Spring is blossoming in Paris as sprigs of green sneak into our grey city, bringing us back to life after months spent under winter skies. As an opening act to the Lily of the Valley vendors in May, bunches of daffodils are now being hawked on street corners, in front of cafés and bistros, and in flower shops across the city. The cheerful flowers are the first sign of the transition towards spring for Parisians, who can’t help but bring a bunch home to brighten up their cozy apartments.
Soon the markets will be filled with spring fruits and vegetables, with asparagus making its way onto restaurant menus and bright shoots of rhubarb perking up farmers’ market stalls. My favorite spring arrival are the first barquettes de fraises, little light red strawberries that get swept up by eager market shoppers in a matter of seconds. I always make a habit of heading to Marché Daumesnil in the early days of April to keep an eye out for the first spring produce of the season, brought into the city by the variety of local farmers you’ll find at this market.
The season is also perfect for exploring the city by bike! Rent a Vélib’ for the day and enjoy rays of springtime sunshine as you pedal around Paris with the wind at your back. Pick up some radishes and other seasonal veggies at Marché Bastille then stop by Du Pain et Des Idées for fresh-baked organic bread, and you’re ready for a picnic on the banks of the trendy Canal St. Martin.
Paris is the perfect place to come down with a case of spring fever. It’s a season of outdoor dining, rosé sipping, sunglass wearing bliss. So pull up a chair at your nearest terrasse and get ready to bask in the sunny months to come!
Related Links:
- Spring is the season for bike rides! Read our tips for navigating Paris by bike.
- Check out the Canal St. Martin area, where cozy cafés like Le Poutch or Japanese cantinas like Petit Usagi abound.
- Bloggers at Girls Guide to Paris talk about why they love Paris in the springtime.
Written by Emily Dilling for the HiP Paris Blog. All images by Emily Dilling unless noted. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, London, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.
WRITTEN BY
Emily Dilling
Emily Dilling is a France based writer and author of My Paris Market Cookbook: A Culinary Tour of French Flavors and Seasonal Recipes. In 2005 Emily moved to Paris from her native California and began exploring the cities markets, restaurants, and cafés. In 2010 she founded the blog Paris Paysanne, where she writes about her favorite addresses and artisans in the city. Emily currently lives in the Loir-et-Cher region of France, where she writes and works in the grapevines.
It’s hard to appreciate the beauty of daffodils, primroses and spring mornings when you are so eager for summer to arrive!
Lovely post! I will definitely search out marche Daumesnil, my kind of marche.
Thanks for this info!
Carolg
Ahh Spring, I remember Spring .. it was a very long time ago ..
I look out my window and see snow still. I worry that Spring might skip us this year.