Celebrating Local and Seasonal at La Récolte, Paris’ New Sustainable Food Shop

In the two years that led up to La Récolte‘s opening in summer of 2014, owner Mathieu Mulliez tirelessly explored France visiting independent producers. His goal was simple: find dedicated artisans practicing sustainable agriculture and bring their fresh, seasonal products to Parisians. The concept may seem simple, but it is shockingly difficult to find shops like La Récolte in Paris.

Bringing together quality products from France (and sometimes neighboring countries) as well as maintaining opening hours that correspond to busy city dwellers’ work schedules is a rare combination in Paris. Mathieu, who has worked his fair share of 9-5 jobs and has a love of cooking with quality ingredients, decided to meet this demand head on and create a shop that could welcome customers who are on their way home from work or looking for a quick, healthy lunch.

Mathieu’s two years of research paid off, and he now works with over 70 independent producers to stock the shelves of La Récolte. The partnerships that Mathieu has formed are presented to customers through producer biographies and photos that are posted next to the corresponding products throughout the store,  giving a face to each fruit, veggie, and fromage.

The shop’s stock doesn’t stop at fresh produce. Eight different sections – including fait mason (homemade), fruits and vegetables, meat and charcuterie, dairy, cheese, fish, spices, and wine and beer – make for a full-service food store, great for both groceries and gifts to take home. The in-house kitchen is active throughout the day, preparing vegetable-focused lunch options, fresh-pressed juices, and roast chicken to take home. On Saturdays the space is open to guest chefs who share their talent and recipes with the community.

La Récolte (which means “harvest” in French) is different from other organic shops in Paris because it looks beyond the “organic” label to find farmers and artisans that respect a sustainable and biodynamic approach to agriculture and aren’t just looking to take advantage of the organic trend. Mathieu’s support of these producers allows them to work their land according to their own standards of respect for nature and the environment.

This connection between the farmer and the consumer turns the shopping experience at La Récolte into more than just a grocery run — it’s an opportunity to get closer to the people who grow your food, as well as the seasons and the beauty of each harvest.

La Récolte – 18 Boulevard des Batignolles, 75017. Tel: +33 (0)1 44 69 03 87

Related links:

• If you’re around Canal St. Martin, stop in at Inaro restaurant for local, artisanal, and organic small plates.
• Emily also guides us to more of Paris’ best bio shops.
• Clotilde from Chocolate & Zucchini gives her tips on shopping organic in Paris.

Written by Emily Dilling for the HiP Paris Blog. All images by La Récolte. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, London, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.