A visit to Auckland, New Zealand may mean partaking in bungee jumping and harbor tours but there is so much more to do and see, as anyone staying more than a few days will quickly discover. Foodies – especially Europhiles – won’t want to miss the Auckland French Market, La Cigale. It will make you dream of the street markets in France, with all the pastries, great coffees and other goodies that go with it.

Auckland French Market is a bustling place

The Auckland French Market is full of all sorts of wonderful delicacies and not to be missed.

The Auckland French Market is a bustling affair with baguettes, veggies, pastries, and it’s obviously also a neighborhood gathering-place evidenced by the chummy tables of folks with noses pressed together in a tête-à-tête. Go hungry, stay awhile, sip espresso, watch the crammed shop get full, wander the street stands outside, and enjoy the convivial atmosphere. It’s a great break from Kiwi-ism for a few hours – nothing against Kiwi stuff, for sure! But this market in an industrial area in Parnell (St Georges Bay Road) offers a great break.  Saturday opening 8 a.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m., running both days til 1:30. But do check since schedules can change.

HITT Tip: We got to the Auckland French Market on public transit and on foot. Totally possible if you like to walk, but note that the buses and transit don’t run that often on weekends. So plan your departure carefully with “Maxx” — or plan to walk a ways. Which is also OK! Oh, and don’t miss the Paella… Huge pans of seafood/meat or vegie paella! We waited to get ours for lunch close to closing time and ended up with extra crab legs and mussels! YUM!!!
HITT Product Pick: Don’t forget your extra shopping bags, especially a compact one like the Sea to Summit Ultra-sil bags that can stash in your regular tote . They will come in handy at the French Market, promise.

At the counter in the French Market in Auckland, New Zealand

Map of New Zealand

In the map below, pins mark the exact location of all the sites mentioned in our articles on New Zealand. Zoom in or out on the map using the controls. Switch easily from map to satellite view. Click on each pin to pull up a tooltip with the name and any additional information.

Tawharanui Regional Park

Great walks and Kiwi birds in Tawharanui Regional Park

Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Postcard New Zealand: Waitangi Treaty Grounds a must-see

La Cigale French Market - Auckland

A visit to Auckland, New Zealand may mean partaking in bungee jumping and harbor tours but there is so much more to do and see, as anyone staying more than a few days will quickly discover. Foodies – especially Europhiles – won’t want to miss the Auckland French Market, La Cigale. It will make you dream of the street markets in France, with all the pastries, great coffees and other goodies that go with it.

Heads up! This information on what to do in Auckland was accurate when we published it on HI Travel Tales, but, as we know, traveling is all about changes (and inflation, sadly). Please be sure to confirm prices, transportation schedules, hours of operation, safety and health considerations, request for perfect weather during your entire visit, and any other important details before your adventure.

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