One Sunday during the summer months we were out and about in the car. After visiting one brocante sale we were on our way to look for another we had seen online. As we drove along a small side street in the town of Saintes, the road we were supposed to take was closed to traffic, as there was a market. We decided to stop and take a look around. I am so glad we did as we possibly found one of the best open-air markets in the area.
There is every type of stall you can imagine cheese, seafood, meats, vegetables, wines, oysters, breads, freshly cooked rotisserie chickens, olives and not just one of each – multiple sellers so if one stall does not stock something another one may do. As a treat at the half way point you can also enjoy a beer and a sit down to people-watch in the local bar.
I think we have been spoiled with this market in Saintes but I wanted to try another. I had read about the market hall in Angouleme so we decided to visit and take a few hours out of renovating to see the sights. Armed with the chiller bag with some ice blocks as it is an hour drive we parked in an underground carpark next to the market. The market hall was quite quiet and the stalls very neatly presented. We picked out a selection of vegetables and an amazing mignon de pork. Although the market was nice I think there are probably more markets we have not investigated yet that are closer to home that are incredibly similar.
Market research will continue! There are so many. We never managed to make it to one this year but next year I am hopeful that we will get to visit a night market, I know its probably the same produce just at a different time of day! The majority of markets are from early morning until 1/2pm here.
Back in England the closest thing I could find to compare to produce found at a French market would be some of the farm shops which sold a range of local produce from Wiltshire and the Cotswolds. You would pay a premium for visiting these places. Don’t get me wrong the quality was fantastic but unless you were on a huge salary it would be completely impractical financially to do the weekly shop here.
One of the great differences I have found between the UK and France is seafood. In France there is an abundance of fresh fish and seafood with not only market stalls but supermarket counters displaying a range of produce that far exceeds that of the UK. I find however the quality of beef is better in the UK especially where it is aged. In France they do not age meat as standard they just seem to eat it once butchered. You can visit some supermarkets with special maturation cabinets but the price of the meat can be very expensive.
There are definitely pros and cons between both countries’ food wise but for market atmosphere – France wins hands down!
Clare x
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