Pop Quiz: Chilling at the Paris Food Markets

Stars of the Sea on rue des Abbesses, Paris Photos by Theadora Brack

Mystery House in Historic Georgetown

By Theadora Brack

This week, we’re jet setting to Washington, D.C. for a little Franco-American Pop Quiz. Hip Gees and High Jumpers, this one’s or you. Pour on the laugh soup. What’s my line?

The Question

Take a gander at the yellow house on the right. Who lived in these historic Georgetown digs during the late 1950s?

For bonus points, give us the name of the masterpiece he or she worked on whilst living there.

Clues

1. Our charismatic “Mystery Guest” also lived in France, and thoroughly enjoyed shopping and hobnobbing at the Paris food markets. Our “M.G.” wrote:

Poissonnerie on rue des Abbesses, Paris

“Shopping for food in Paris was a life-changing experience for me. It was through daily excursions to my local marketplace on la rue Bourgogne, or to the bigger one on la rue Cler, or best of all, to the organized chaos of Les Halles—the most famous market place in Central Paris—I learned one of the most important lessons of my life: the value of les human relations.”

2. Here’s how the “M.G.” described the scene:

“You could find virtually anything under the sun there. As we dodged around freshly killed rabbits and pig trotters, or large men unpacking crates of glistening blue-black mussels and hearty women shouting about their wonderful champignons, I avidly jotted down notes about who carried what and where they were located, worried that I’d never be able to find them again in the raucous maze.”

Any Guesses? Give us your awe.

Scoop on Les Halles: Winding it back to the late 12^th century, go-getter King Philippe Auguste expanded Paris’s central market, gifting it with a new location, rooftop shelter and the world famous name, Les Halles. By the way, this king of the original urban re-do also paved streets, created a sewage system, organized the first Paris police force, and built a defense wall, along with a fortress on the site of the current-day Louvre. How to top that?

Charging ahead

Vous voulez garder la téte?

In 1851, Les Halles received another makeover courtesy of Haussmann. Decked out in cast-iron girders and cathedral-worthy skylights designed by architect Victor Baltard, novelist Émile Zola described Les Halles as the “stomach of Paris, a modern machine beyond all measure which represents the true axis of the city.”

Setting the scene

Time travel, blow us away. First, the smells, detectable from blocks away. Sharp cheeses, rotting vegetables from the days before, animal manures, stale beer spilled by the vendors. Then imagine the cacophony. The noise of delivery wagons rumbling over cobblestones. The shouts of drivers reining in their carthorses. The squeals of live pigs and bleats of sheep.

Poisson Un, Poisson Deux

Above it all, the hawkers (a.k.a. the “criers” of Paris) would have lured you in with their loud rhythmic songs touting their goods.

And what a range of choices to be had! Brandy and coffee vendors selling their beverages by the cup were at the top of the market’s pecking order while the fishmongers didn’t rank as high—even though they had the best track record, consistently moving their finny products from the coast to the city in just a few days.

Poissonnerie on rue des Abbesses, Paris

“Come on ladies, come on ladies, one pound fish, one pound fish?” Like today’s London-based “fishmonger” Muhammad Shahid Nazir’s “One Pound Fish” rap tune gone viral, one might say! Clipping Nazir, very, very good.

The End is Near

Unfortunately, not everyone felt the big love for Les Halles or the myriad colonies of huge, well-fed rats who had long taken advantage of all that free room and board in the old market.

And so during the 1970s, all the vendors were relocated to Rungis (now the world’s largest wholesale fresh food market) outside of central Paris, and the venerable old structures were demolished and replaced with an underground mall complex that now faces its own doom. For every season turn, turn, turn—indeed.

On the Sunny Side

Today, throughout Paris, there are currently about 70 roving open-air markets (“marchés volants”) and 15 covered markets.

Heads-up: They don’t call them “marchés volants” for nothing. The “flying markets” appear only once or twice each week on their assigned market days, sell their goods, and then roll up their canvas roofs and move on to another neighborhood.

Tip: No market close to your hotel or flat? Don’t fret. Most arrondissements have bustling “rues commerçantes” (shopping districts) which have many of the same advantages, if not the same Old World atmosphere. Abbesses is a favorite.

Now, thanks to the miracle of old post cards, we’re able to dial back the clock and tour Les Halles and Le Marché aux Fleurs à la Madeleine. Roll the tape!

Dig Pop Quizzes? Check out Paul’s Paris by Cellphone site. Don’t miss his “Where is it Wednesday” contests.

