If you want the perfect parisian Saturday, I have a suggestion. You must start with 'un café et un croissant' at your neighborhood brasserie. Make sure you have your walking shoes, as now you will start a stroll over to the 12th arrondissement to the
Marche D'aligre. Make sure you get there before 2 (it closes). Grab as many vegetables as you can possibly carry and perhaps take a look at the vintage clothing selection.
You are now in need of a refreshment (or two) so head over to the infamous
Baron Rouge for some wine, oysters, and charcuterie.
Relish: On market days, the people (shown above) are here for the Oysters. On a busy day, it's a free for all with little room inside, so the people crowd where they can, down the street using both the building and the neighboring cars as tables. It's a spectacle to be had. Many choices of oysters abound (last time I was here I counted 7) -- they are fresh and come in a range of sizes. The oyster lady (as I call her) chucks them right in front of you with a neat chucking contraption I have never seen before (it's permanently afixed to the oyster table). If Oysters aren't your thang, then head inside for one of the best charcuterie plates I've had in Paris. They also have a selection of cheeses, specifically a plate with varieties from Corsica which I found delectable.
Quaff: It's a wine bar and you're in Paris. Behold:
I think the picture speaks for itself, but needless to say there are a range of choices. A tip -- they start at the top with the lightest wines and get stronger as you go down the list. ALSO, if you bring an empty bottle (like say a 1L Evian bottle) they have barrels that you can fill yourselves. A cheap alternative, or an awesome take-home option.
Feel: It's an incredibly typical Parisian feel -- old tile floors, an ancient wine barrel as a table, a huge bar, strange paintings (one is Marijuana themed, not sure what that is about). It's a mixed crowd of local and tourists, but in general it feels authentic. And it's right on the corner next to the market which is packed with Parisians so you definitely feel like a local. The men working there look straight out of another era, which also adds to its appeal.
If you're in Paris, Le Baron Rouge and Marche D'aligre are a must see. A toute à l'heure!
~Lindsay
