new to your blog… but boy have I been missing out! This is such a lovely video. I love your description of the seasonal produce. Thanks for taking us along on the journey. I am insanely jealous of your croissant by the way!!!

    • Vicki B

    Brilliant! I hope you make many many more videos.

    • Susie

    How lovely to see you again, and what a super glimpse into your sweet Parisian life.

    • parisbreakfast

    oh WOW on the pictures!
    love the commentary Thanks David

    • Marilynn Williams

    It’s 8:35am Arizona time and I am salivating all over my keyboard. Attractive no?

    • Steve

    Just a great video. Thanks.
    Steve

    • Kathryn

    What a treat to watch your video! I visited a market in Sept. on my first trip to Paris ( not sure which one, I was wandering ). It was abundant with beautiful fruits and vegetables like in your video. I especially enjoyed watching you implement your market purchases into some lovely dishes. If I wasn’t knee deep in Christmas cookie dough, I would be busy trying out your apple Tarte Tatin recipe! Make merry this holiday season and enjoy! Thank you for your post!

    • debbie in toronto

    love this so much….we enjoy the market on rue vavin on Sundays when we are there…they have an onion and potato tarte that is to die for….

    I’m so impressed by your having the exact change …that’s the only drama..they say the price so fast and so french I end up just shoving money at them and let them take it from my hand…which I’m sure pisses them right off…

    oh well….

    and I agree with Tom..we need you on the food network….IN HD!!

    • debbie in toronto

    DUH….not Vavin…rue Raspail…….thinking metro stop….

    • madhu

    You are a darling! A sweet life in Paris indeed! :-) Yes MORE MORE MORE videos please….

    • deborah

    The crunch of the bread as you cut was a sound I miss. And then … I literally opened my mouth when you took that bite of your sardine melange… mmmm.

    dws

    • Nick (Macheesmo)

    Great video David!

    That sardine dish sounds so amazing. Wish I could find stuff like that where I live…

    • Jane Ridolfi

    FABULOUS!!!

    • Marilyn

    More please!! This was a wonderful excursion.

    • Denise

    Loved the video David – it was charming! You should do more of them ….. you brought me back immediatley to the streets of Paris ….. food looked wonderful too!

    • Linda

    Oh, David. Thank you so much for this video. Because I’ll never see Europe, this is so exciting for me. Please make more videos. You would have laughed when you showed the croissant and I was yelling “come on, David, throw me just one, please?”

    • Linda H

    What a pleasant video. Loved it. The day looks so nice, too, compared to this day here of howling wind. I’ll have to content myself with coffee and munching the florentines that were too odd shaped to gift.
    My husband watched your video and now wants a tarte tatin.

    • Gillian

    I love this. You laugh like I do. My favourite part is the guy with the mustache at the market staring directly at the camera while you talk.

    • Carolyn

    David, thank you so much for bringing me along on your trip to the market. I always stay in an apartment on Blvd Richard Lenoir and enjoy the market there twice a week.

    Your blog is so much fun to read – it just gets better and better. But this video is GREAT. What a nice treat to watch it (twice) while I’m eating breakfast and gearing up to go Christmas shopping here in San Francisco.

    Thanks again!

    • Barbara juman

    I knew I would love the way you cook, when you recommended Joanne Changs oatmeal raisin cookies! Just got back from Paris and all the markets, compared baguets in so many bakeries, and ate our selves silly. This was our best trip, but wish I had discovered your newsletter befor we went.

    Love your cooking sensibilities. I almost could smell your food through my iPad!

    Happy and healthy New Year to you!.

    • Adrienne

    Lovely start to my morning watching this :)

    • Kirstin

    Love the video!

    • Jude LaBarre

    The market looks so uncrowded, all the beautiful food just waiting for you!

    • Flor de Maria

    I look forward to your writing everytime but when I saw it was a video I was thrilled. Please post more of these–as I said, I love your writing, but, a video like a a friend of mine said “IT IS ALIVE!!”
    Thanks!

