Away from the palace crowds, the Notre-Dame market is where Versailles does its shopping, and it has done so for generations. The covered halls are open Tuesday to Saturday from 7:00 to 13:30 and from 15:00 to 19:30, and on Sunday from 7:00 to 14:00, and the open-air stalls, known as the Carrés, set up on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday mornings. You will find seasonal produce, cheese, charcuterie, bread, pastries, organic growers and ready-to-eat food stands, plus a few non-food stalls for clothing, crafts and small repairs. The market is in the Notre-Dame quarter, a short walk from the palace, which makes it an easy morning stop or a lunch-time detour. It is free to wander, and the atmosphere is local rather than touristy. In low season the open-air stalls are smaller, but the halls stay lively and the cold weather makes the soup and cheese stands especially welcome.
What to try
Buy bread and cheese for a picnic, pick up pastries from a baker, or build a small lunch from the ready-to-eat stalls. The newer food areas include seafood and flour stands, and the organic Carré has been running for several years. Prices are typical for a good French market, and vendors are friendly if you ask what is in season.
How to plan
Aim for the morning, when the choice is widest, and note that the market is closed on Mondays, the same day as the palace, so it is not a Monday filler. On Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays you get both halls and open-air stalls, which makes those days the best. Bring a bag, some cash for small stalls and an appetite. After the market, you can walk to the palace in about ten to fifteen minutes, or stop at one of the cafes around the square.
Good to know
The market is wheelchair accessible with some assistance and pets are welcome. Hours can change on public holidays, so check the tourism office page before a special trip. For a longer food day, pair the market with a stroll through the old town of Notre-Dame, where bakeries, cheese shops and cafes line the streets. A morning here is the best antidote to a day of queues and marble.
What to expect
The experience
A covered market hall plus open-air stalls selling produce, cheese, bread, pastries and ready-to-eat food, with a local crowd.
Best time
Tuesday, Friday or Sunday morning, when both halls and open-air stalls are running.
How long
One to two hours, longer if you eat lunch there.
Tips
Go early, bring a bag and some cash, and remember the market is closed on Mondays.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Food lovers and anyone who wants a local morning away from the palace crowds.
- Families
- Children enjoy the bakery and pastry stalls; the open-air stalls give room to move.
- Couples
- Pick up a picnic and carry it to the gardens, which are free in low season.
- Pair with
- A morning palace slot or a Trianon afternoon.
- Time needed
- One to two hours.
Good questions
When is the Notre-Dame market open?+
The covered halls are open Tuesday to Saturday from 7:00 to 13:30 and 15:00 to 19:30, and on Sunday from 7:00 to 14:00. It is closed on Mondays.
When are the open-air stalls there?+
The open-air Carrés set up on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday mornings. Hours are around 7:30 to 14:00.
Is the market free to visit?+
Yes, entry is free and you only pay for what you buy. It is a good free activity between palace slots.
How far is the market from the palace?+
It is in the Notre-Dame quarter, roughly a ten to fifteen minute walk from the palace gates. It is an easy stop on the way to or from the station.
What should I buy at the market?+
Cheese, bread, pastries and seasonal produce make an easy picnic, and the ready-to-eat stalls handle lunch. Ask the vendors what is in season.
