A visit to a French marché is a cultural experience and you can’t show up empty handed (or go home empty handed either). Do market day like the French do and be sure to bring a sturdy bag, basket, or cart with you. Transport your yummy finds in style with some of my top French market bags and basket picks I’m sharing below!
Best French market bags from France
When you go to any French marché, there are a few musts. The first is that you’ll need to bring some type of French market bag or basket with you. Most vendors only provide small paper bags or plastic ones and once you accumulate a few of them, they’re a little hard to manage without a shopping bag of some type.
Make your life easier (and more environmentally friendly!) by coming prepared with a French market basket that is fit for the job. Even if you don’t live in France or visit regularly, a French style market bag is an amazing multipurpose item you can use at home too. Think laundry, decor, or storage.
Some people use a basket, while others use a bag or even a cart on wheels. My favorites below are a little more stylish than regular old reusable supermarket bags, but those are perfectly fine and you’ll see them used all the time as well.
Another French market must is to carry small bills and change. While some vendors will take credit cards and be able to make change for larger bills, small bills and coins are appreciated — especially on a busy Saturday morning.
Last tip before we get into it is to go to the big weekend marchés on the early side if you’re in a rush and want to beat the crowds and have the best selection. You don’t need to go at the crack of dawn but before 9 a.m. is often best if you want to get in and out. 8 a.m. is even better. Otherwise, you risk long lines and busy stalls. But then again, that’s part of the French market experience.
With that, let’s get into my picks for the best French market bags from France (as well as baskets)!
Forget plastic bags and head to the farmers' market in style with these French market bags and baskets instead. From wicker baskets to sturdy bags with leather handles and more, you can't go wrong with any of my French market basket and bag picks below. Seagrass straw bags made in Morocco like this one are commonly seen at French farmers' markets and are a classy way to faire les courses like the French. They are perfect for toting your produce and other finds while also doubling as a beach bag, picnic basket, or even a laundry bag. If you only plan on doing a small haul, this linen and cotton blend tote bag is exactly what your market trips have been missing. From Charvet Edition, this thick, high-quality bag is about 18 inches tall and will help you to feel effortlessly French. I love the Paris and Eiffel Tower detailing! P.S. Quality French linens that are made in France might come with a higher price tag than you're used to, but they'll last you for years! I've been a fan of Filt market bags for years and they are the original French net shopping bag brand. These made in France bags come in all different colors with both long and short handles perfect for all your shopping needs. The lightweight cotton bags transport a baguette, bottle of wine and some produce with ease but aren't ideal for smaller items that could easily fall through the net openings. If straw and wicker aren't your cup of tea, why not pick up this jute bag instead. This reusable grocery bag features eye-catching vertical stripes with a water-resistant interior and a reinforced bottom. If shorter handles are more your style, this French market basket from Le Papillon Vert is an excellent choice. Handmade from palm leaves and leather in Morocco, it's the perfect size for all your market shopping. It is nice and sturdy but not bulky or awkward to carry. Another common French market basket choice is a wicker basket like this one. Sturdy and durable, the woven basket doubles as a home decor item perfect for magazines or even flowers when you're not using it at the market. For all our shopping needs, you can't go wrong with a large rectangular hand woven tote like this one. The sturdy construction makes it the ideal choice for big market hauls and looks classy at the same time. Sure beats plastic bags! Here's another jute French market bag option with some French text that'll transport you to Paris every time you use it. The chic bag has a water-resistant coating and a reinforced bottom. Another perk is that it has an interior zippered pocket great for keeping keys or a little cash tucked away. Ditch the traditional beige French market bag and go for a few pops of color instead. This oval-shaped woven bag is a nice alternative and is handmade in Ghana. No French market basket roundup is complete without a gorgeous shopping trolley on wheels from Rolser. This is the only brand I've used since moving to France in 2012 and Rolser has never let me down. Available in a wide variety of colors and patterns, these durable, high-quality shopping carts are the best in the biz and are a French market shopping must if baskets and bags aren't your thing. Plus, wheelie shopping trolleys are easy to maneuver and save your hands from hurting if you have a lot to cart home.French market bags & baskets I love
French Style Market Bag with Long Leather handles
French tote bag from Charvet Editions
Filt Net Market Bag - Made in France
Jute French Market Tote Reusable Grocery Bag
Le Papillon Vert Olivia French Style Market Basket
Wicker Market Basket with Handle
Rectangular Straw Tote Bag
Jute Market Tote Handles Reusable Grocery Bag
Large Oval French Market Basket
Rolser Foldable Shopping Trolley Cart on Wheels
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Tell me, what is your favorite French market basket to use when out shopping in France? Are you more of a French market bag, basket, or shopping cart kind of person?
Want even more tips so you can feel prepared and confident on your next trip to France? Check out my eGuide linked here with all kinds of French travel tips!
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I confess that I love the net market bags, but I had an epic fail with one when I was in Germany years ago. Basically, I was shopping at the grocery store, and like an idiot, I stuffed small items as well as large items into the bag and they were all sitting at awkward angles. The little items fell out of my bag as I walked back to my apartment, one item at a time, like Hansel and Gretel leaving breadcrumbs. I was chasing after these little items like an idiot, trying to find a way to put them back in my net bag but instead, I stuffed them into my jacket pockets. By the time I got home, I looked like I was wearing sausages, mustard, cornichons, mints, and bonbons as a fashion statement. It makes me laugh now, but I was mortified, and haven’t attempted shopping with one since then.
So your recommendation about the Rolser is genius!!! We are totally buying one in July when we return to Reims. Lugging those 6 packs of Badoit or milk will be so much simpler with the Rolser. I’ve been using Baggu (a fluorescent orange with blue polka dots that always makes the locals do a double-take) and the obligatory Monop’ giant white reusable sac that is as unwieldy as it is stiff. But the Rolser makes so much more sense!!
You are an absolute treasure, so please keep writing, posting, and YouTubing, and just know that you’re our funniest, most insightful, and most helpful resource for advice and recommendations that has helped me prepare and lay groundwork for the slow (I feel like a migratory bird!) transition that we are doing from the US to France. And I’m prepping for the (inevitable) culture shock too, and your posts really help in that regard. Thank you.
Hi Johanna, just wanted to pop in to say thank you for your kind comment and sharing your experience with the bags. I had the exact same problem with the net bags and really only use them now for BIG items to avoid leaving the “breadcrumbs” hahah. Glad it’s not just me.
SO SO SO happy you enjoy my posts and videos ;-)))) Makes me so happy.