Uzes, a city of roughly 8,500 in southern France , boasts cobbled streets, medieval towers, and a cathedral destroyed and rebuilt twice—a victim of religious wars. Uzes also hosts a twice-a-week open air market that attracts locals and visitors from as far as Avignon and Arles .
It drew me like a fly to cheese.
I thought I knew what to expect of market day thanks to the Market Day in Nice post on Patricia Sands' blog. Her post even included a video and a soundtrack.
Nevertheless, market day in Uzes overwhelmed me with its bounty: dozens of types of goat cheese, a variety of olive oils, olives, jams, breads, fish, sausages, not to mention fresh fruits and vegetables. I walked, sniffed, and stared at the sensory banquet around me.
Lunch that day consisted of hearty bread, saucisson, goat cheese, olives, and fruit. It tasted of heaven.
I miss the market in Uzes, so tell me, do you have a favorite open-air market stateside? Where is it and what do you buy?
7 comments:
I love those open air markets, Pat, and your description makes me hungry for all those fresh fruits and vegetables.
You know, you'll have to convince your hubby to make another trip to France. :)
He wants to return, too, Sheila. I don't know whether it will be in three years, five, or ten, but we'll go back.
A handful of olives would sure taste good now.
I love market days in the small French villages and make it a point to hit as many as I can. Cooking at our rented houses with fresh ingredients makes me feel so local!
One of my favorite in the bastide town of Eymet has the most hilarious ladies' underwear booth. The owner tacks up HUGE white cotton woman's panties--5+ feet wide at least--over the entrance and the village women root through bins of everything from old fashioned white cotton bras to Frederick's of Hollywood style lingerie.
Wonderful, Pat. It's been many years since I visited the South of France and I so miss the markets. The ones stateside just aren't the same.
Whoa! I've got to see that underwear booth, Lark. Thanks for giving me another reason to go back to France.
Pat, I'm so glad you're sharing your trip to France with us. Sounds like an awesome open air market and a yummy lunch. You and your daughters must be having the time of your lives! I haven't been to an open air market in years.
Shoot, Lynn, I was hoping you'd point me to an open-air market on this side of the Atlantic.
That lunch will live in my memory forever.
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