Local producers in Paris Region

Paris Region has plenty of culinary delights waiting to be discovered. If you love mushrooms, head for the Champignonnière de la Marianne. This former stone quarry has seen four generations of producers restore the famous cultivated mushroom of Paris to its former glory. In the Gâtinais regional nature park, in Seine-et-Marne, curious visitors with a sweet tooth can sample a delicious nectar, the local honey. This sweet treat is produced at the Miellerie du Gâtinais, which happens to be the only producer of royal jelly in Île-de-France.

There are also farms on the outskirts of the City of Light. The Ferme de Paris in the Bois de Vincennes appeals to young and old alike. In addition to its eco-friendly farming methods, the site also offers visitors an opportunity to get to know the farm animals and learn about agroecology.

Walking around Paris, you only have to look up to realise that agriculture has arrived in the city as well.

A multitude of alternative sites have popped up over the last few years and made local agriculture their main focus. The Bercy Beaucoup guinguette is located next to a shared kitchen garden, offering moments of togetherness against the backdrop of a vegetable patch. As an environmentally sensitive area, the kitchen garden on the open farm of Saint-Denis is proof that plants and the city can be a good combination.

But urban farming isn’t reserved just for third spaces. Certain major institutions have also gone green and opened their doors to the public. On the roof of Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, for example, you’ll find the largest urban rooftop farm in Europe. In the 12th arrondissement, rakes and spades are also kept busy on the roof of the Bastille Opera. Not to mention the beehives that are popping up all over Paris, from the MAD - Musée des Arts Décoratifs to the National Assembly. If you like dancing and honey, you can enjoy both your passions thanks to Mugo, who harvests honey straight from the rooftop of the Garnier Opera.

Want to find out more? Good, because the producers enjoy sharing their expertise through various culinary activities. In the 11th arrondissement, the maison BAPBAP has been created by two friends with a shared passion for beer. You’ll learn about each stage of the production process in detail, before proceeding to taste these hop-based beverages.

Fancy trying a speciality of the region? Watercress is cultivated in the south of Paris Region, at the Cressonnière de la Villa Paul. The producers from the Barberot family will unveil all the secrets behind this delicious vegetable. You might also be tempted by some of the products available in their shop!

But there’s more to the Paris Region’s local gastronomy. From brie de Meaux to wine from La Bouche du Roi, there’s no shortage of regional specialities to make your mouth water.

It’s easier than you think to become a locavore! From the district market to the local corner shop, doing your food shopping can feel like a walk in the park. And if you can’t go out, it’s now possible to order your products online. Planning to spend a weekend in the country? Take advantage of your stay to purchase your supplies from local producers. A pleasant way to make it even more enjoyable.

With their colourful stalls and delicious smells, their never-ending displays of fruit and veg, and their warm and friendly atmosphere, there’s no denying that the markets of Île-de-France are an absolute must for food worshippers. The market is the ideal place to fill your basket with super-fresh, organic and seasonal products from the local region.

Fine gourmets love them. Curious visitors are in a for pleasant surprise. There’s no place like a fine-food shop to appreciate the producers’ savoir-faire. You’re sure to find a generalist or specialist to satisfy your wishes… and your family’s appetite. From Printemps du Goût to the Grande Épicerie de Paris, you’ll have a hard time choosing from all those temptations. Looking for something even more local? Head for Myrthe in the 10th arrondissement, where Marion and Laura will tell you all you want to know about each of the items they sell.

Would you prefer to purchase straight from the supplier? Many producers have their own farm shop. And some even come to you. If you join a community-supported agriculture outlet (AMAP) or an association like La Ruche qui dit Oui!, you’ll be able to make your purchases directly from the producer.

There are also farms where you can pick your own. Harvesting fruit and vegetables is an enjoyable activity that offers children and adults an introduction to agriculture. Armed with boots and gloves, give it a try at Cueillettes de Compans. A great way to switch off.

Who better than a chef to impart the quintessence of the local gastronomy? From bistros to Michelin-starred restaurants, the dishes showcase the very best products from the soils of Île-de-France.

The chef Thierry Marx never ceases to innovate when introducing you to local specialities at Madame Brasserie. On the first floor of the Eiffel Tower, you’ll savour sophisticated dishes with a sustainable approach, ranging from the great bistro classics to signature dishes.

Activism on a plate. Indeed, the restaurant Les Résistants throws body and soul into defending local, sustainable, small-scale agriculture. Like other locavore restaurants, it invites you to try gastronomy with a commitment, in dishes that adapt to supply and follow the seasons.

Some restaurants are also proud to cultivate their own produce. Among them, Le Perchoir - Porte de Versailles serves dishes based on products grown on the roof of Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. In the 15th arrondissement, the chefs at the Frame Brasserie cook with ingredients grown on their own roof. With a view like that of the Eiffel Tower, their fruit and vegetables definitely offer a little taste of Paris.