FRENCH FOOD MARKETS

The words Food and France go together like Bread and Butter. Everyday the marche or market spreads out au centre ville, and have become the social heart of towns and villages throughout France.

The markets start at around seven in the morning and end at around one, giving you just enough time to go shopping for the day's meal, have coffee with friends and then head home to cook up a delicious lunch with all your fresh produce. Meal times are sacred in France, and it’s not unusual to sit at the table for a beautifully prepared meal in the middle of the day.

The markets in Nice, Rennes and Aubagne are favourites. Enjoy the harvest of seasonal products, and the varied specialities of the regions.

In Rennes, for example, the vendors make Crêpes and Galettes; in Aubagne, you’ll find nougat, honey and olive oil. But on the coast in Nice, you’ll see fresh fish and be greeted by the sound of the waves.

Open markets are displayed with artistic flair. In November, chestnuts and mushrooms fill the stands, and in summer, artichokes, flowers and sweet smelling fruit tempt shoppers. Each season gives way to celebrating the senses. Vendors create small still-life cameos that feed the soul as well as the heart.