Today’s agenda consisted of a food walking tour and a bit of history of the area we had visited. We landed at Etienne Marcel, our last stop when taking the metro. Instructions to the destination were clearly stated in the World Strides App and the trusty Citymapper App, which is essential for navigating real-time public transport in Paris.

We started off in the old Les Halles district, which was initially known as the central Paris food market. This century-old place still has old railings right under your feet, noting that there used to be trolleys that ran through the district at one point in time. Our first food tasting of the day was clementines, highlighting the fresh produce that came to the market every day. People in France tend to grocery shop every day instead of once a week due to the lack of storage space and the produce rotation.

The center part of this district is covered by a “lid,” also known as the canopy, which has gone through millions of dollars in renovation. Back in these underground space provided a space for unwarranted activity however with a police station cemented in the same space, these activities are no longer present. Within this lid is a variety of stores and vendors, a mall, perfect for a place to shop and explore.

Spiraling into the Food Tour

We then visited a chocolate shop in which had these a rich, creamy, and slightly bitter taste. Made with hazelnuts and cocoa beans, it was compared to as a better and healthier Nutella chocolate.

We then stopped by a shop to get our supply of baguettes to be shared with the group. It is important to note that baguettes should never be torn or eaten directly from as it is considered improper. With that in mind, we handed our baguettes to a cheese monger who sliced the baguettes to be enjoyed with our special array of cheese. It included cheese from a goat, a sheep, a cow, and even a blue cheese! It was also further supplied with cider, green olives, tomatoes, and cured sausage from our lovely guide, Bee!

After a flavor burst we went to cleanse our palette with two different pastries. A chocolate eclair and a chewy almond and lemon jam treat! These sweets were acquired from the oldest pastry shop known in town.

Our final stop was an old church in which had a 3-D art exhibition as well as a daily soup kitchen! Chefs were recognized even after passing and had their names places into this glass cube to pay tribute to their handwork and dedication.

The Present

This tour was not only informational but also yummy! We got to taste an array of different foods, from snacks to desserts. Although this area had a scandalous past, the present holds a much brighter place for people to get all their market needs. It is a perfect place to visit just to stop by or to even sit down and chat over a cheese board; it is perfect for anyone.