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Where is this in Paris?

Posted by on

In 2002 one of my daughters and I went to Paris. While walking along near the Seine, I remember small shops with many selling flowers and pet stores. My memory is very bad, but I believe it was near the Eiffel Tower, but on the opposite side of the Seine.

At the time I thought of how much I wished my wife had come with us, as it was just so beautiful and serene.

My wife has finally agreed to join me in Paris this June and I would like to take that same walk but this time with her. I am certain there were shops on one side and the Seine on the other side. My memory is so poor, I fear that if it even still exists, I will not be able to find the same area again.

Can someone please help me? Does this group of lovely small shops still exist? If so, exactly where?

Many thanks.

Posted by
1825 posts

Whether you find that same spot or not, I think you'll be able to capture that feeling almost anywhere in Paris. It sounds like a lot of places.

Posted by
7302 posts

There's not a lot of non-luxury shopping along the Seine. I remember that there is a plant shop and a pet shop when walking away from the Place du Châtelet, towards Pont Neuf. But Paris is subject to gentrification, like any other city.

Can you remember WHICH side of the Seine had the stores? The shopping on the shore opposite Notre Dame is picturesque, but I'm not sure it's as "genuine" as you remember. There are plenty of authentic "neighborhoods" in Paris, even if they don't have a view of the river.

Posted by
1443 posts

Are you perhaps thinking of the licensed sidewalk vendors, like these? You can browse for yourself using GoogleMaps in the street view mode.

Posted by
2466 posts

Thé plant stores are there but there have been problems with the pet shops - most of the animals came from illégal puppy and kitty mills outside of France. I believe only one pet store is still there. The others have been closed or turned into shops selling trendy furniture.
If you cross over to the Left Bank, on Sundays, you can go see the bird and flower market.

Posted by
10192 posts

Marché aux Fleurs is on the Ile de la Cité. The merchants chexbres is describing are on the right bank between Chatelet and the Louvre but closer to Chatelet, up on the Quai.

Posted by
286 posts

I believe you are thinking of Marche aux Fleurs et aux Oiseaux on the Île de la Cité. "Located on Place Louis Lépine between the Notre-Dame Cathedral and Sainte-Chapelle chapel, the flower market has attracted avid gardeners and curious passersby since 1830. Both covered and open-air, the market is mainly formed by pavilions from the 1900s. Their selection is huge: seasonal flowers, exotic flowers, orchids, plants, shrubs ... a unique and endearing place for a walk."

There are many flower shops and bird shops there. Or you might have come across a market set up for the day.

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