The neighborhood around the Place de la Bastille is lively. On Sunday  and Thursday mornings year round, one of the largest open-air produce markets in Paris is held on Boulevard Richard Lenoir, which is one street away from the apartment. You can find about anything there, including fresh organic produce, cheese, wine, bread, fresh fish, meats, desserts, and even clothes and kitchen items. Enjoy the international flair of the market, with specialties from France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Morocco, India and other faraway places.  Be sure to  bring a basket or cart from the apartment  in order to  carry  home all your “finds” from the market (or at least the ones you don't eat on the spot!).

In addition, each Saturday of the year, an amazing (and amusing) arts and crafts market is held at the same location.  There you can find wonderful  paintings,  zany glassware and  hand-made crafts of all  types. The artists will happily tell you about their work.

Italian Delicacies