Snacks in Paris

Crepes, street food, fast food, and picnic pickings in Paris

You can get fairly quick meals, even full ones, at many brassieres and cafes, and Paris doesn't lack for food on the go either. The French often make a snack out of a simple baguette, torn off in hunks as they walk.

Crêpes

Paris's greatest street food is crêpes, sold at sidewalk stands and from store windows.

They're best when cooked fresh on the spot for you, but in touristy areas, crêpe stands often make up stacks in advance and merely reheat them on the griddle when you approach. Try to avoid these.

The cheapest, and in my opinion best, is au beurre et sucre(with butter and sugar), although you may prefer Nutella (a hazelnut-chocolate spread) and banana, or ham and cheese.

Picnic supples

You can visit a supermarket or gourmet store for your picnic supplies, but it's more fun and Parisian to shop at the little local food stores and street markets (ask your hotel about the nearest one of those—my favorite picnic shopping is the string of little shops along the north side of rue de Rivoli, across from St-Paul church in the Marais).

Pick up a baguette at the boulangerie (bakery), cured meats and the like at a charcuterie, and other groceries at an épicerie.

Top it all off with some fruit, pastries from a pâtisserie (the French excel at these), a bottle of wine, and you're set.



Intrepid Travel


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This article was last updated in February 2012. All information was accurate at the time.

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