Art Market in Montparnasse:

For my theme, I decided to explore the open markets.  Although Boston has a weekly produce market, the markets in Paris seem to be a much more integral part of the culture.  There are many specialty markets in addition to the food markets, including book and stamp markets.  I really enjoyed the bird market.  I was really amazed that this could make enough money to exist, but there were customers even when it was just opening.  There were beautiful birds every color you could imagine, and even some rabbits too.  Our last day in Paris I went to the art market in Montparnasse- this was one of my favorite things I did in my free time.  I met a German artist who explained how the market works.  It is regulated by the city of Paris so that only original works may be sold, and the artists must be present at their booths.  For me this was a great experience to actually get to meet the artists and buy something a bit more special than street art.  I was also amused because he asked if I was Canadian because I could speak French. 

Flower market at Place de la Madeleine and Bird Market:

I noticed that the French culture of shopping and spending time outdoors goes much beyond the markets.  Eating outside a restaurant is very popular- even in the bitter cold.  Almost every restaurant has heaters and plastic screens so that its customers may enjoy the outdoors without getting too cold.  Most food stores open up to have shelves and displays outside on the sidewalks.  There are also many people on the street selling paintings and mini eiffel towers and post cards- but this is just for the tourists.  There is a history of outdoor merchants though, which Sophie explained to us on our trip to Versailles.  She said many people would be out trying to sell hats to all the king's visitors.

Melissa Diskin

Fruit stand outside a store, bird toys from the bird market, and flowers: