Savoring Paris: A Food Lover’s Walk around Les Halles

It’s easy to fall in love with the City of Light, one bite at a time. But this is especially true in Les Halles, a historical food market that was moved underground in the late 1900s, and on Rue Montorgueil, where the city’s flavors are as vivid as the strokes on a painter’s canvas. On this Paris walking tour, we’ll navigate the area where culinary artists and masters create incredible morsels with milk, flour, and eggs – the soul of Parisian cuisine. From the legendary Baba au Rhum (a small yeast cake saturated in rum) at Stohrer (the oldest patisserie in Paris), to the savory delights at Au Pied de Cochon (a brasserie), each stop is a taste of the city’s rich heritage. You’ll also get a chance to try oysters on the half-shell and some fantastic wine.

Starting in front of La Samaritaine department store at one end of Pont Neuf (New Bridge), you’ll explore the architectural marvels and historic lanes of Les Halles, but you’ll also savor the flavors that make Paris a global gastronomic capital. You’ll have a chance to sample the famed chocolates at Leonidas, relish exquisite puff pastries at Odette (a patisserie), and uncover the gourmet secrets of G. Detou Paris (a gourmet grocery store).

As you make your way from the iconic Saint-Eustache Church to the modern splendor of the Bourse de Commerce Pinault Collection, you’ll experience the harmonious blend of history and innovation that defines Les Halles. You’ll stroll through Quartier Montorgueil, a vibrant market street where the air is perfumed with the scent of fresh bread from Boulangerie Collet, and the sweet aroma of Cloud Cakes. The tour ends in front of Boulangerie Eric Kayser, where you can pick up some tasty bread from one of Paris’ top bakers. Whether it’s indulging in a buttery escargot from L’Escargot Montorgueil or discovering the unique flavors of artisanal cheeses at La Fermette, this tour is a feast for the senses.

Along the way, you’ll have a chance to:

• Hear the story of La Samaritaine, the iconic art déco department store in Paris
• Visit a store with a display window that might give you the creepy crawlies
• Listen to a wild tale about three women rising from a grave at Fontaine des Innocents
• Walk above the biggest mall in France, Le Forum des Halles
• Drink from a fountain that offers both sparkling and still water
• See Charles Ray’s silver horse and rider statue
• Take in the kitchen supply store that hasn’t changed since it opened in the 1800s
• Enjoy a meal at the only restaurant in France that never closes
• Discover what awaits you at Bacchus’ lair
• Find out which classic French specialty has been gluten-free for hundreds of years

This 90-minute tour not only offers a glimpse into the city’s dynamic present and storied past, but is also an opportunity to experience the essence of Parisian life through its culinary masterpieces. Join me on this flavorful exploration of Les Halles, where every bite tells a story of tradition, passion, and innovation.