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In France, the concept of the market is still one that retains its traditional ethos. Unlike in the UK and the USA where local outdoor shopping events have been revived and renamed ‘farmers’ markets’, the French had no need to reinvent the idea. These events are intrinsically linked to the culture, and on any French canal holiday you will have the privilege of experiencing at least one, and possibly many more. Introducing the Markets The outdoor shopping concept is an integral part of France’s focus on good eating, and most sell a wonderful array of fresh fruit and vegetables as well as meat and sometimes fish. The whole experience is as authentic as you could wish for and, as every town has its market day (and some larger ones have two), as you cruise through the itinerary on your French canal holiday, you will stumble upon many. Today most of these markets offer a mix of stalls, with some focusing on food produced on the local family farm and others on providing a range of products. The largest markets in rural France are known as fairs (foires) and these are traditionally bigger affairs that take place monthly, usually on the town’s saint’s day. Back in the day, livestock would have been sold too, but today this doesn’t happen. These bigger occasions attract traders from further afield and usually include a different genre of stalls, which could include ironmongers, clothes, crafts, larger organic produce stalls and more. Sometimes a small funfair will be thrown in to keep the kids busy too. Most towns (and certainly the cities) in France have covered markets too (marché couvert). These are classic occasions with fruit and vegetable stalls (many run by small producers), butchers, bakers and delicatessens. You will often see the chefs from local restaurants ferrying boxes of the fresh, bountiful produce back from these stalls to their restaurants. If your French canal holiday takes you through Paris, look out for the smaller pop up stalls on the pavements of the wide boulevards under the trees that spring up every so often too. Famous French Markets Some of these traditional affairs have generated a huge national reputation. The flea market at the Porte de Clignancourt in Paris, for example, and the flower market in Nice. Not to mention the Christmas ones in Strasbourg, the olive ones in Provence and the fish markets in the old port of Marseilles. Bordeaux has its own wine markets and the ones in Perigueux are gastronomically famous, which isn’t surprising when you discover the French truffle and foie-gras sold there. Generally, however, these outdoor shopping extravaganzas are smaller scale and attended by local producers for the local community. They don’t need a reputation, they are just very much a part of the way of life in this wonderful country. On your French canal holiday, opportunities to visit these lively and colourful outdoor shopping events will crop up all the time. Make sure you take advantage as they can be a real highlight of any barging trip. When booking your French canal holiday, a reputable tour operator is a good place to start your planning. They will have all the inside info on the places that will best suit what you want to do on your trip. If markets are a priority, however, most of the cruises on offer will oblige! Author Plate Paul Newman is the Marketing and E-Systems Executive for European Waterways, the UK's most respected provider of all-inclusive, luxury French canal holiday itineraries. Part of a team of experienced barging aficionados, Paul is first in line to endorse the perks of a slow-paced barge cruise to anyone looking for a unique holiday experience.
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