    • Bernie Wong

    Love the video.. hope there will be more!! enjoyed “walking” through the market and “cooking” with you. I have Korean chilli and furikake(the stuff is addictive) in the cupboard, going to try the roasted pumpkin for Christmas

    • Denise L

    Visiting the markets in France is one of my favorite things to do-I like the marche biologique in the 6th.

    • Heidi Katt

    David great video. I like seeing the moments that make up a day in Paris. And your insights about those moments are wonderful. I love going to the markets in Paris but since I am not French I don’t understand what is going on most of the time. Would love to see one with you in an antiques shop and even in the flower shop. Or I have heard the government offices are crazy maybe we could see you renew your drivers license or something. HAHAHA So thank you. Keep them up.

    • hampton

    David
    How delightful you are on video.I hope this is short promo for upcoming show on Food Channel. You make it look so easy. More videos. Your apple tartin looks so eas. I got m recipe from site “Southern Fried French” which uses the sisters original and was also easy to make.

    • Nora Signer

    Hi David — We first met through Heidi Swanson’s blog, the only blog I ever followed till yours, and I’m writing to thank you for all of your recommendations and recipes (the first one Korean Scallion Pancake an absolute favorite for family spanning the ages of 2 1/2 to 70’s). I can’t find the Korean pepper even in Korea town, and the web was sold out the last time I looked.

    Happily I bought The Sweet Life in Paris based on reviews alone for myself and gifts, hooray! No surprise, all your recipes I’ve tried have been major successes as well, too numerous to list.

    Then I met you at your Babycakes book signing, never dreaming I’d be invited to go shopping with you and then into your kitchen! Thank you so much, what fun! How do you manage so many people feeling like you are a close personal friend when they -we- are really strangers to you?

    Now I am forwarding this fabulous Parisian market trip video to a dear French friend in New York City for his birthday today. What timing! And thank you for your introduction to Dorrie. Her Breton Far is another absolute favorite. And last but not least, how do you stay so thin?

    Best regards, Nora

    PS: Having been to Australia a number of times you still introduced me to places I had missed. The Bourke Street Bakery Baking Companion is also on my must have list. Again, how do you stay so thin?

    • Frances Mercer

    Thank you for that wonderful video! We always stay in the Bastille when we visit Paris, and we love that market. Thanks for sharing your secrets/views on cooking, too ! Have a wonderful holiday !

    • Ann K

    Love, love, love your video, David. Thank you! And I’m dreaming of your tarte tatin.

    • Pam Iles

    OH David–!! Am I jealous or did I just turn green watching the video? What a fabulous resource. I loved the Sardine dish. I like food that looks like food too. In our markets as you know everything is so perfect it is tasteless and looks like plastic. Great video please do more. How about that store in Paris that has all the cooking equipment that you wrote about some time ago. I cannot make it to Paris any time soon but these little guided tours with recipes are priceless. Good job and the camera work is really excellent. Thanks Pam

    • Lynn

    This is my favorite post of your so far! (Admittedly, I’ve only been reading your blog for a few months now.) You could do a web series or TV series on living and cooking in Paris, similar to what you did today…just where you got your weekend lunch and how you cooked it. It was perfect…you have great screen presence!

    • kathy

    Love the video. Wish we had fresh sardines easily available here in L.A. With the apples, at first I thought you had poured honey into the pan before you put in the apples. But then when I saw you cook the sardines, I finally figured it was butter for the apples and Oil? for the sardines? Also, I was amazed that you put the pastry right over the frying pan! You can’t eat it all in one sitting, so how do you handle saving it…? I ran into you, literally, at the market over by Les Halles, where I had an apartment. Thought I would never forget the name of that market, but I am drawing a blank. That was last winter and you had on that same coat and looked very hip. Love the long, narrow look of the coat. This video looks to be at another market. Wish you had named it. I went to many, depending on my mood, the day, and how much time I had. Also, I love hearing French just roll off your tongue. You are practically a native! Kathy

    • Cheryl G.