Les Halles, 6 AM to 8 AM series (All postcards: T. Brack’s archives)

Les Halles, 6 AM to 8 AM series

Le Marché aux Fleurs à la Madeleine

You look marvelous! (rue Lepic, Abbesses)

Tags: 1950s, Culinary History, Food, Food Markets, France, Julia Child, Paris, Paris Photos, Teddy Brack, Theadora Brack, Travel, Vintage

46 thoughts on “Pop Quiz: Chilling at the Paris Food Markets”

LizzieJoy on 20/12/2012 at at said:

Very entertaining. Thank you, Theadora. Blessings for a wonderfully peaceful and joy-filled Christmastime.

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- Theadora Brack on 21/12/2012 at at said:
  
  Ah, thanks Lizzie Joy!! Here’s another one of my favorite Julia Child quotes: “Find something you’re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.” Happy Holidays! T.
  
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daedre1 on 20/12/2012 at at said:

Oh yum…wish I was there.

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- Theadora Brack on 21/12/2012 at at said:
  
  YES. There’s so much to see! Window shopping (Faire du lèche-vitrine — “window licking”) is always great fun in Paris. The vendors and shopkeepers create works of art! T.
  
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  - daedre1 on 22/12/2012 at at said:
    
    You feed my mind…have a wonderful holiday season.
    I alway look forward to your posts.
    
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jazzersten on 20/12/2012 at at said:

Great photos and commentary. That first photo is so good it should be in a magazine.

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- Theadora Brack on 21/12/2012 at at said:
  
  Gosh, thanks!! Seafood is always photogenic—in my book. Catches my eye each and every time! T.
  
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Deano on 20/12/2012 at at said:

No idea who it was, but it all looks wonderful 🙂

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- Theadora Brack on 21/12/2012 at at said:
  
  Thanks, Deano! A few years ago, I competed in a marathon in La Rochelle. Prizes for completing the course? Chocolate, a long-stem rose, a handsome jacket, a VERY large box of oysters! It was a perfect day. T.
  
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  - Deano on 21/12/2012 at at said:
    
    Only in France 🙂
    
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belocchio on 20/12/2012 at at said:

Your mystery guest would be Julia Child. V.

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- Theadora Brack on 21/12/2012 at at said:
  
  Ring-a-Bling-ding!! Congratulations Virginia, Krista and the Tin Man. The Dream Team solved the mystery once again. YES. Julia Child is our mystery guest.
  
  During the late 1950s, Julia and her husband Paul lived at 2706 Olive Street in historic Georgetown. The year was 1956. Immediately, they bought a new stove, dishwasher, and sink equipped with an “electric pig” garbage disposal. Julia also expanded the kitchen. It’s visible in the shot. (I got to visit these historic digs over the summer. It’s still very lovely!)
  
  In 1961, Julia, along with collaborators Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle launched their cookbook: “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.” It took them about a decade to get it published. But they did.
  
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  - belocchio on 21/12/2012 at at said:
    
    Dear dear Miss T. It was J. Child who introduced me to French cooking. I still have that cookbook – food stained, a little tattered, and filled with memories of wonderful food. V.
    
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belocchio on 20/12/2012 at at said:

I boarded my time machine – loaded with empty shopping baskets, and set it for the year 18ll – les Halles. I shopped until my baskets were overflowing with treasures of the market. Then returned to the now laden with the ingredients to create a banquet worthy of Babette’s Feast. Isak Dinesen had whispered the ingredients in my pearl shaped ear. Wonderful pics of past Theadora. V.

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- Theadora Brack on 21/12/2012 at at said:
  
  Merci, Virginia! What did you purchase?! Gabriel Axel’s “Babette’s Feast” (based on Isak Dinesen’s story) is one of my favorite films in the world. Clipping Babette, “An artist is never poor!”
  
  I found a portion of the Babette’s menu:
  
  Potage à la Tortue, (Turtle soup)
  Blinis Demidoff au Caviar (buckwheat cakes with caviar and sour cream)
  Caille en Sarcophage avec Sauce Perigourdine (quail in puff pastry shell with foie gras and truffle sauce)
  A salad with Belgian chicory and walnuts in a vinaigrette
  Les Fromages
  Savarin au Rhum avec des Figues et Fruits Glacées (rum sponge cake with figs and glacéed fruits)
  1845 Clos de Vougeot
  1860 Veuve Clicquot champagne
  
  It’s high time to find the book and the film! Perfect timing. T.
  
