Isn’t it delightful to consider how the Rue des Fruits might have earned its delicious name? Perhaps, once upon a time, this street overflowed with colorful displays of fresh produce. Imagine vibrant stalls laden with ripe peaches, plums, melons, and grapes.
The Rue des Fruits could have been a place where the air was sweet. The air could have been filled with the aroma of freshly picked fruits. This street may have been a feast for the senses. Tourists can’t help but stop and take photos as they pass by markets. It is just too surreal for some.
Paris boasts numerous market streets. Each one has its unique charm and appeal. Rue Montorgueil is vibrant. Rue Mouffetard is charming with cobblestone streets. Rue Lepic is nestled in Montmartre.
The Parisian is so well adjusted to market shopping. They will swagger through the stalls without a hitch to pick up what they need. If you’re visiting you might want to take a moment to look through a shopper’s guide to the markets.
Anyone who has had the opportunity to visit Paris and stay close to a fresh food market is blessed. They may be thinking, “Wow, are the Parisians spoiled or what?” I think back to countless guests coming into Paris to visit me. I took them to my nearby market which I have to admit I took for granted until recently. I had them look wide-eyed at me and say, “Is this stuff for real?” “How are the tomatoes so red?” “Look at how fresh and pretty everything looks!”
The departure of fruits and vegetables from the heart of Paris, February 28, 1969 is a sculpture by Raymond Mason symbolizing a transformation of the Les Halles neighborhood.
They were like those shiny magazine covers. They were photos you could almost eat. But the Parisian, well he or she just thinks, “Oh, yeah, I just popped down the street to get those peaches that I forgot to buy earlier today.” Or “What is life without that fresh baguette.”
After my first stay in Paris, I returned to New York. I desperately wanted to continue the tradition of fresh produce, fresh bread, and great cheese. Not impossible but a challenge indeed with a rather hefty price tag to boot. Sure there are farmers’ markets and there is always Whole Foods. Never did I realize just how blessed I am with selection and what I call the option of “food snobbery”.
So when you are thinking of places to stay in Paris, and if you love good food. You should definitely stay close to a market if you can. Not just for the food, but for the experience. Buy, buy, buy and taste and enjoy because there is truly nothing like this experience.
Perhaps the Rue des Fruits was once the heart of this culinary experience. Today the Rue des Fruits might be quieter. However, its name still whispers tales of a vibrant past. It evokes images of bustling stalls and the sweet, irresistible allure of fresh fruit in the heart of Paris. Take a moment to imagine the colors, the smells, and the lively atmosphere. It makes the name “Rue des Fruits” all the more enchanting.