Neighborhood markets are one of the fun diversions for tourists—one of the staples of life in Europe that is so different from our lives in America. And because of this, they make such an impression on us—we wander through them with lots of curiosity. I may have mentioned this before but since apartments, kitchens, refrigerators are so small, daily shopping at street markets is a necessary part of life here. It is also part of social life. 
Rue Cler, a little pedestrian street (since 1984) close to the Eiffel Tower, has always been a popular and interesting neighborhood market where locals are all business collecting their meat from the boucherie, the baguettes from the boulangerie, their cheese from the fromagerie, and catching up with the fish merchant’s family. There are even chic boutiques and less expensive "general" stores. Visitors stroll through watching the interchange between the locals, peeking in the windows, and soaking up the ambiance (and the smells!). You can spend less money on other market streets but this street has its own little magic.
I stayed very close to rue Cler for a week in 2003 (also a few nights in 2000) and always cut through on my way to the day’s destination or on my way home. It’s a fun place to sit at a local café and watch the world go by, plus there’s a post office at the end of the street.