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  - belocchio on 21/12/2012 at at said:
    
    Dear Miss T. A good thought. We plan on revisiting Babette this holiday season. I love the Veuve Clicquot on the list. We have much to thank Madame Clicquot for.
    On my Santa list I asked to spend next Christmas in Paris. My most heart felt wishes for a happy holiday and a magnificent New Year. With much affection Virginia
    
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  - belocchio on 21/12/2012 at at said:
    
    Dear Miss T. A good thought. We plan on revisiting Babette this holiday season. I love the Veuve Clicquot on the list. We have much to thank Madame Clicquot for.
    On my Santa list I asked to spend next Christmas in Paris. My most heart felt wishes for a happy holiday and a magnificent New Year. With much affection Virginia
    
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kristaspurr on 21/12/2012 at at said:

Your mystery guest is Julia Child and she wrote about eating and shopping experiences in her delightful memoir, “My Life in France.” A must-read for people of love food, Paris, and/or Julia. Happy holidays!
K

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- Theadora Brack on 21/12/2012 at at said:
  
  Another RING-A-DING-BlING. Bravo, Krista!! I also highly recommend reading Julia Child’s “My Life in France” (2008) book. Nora Ephron’s “Julie & Julia” 2009 film was based on it. Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci were fabulous!
  
  Krista, have you read Bob Spitz’s “Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child” book? Released in August of 2012, it’s also an interesting read. More great photographs!
  
  Happy holidays!
  T.
  
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Another Thousand Words on 21/12/2012 at at said:

No idea who that would be, Babs! But…I certainly know I love your sumptuous images (had I not just finished dinner, they would make me very, very hungry!)! And the postcards are superb and so fun!

Joyeux Noel, Mlle B!

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- Theadora Brack on 21/12/2012 at at said:
  
  Well, thank you!! I also love the postcards. Especially the top shot of the sous chef. I’m now obsessed with the Les Halles “6 AM to 8 AM” series. I love the shallow depth of focus, so that the background begins to look a lot like an Impressionist painting. . .
  
  And speaking of artists, have I missed your shot of tree lot and the first snow?! B. (Happy Holidays!)
  
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  - Another Thousand Words on 22/12/2012 at at said:
    
    No, you haven’t missed it…because there has been no snow, Mlle B.! A huge storm was ‘predicted’ for last night–hyped to the heavens–and NOTHING! Poor man has been selling very wet trees from all our rain!
    
    Joyeuex Noel a vous, et Bonne Annee 2013!
    
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Tales and Travels of the Tin Man on 21/12/2012 at at said:

Drat it all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I worked late and others beat me to the quiz!!!!! OOOOOOOOOOOOOO the Tin Man always wants to be the first with the correct response! Julia Child who, of course, wrote : Mastering the Art of French Cooking published in 1961 by Alfred A. Knopf after being rejected by Houghton Mifflin. “The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking you’ve got to have a what-th-hell attitude.”………..the lovely Julia. Who, by the way, I imitate when I am Chef Emil in my kitchen at the market………..of course customers love it. Mon Theadora le plus cher, en vous souhaitant la meilleure de la saison de jour férié, le peut être rempli de merveilleux plats de nourriture et de flûte après la flûte de champagne!

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- Theadora Brack on 21/12/2012 at at said:
  
  OH, NO. You are not late. You are on time, as always.
  
  Cha-Ching! Thanks for completing our little riddle, Tin Man!! Yes, Julia’s “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” published in 1961 by Alfred A. Knopf after being rejected by Houghton Mifflin.
  
  I loved your Julia quote: “In cooking you’ve got to have a what-the-hell attitude.” Fabulous. Fabulous! Monsieur Tin Man, I bet you do have a fantastic “Julia Child” imitation up your chef’s sleeve. Funny! Do you have a favorite “Bouillabaisse” recipe? Perhaps Virginia also has one. . .
  
  Happy Holidays!!
  T.
  
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24/7 in France on 21/12/2012 at at said:

Over the holiday season, I’m looking forward to enjoying some of the items focused in these great photos. French food shopping does indeed have a way of changing how one looks at/enjoys food and les relations humaines. Joyeuses Fetes!

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- Theadora Brack on 21/12/2012 at at said:
  
  YES. I also love the hand-painted holiday murals on the shop windows and doors. All across Paris restaurants, pâtisseries, boutiques, and even pharmacies get the spirit going by hiring artists. They really contribute a little something more to the color and dazzle of this season of transformation. Sigh! T.
  
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  - 24/7 in France on 22/12/2012 at at said:
    
    It is indeed magical here, especially at this time of year!
    
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Patti Kuche on 21/12/2012 at at said:

You have my Awe, and thank you TB for the feast!

The markets might have moved on but I have happy memories of some great bars in Les Halles . . .

