Marché aux Fleurs Reine Elizabeth II

Historic flower market under iron pavilions on Place Louis Lépine

The flower market on the Place Louis Lépine has traded on the same spot since 1830, making it the oldest in Paris. Under cast-iron and glass pavilions, stalls sell cut flowers, potted plants, shrubs, and gardening bits and pieces — a splash of colour and scent in the middle of the stony island, a few steps from Notre-Dame. It was renamed for Queen Elizabeth II after her 2014 visit.

It is a place to wander and photograph rather than shop, unless you are setting up a Paris balcony. On Sundays the flowers give way to a small bird market. Open daily; quietest and prettiest in the morning light.

shopping market ile de la cite