Beef Bourguignon at Les Marches – Cozy bistro in Paris

Ever since I landed in Paris, I had been craving delicious French bistro food, but due to various logistical challenges, it took a few days before I finally got around to make it happen.

It was a cold and gray day, and I had been at a fashion show all morning, not really eating anything other than my handbag emergency stash of raisins and nuts, so I was starving, when I stepped inside at Les Marches.

It was around lunchtime, and the restaurant was completely full, so I didn’t have high hopes when I asked the staff if, perhaps, maybe they had a table for one? There wasn’t one right away, but if I could wait 5-10 minutes, they would figure something out? Of course, I could.

I love French bistro food, and I often find it difficult to choose what to order, as I usually want everything on the menu. Though on this cold day, it was the Beef Bourguignon that tempted me the most, so that’s what I ended up having. Beef Bourguignon is a French stew made with beef braised in plenty of red wine and typically served with potatoes.

The bread at Les Marches was really good, and there was plenty of it, and as you probably know, I’ve always had a bit of a love-hate relationship with good bread. While there’s nothing better than starting a meal with a nice piece of bread and butter, if the bread is too good, I can’t help but eating it all, and then I’m already full when the food arrives.

Fortunately, my food arrived quickly, before I had the time to go through the entire bread basket, and after the beef bourguignon made its entrance, it got my full, undivided attention. A wonderful dish that only got better along with a glass of generously poured red wine.

Les Marches is located in the 16th arrondissement down by the Seine, with the Eiffel Tower on the other side, so you would probably expect Les Marches to be both touristy and pricey, but it’s not. I was the only non-French-speaking guest when I was there, and the price level wasn’t significantly higher than at most other bistros I’ve been to in Paris. Furthermore, the staff was really nice and attentive, and even though the restaurant was busy, they had time to talk to the guests, many of whom seemed to be regulars.

Les Marches, 5 Rue de la Manutention, Paris