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- Theadora Brack on 21/12/2012 at at said:
  
  Julia also loved the bars at Les Halles. After a night of “clubbing” in Montmartre, she’d trek to Les Halles for onion soup and red wine. OH, no. Now I’ve got a strong hankering for onion soup and red wine!
  
  Here’s Julia’s description:
  
  “After the club closed, at 3:00 a.m., we went on to Les Halles and walked around admiring the forts des Halles—
  The barrel-chested market workers—unloading crates of fresh watercress from trucks, stacking freshly cut flowers, and preparing for the day. It was cold and dark, but the vast marketplace was beautiful under splotches of yellow electric light. As dawn lightened the edges of the sky, we found ourselves at Au Pied de Cochon for a traditional bowl of onion soup, glasses of red wine, and cups of coffee. At five-fifteen, we straggled home.
  
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Tammy Davis on 21/12/2012 at at said:

One of your best!

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- Theadora Brack on 21/12/2012 at at said:
  
  Thank you, Tammy!! I thoroughly enjoy working on the post. Enjoy the weekend! T.
  
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pedmar10 on 21/12/2012 at at said:

well it was discovered already at J.C. but nice piece and great photos as usual. And yes now Rungis is bigger than all, and the Halles is prettier ::) and even better once renovations are done.

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- Theadora Brack on 21/12/2012 at at said:
  
  YES. J.C. lived on Olive Street in historic Georgetown. Bravo!! Have you visited Rungis? And what do you think of Les Halles complex? It’s a hustling, bustling mall and Métro stop. I always get a little turned around in the place. Pay attention to the number system! T.
  
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  - pedmar10 on 22/12/2012 at at said:
    
    ah Les Halles is great for shopping but also especially at night attract other crowds …. the metro stop and the whole RER complext I always tell folks coming in new to avoid it.Rungis have visited once way back;now just pass by it lol!!! However, my post on Orly is great much improve airport.Merry Christmas
    
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bentehaarstad on 21/12/2012 at at said:

Love this post about the food market. Enoyd the old and the new.

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- Theadora Brack on 21/12/2012 at at said:
  
  As always, thank you for the swell words! It’s fun to mesh the old with the new. It’s how I experience the world, on most days! T.
  
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Frank Hardy on 21/12/2012 at at said:

Enjoyed the post, but especially enjoyed the post cards. Is it easy to find post cards and old photos in flea markets in Paris? I would imagine cards would be … maybe not the old photos and if you could find them, they would be expensive. Thanks … Frank

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Richard Guest on 22/12/2012 at at said:

Fab post, T! Love your photographs, and the old postcards are fascinating. N has just given me the lowdown on Julia Child – I’d never heard of her.

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isabellart on 23/12/2012 at at said:

great commentary ! your photos were really wonderful too ! Have a Happy Holiday season !

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mobius faith on 24/12/2012 at at said:

I love those vintage colorized photos. Beautiful find.

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sustainabilitea on 26/12/2012 at at said:

Ahhhh, finally made it here and loved my travel to the markets via the TB time travel machine. The postcards are wonderful! On Cleveland’s east side we’re blessed to have an almost year-round market that goes indoors when it gets cold and is outdoors the rest of the time. I’ll miss that when I move! We also have a young woman who does wonderful French pastries and confections: http://www.coquettepatisserie.com/.

I hope you had a glorious Christmas with lots of family and friends. And in advance, best wishes for a blessed 2013!

janet

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Tanja is Travel Crazy on 27/12/2012 at at said:

I have a feeling that I’ll be visiting more markets, bakeries, and Pharmacy shops than anything else on my trip next May!! Oh wait, there are museums, beautiful sights, and gardens too! ?? How will I fit it all in!? ha ha! Loved the vintage postcards! You just gave me a fabulous idea for my goal of a “travel themed” x-mas tree for next year! Using postcards as ornaments! Thx 🙂 Tanja

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12thsonoflama on 27/12/2012 at at said:

Great post – I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends. The photos of the seafood are terrific. Keep up the great work documenting one of my favorite cities in the world in 2013 (it’s a crime I’ve only been there once!). I just have to live vicariously through you for now.

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bargaindiva on 02/01/2013 at at said:

Congratulations! I nominated you for the 2012 Blog of the Year Award-http://fashionablyunderbudget.wordpress.com/2013/01/02/2012-blog-of-the-year-award/

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Malou on 13/02/2013 at at said:

Lovely post with amazing humor, Theadora! I’m such a big fan of French markets and if I can only have my own way, I’ll need a truck for all the things I want to buy. 😉

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- Theadora Brack on 15/02/2013 at at said:
  
  MERCI, Malou. A truck or the new Autolib’ !! T.
  
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