Vibrant markets all year round
Fresh, local, organic produce, exceptional products, even a chance to meet and exchange with producers? A wonderful one-of-a-kind experience to enjoy in a friendly atmosphere! There can only be one place for that! Down at the market or, should I say, the markets, as every town has their own with their own particular style.
Issigeac in Dordogne, Brive-la-Gaillarde in Corrèze, Boussac in Creuse, Panazol and Vayres in Haute-Vienne, Monsempron in Lot-et-Garonne, Andernos in Gironde, Chauvigny and Les Hérolles in Vienne, to name but a few… there are so many great markets around, we can’t list them all here. But, here are a few of our favourite ones.
Royan and its central market, perhaps the most original given its “1950s” architecture, echoing this Atlantic Coast town. Royan market, open every day except Mondays, boasts some 150 sellers and around forty producers: butchers, fish sellers, wine merchants, greengrocers… In 2018, this market also ranked as 2nd finest market in France in the French TV channel TF1’s contest.
Pau and its recently-renovated covered market with, of course, its fruit, vegetable, meat and fish stalls… but also with its tables for tasting, snacking, lunching… in short, indulging in great products. Open every day except Mondays, it’s Béarn and the Pyrénées’ new must-not-miss gastronomy hub.
Just like Pau’s covered market which has got a new lease of life, a breath of fresh air has hit a host of downtown markets:
- Mont-de-Marsan and its redesigned covered market (aka the Halles de la Madeleine) where you can do your food shopping of course but you can also have a drink, delight in a slice of “Pastis” (one of the local pastry specialities), and even have lunch.
- Bordeaux’s Halles Bacalan, near the Cité du vin: a new-generation market where you can sample and buy fresh produce.
- Angoulême, with its glass and iron-made 19th-century covered market, right in the heart of the historic centre, a feast for the eyes.
- Niort, with its Baltard-style covered market and its arcades, close to the medieval dungeon. Open every morning from Tuesday to Sunday. Oysters, goat meat, melons, Poitou goat’s cheese… the choice is yours!
Although these markets are open all year round, others only exist at certain periods.
Exceptional markets
From December to March is the period for foie gras and truffle markets, especially in Périgord and in Corrèze. Those held in Sarlat, Brive-la-Gaillarde and Tarrasson-Lavilledieu in Dordogne are amongst the most reputed.
Christmas markets: they have become a traditional event in the region’s main towns: from Limoges to La Rochelle, from Bordeaux to Biarritz and Aubusson.
Discover craftspeople, local producers, oysters here, chocolate and hot wine there in a scenescape of little wood chalets. Everywhere a festive atmosphere reigns supreme and often offers other activities (ice rink, toboggan run, funfair).
Epicurean, creative and curious, Carole adores cooking, aperitifs between friends and fine wine. Her addiction: chocolate! Her habit: bringing back local specialities from her holidays to share with friends and family.
