As well as the difference in the products there are other differences between Market Day in St. Andrews (see post from August) and Market Day in France. The biggest difference is perhaps in the way it's viewed by the people who live here. Market Day here is really a way of life, all year round - my French teacher informed me that she never buys her vegetables at the store, only the market. People wait for market day to buy their produce, cheese, meats, fruits, eggs etc. rather than going to the local supermarket. People will go to the market in the town down the road if they need to. Everyone seems to know when each of the markets are. At Mike's market (similar to Vernon) there were predominantly crafts and prepared food with a few farmers' stalls thrown in. Here it's mostly vegetables, meats, fish, cheeses, NO crafts. Also surprisingly, few bread stalls (maybe 1). Perhaps that has to do with the fact that there are 3 or 4 boulangeries/patisseries in town where you can buy baguettes, pain du chocolat, etc. Oh, and flowers.
Not sure what type they are but very pretty!
We were quite surprised by the number of meat and seafood vendors. Rabbit is a common meat, but looking at the skinned, whole rabbits was a bit unsettling. Once purchased, the butcher cuts off the head and chops the rest into pieces.
Another item I haven't seen at often markets in Canada is mushrooms - many shapes and sizes and obviously fresh. This particular vendor uses an old style scale to measure this large one - I think the sign said cepes (porcini I think).
And of course LOTS of garlic and peppers:
And who wouldn't want to buy huge slabs of nougat?
Market day will definitely be part of our weekly routine here in Prayssac.
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Another major difference - the hours of this market (according to the sign and not actually verified by us) 5:00 to 14:00.
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