    I think everyone loves your video, so you need to make more, what a treat!!!! You are ahead of the curve. I love the markets in Paris, we visited for the first time this September and I was amazed at how friendly the Parisiens were, after hearing all my life that they were rude well, they were not, they were lovely.
    We went to the market on Rue Cler everyday, it was so nice. I look forward to your blogs, Thanks for sharing.

    • mary

    I absolutely loved your video. It made me miss Paris so, so much. Yes, I have Union Square and Grand Army Plaza, & I’m grateful…but there’s just no comparison.

    • Mary

    My 2 daughters, husband and I are leaving in 5 days to spend Christmas in Paris and this video is just making me jump out of my skin in anticipation!!! Taking a Marketing and Cooking class “en famille” so we can be knowledgeable at the market and cook together on Christmas day. Your blog and website has been so helpful in preparing for our trip. Merci mille fois!!!!

    • Duffy

    Wow! I have always found your blog to be among the best on the web. I love to read about your cooking sensibilities. But today’s video really cranked things up a huge notch! How excellent to follow you to the market, and then come home and watch you cook and eat what you bought. Amazing. I was right there with you.

    Thanks for always making things so perfect for all your readers.

    • Mimi

    I’m a HUGE fan! And I love that you’re including video’s now…totally fun! Keep them coming, you really make your fans feel that they are right there with you in Paris. And your irrelevancy is refreshing!

    • Eileen

    I am a big fan of your blog! And the videos are a great addition. I feel like I am there with you in Paris (and would love to be!)
    I am drooling over the tart tatin, but at this time of year, I can’t afford to eat the whole thing myself. It is a very big dilemma. I think I will make it for dinner tonight anyway and go to an extra yoga class this week. What do you do with all of the goodies you bake?

    • savorysaltysweet

    Oh, this is wonderful. Watching you taste everything at the end of the video was just fantastic. It was obvious that the food you were eating was truly delicious, and there was no need to elaborate on the various elements of the flavors, the complexities, etc. Taking a bite of something, then placing your hand on your chest in an almost surprised, unconscious manner and simply saying, “It’s really good,” speaks volumes.

    • Victoria

    David….I enjoyed this video so much. Thank you!

    • Heather

    Thank you for the video!

    Love your books. I was lucky enough to buy them and have them kindly signed by you at Sugarplums recently. The Sweet Life in Paris was such a pleasure to read while in Paris!
    Love your blog… read it every day. Your blog and your books have enriched our trips to Paris in so many ways.
    Love the video…It brought me right back to Paris. Especially the time I ran in to you at the Bastille market. And, Now I know how to properly place the apples when making my favorite dessert!
    Merci!

    • Arlene

    Love your blog. The video was an extra-special treat. Thank you.

    • victoria | vmac+cheese

    I love this video. Especially love the dude who seems very intent on what you have to say whilst shopping at the market.

    The tarte and the sardines and everything just looks wonderful!

    • Arlene

    I also love, love the video ..David. Your site is always interesting and informative. I also have your most excellent cookbook , Ready for Dessert ! Using your insights and information on Paris.. enhances my trips in so many ways. I rent a studio flat .. hit the markets.. definitely the sweet life !

    • Pompon

    Love your blog…
    I usually mix potimarron and butternut squash with rosemary, garlic, olive oil and ground pepper to roast. It’s amazing! and left-overs get blended into soup with a bit of cilantro for the next day.
    Also, for the tatin, I make just make caramel, pour into into the pan cover with apples and pie crust and put it in the oven. When the caramel starts coming up the sides, your tarte tatin is done. C’est inratable !

    • Caroline in San Francisco

    Great, professional video! Just the right tempo and everything. Felt like I was right there watching you shop and cook. Look forward to seeing more of these.

    • Julia

    Oh, I love this. You should do more of those. Just a couple of days ago I was searching all over the net for a cooking video podcast, but couldn’t find anything good. But this, I love!

    • Joolian

    David, why aren’t you on tv?? Food Network, what are you waiting for?

    • Chris Tyle

    Great video; the whole concept is wonderful – market to table. Why, why, aren’t there TV shows like this? A wonderfully relaxed approach to prep and cooking. You SHOULD have a show on the Food Channel – but undoubtedly they would foul it up some way. Better to keep it low-key on your own webpage, to share with friends.

    However – we didn’t get to see you invert the tarte tatin ;-) A friend of mine, sadly departed now, from the area near Toulouse, would sprinkle Calvados over the apples before cooking. A nice touch, imho.

    Thanks for sharing,
    Chris

    • bobster

    Wow nearly every comment used the word “love”. I hate the way this word has been so truly abused. (I think this is an American thing). Sadly “love” really has lost all meaning, too bad. Enjoyed the vid tho.

    • Christin R

    Oooooooh David, love your video! I’m mostly a silent reader, but I love this! looking forward to more videos of your life in Paris!

    • Carol McFrland

    Year after year I visit the Blvd. Richard Lenoir market, and you have captured it beautifully! Thanks so much for including how to prepare those wonderful things you found. I won’t be so obsessive about lining up the apples for my Tarte Tatin after having seen yours. Merci beaucoup.

    • adrian

    very nice watching you in the kitchen, looks like lots of fun. And cute seeing Romain there in the background ;-)

    • Charlotte

    That was awesome! you post more videos!

    • A Canadian Foodie

    When you can, David, the video is the way to go. Very intimate and personal. Loved it. Wanted to see your Tarte Tatine up close, though. Which Market was that. I know I should be able to figure it out by the obelisk at the end of the street… but could not.
    :)
    valerie

    • Polly Brown

    Loved the video David. Maybe you should do more! I’m a long time reader, but first time commenter. It was that good. If you ever come to Washington, DC, look me up and I’ll show you how to make the world’s best honey graham cracker!

    • poornima krishnan

    Hi David
    I have been quietly enjoying all your posts and not commenting seeing there are enough people doing it. But this post I felt the need to convey my appreciation.Loved the video, the simplicity of it,how personal it was.Need I go on? You must get the drift!! Thank you from an Indian living in Melbourne for the awesome blog.

    • Lise Desjardins

    Don’t know if this will reach you… was not sure about website issue,that is how unsavvy I am. A former Montrealer from Quebec, Canada and now living in Alma, Lac Saint-Jean, capitale de villégiature par excellence, I am enjoying your blog at low speed and must forego videos, fine for slide-shows. If this reaches you, I will sob about charcuterie differences between the old and new continent, praise our local cheeses and laud your blog tone. You’re doing good. Expression locale: Continue, cher.

    • Patti

    Lovely video David! I have been reading your blog for so long now, you seem like an old friend, so it was nice to see you “live” today.

    • ElleCee

    Thank you for the video – hope there will be many more! That Tarte Tatin looks fabulous! When I was in Paris last fall I made it a tradition every Saturday to go to the local market and buy myself some flowers and a cooked chicken which I would then take back to my studio and make chicken soup. I still make chicken soup now that I’m home but it doesn’t taste quite as good.

    • Jennifer

    Thank you for the video! I had a great time watching it, everything from the trip to the market to seeing that you have a giant bag of Korean chili paper to flavor your food. And of course your cooking looks delicious. Wishing I could find some fresh sardines myself.

    • mslewis

    David, I love the video. Thanks. More, please!! I think the Travel Channel or The Food Network would greatly improve if they had a show with you taking us around Paris and cooking great things for us viewers. Maybe I’ll call and make a recommendation.

    • Daniel

    LOVE the video…do more !!!

    • Tammy

    FANTASTIC!!! I felt like I was literally walking through the market and making lunch with you in your kitchen…very personal indeed. I also laughed at your comment about France “it’s a bit like being in an airline toilet, frustrating to wait and all the time in the world once it’s your turn” — I’m going to lift that for future.

    • Kim

    Dear David,
    Thank you for sharing this lovely video. You have such a nice spirit about you. We leave for Paris in a few days and I’ve got your app downloaded – ready to give it a workout ; ). And – not to sound obsessive or anything – but I’ll be reading “Paris Was Ours” on the plane. Your blog brings me so much pleasure – merci beaucoup!

A

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