So here I am while watching all the traffic jams of my eternal Paris and in lovely Morbihan with cool breezes , light rain, and NO traffic! The benefits of the French countryside! And while getting ready for another round of markets let me bring you up to date on two of my favorites.
Well, favorites because these are the towns i lived here. Auray was my entry point for 2 years, and for the last 6 years it has been Pluvigner. Let me tell you a bit about the markets.
At Auray, the big Monday market. In the heart of town, it welcomes up to 400 merchants in the summer, from 150 to 200 in low season like now. It is open from 8h to 14h30 from June 1st to September 30th. From 8h to 14h from October 1st to May 31st. This is also around the Place de la République and it is front to the Hôtel de Ville or city/town hall.
There is ,also, the organic market on Thursday.At the Place Notre-Dame, it welcomes up to 25 merchants. From 17h to 20h
There is the local producers market on Friday. At Place Notre-Dame, it welcomes up to 20 traders. From 8h to 12h30.
And you have the covered market or Halles at the Place de la République, right next to the Hôtel de Ville where they are home to about twenty traders who offer fresh produce all year long. Open every day from 8h to 13h.
The city of Auray webpage: City of Auray on the markets
And this is a bit of history I gather from the city page and the médiathéque or local library, which I put up in English
The Market or Marché of Auray would be the largest in Morbihan, but those of Vannes or Hennebont, two other cities of the department 56 established since medieval times, like Auray around the castle of the Dukes of Brittany, also claim this title.
In the Auray archives, You can find traces of a first fair in 1434, when the duke created that of St. Elizabeth (celebrated November 19), at Place du Four-Mollet, to fund the Commandery of the Holy Spirit, the hospital for the poor (This Chapel still here now use for events and expositions) . There were rabbits, partridges, woodcocks, but also blackbirds and thrushes; wild boars and deer, but also foxes, otters and polecats! And the regulation already states that the removal of the wheel barrows from the market once unloaded was obligatory.
Today, it is the influx of seasonal exhibitors that upsets the habits of those who come to sell and buy year-round, and makes the Auray market the obligatory passage for visitors staying in the region.
And a bit on the Pluvigner market, much smaller but by now very friendly and warm place to be on Saturday morning if around, which that is the problem always out somewhere and not enough in my town!!!
Every Saturday morning from 8h to 13h at the Place St Michel. Near the Mairie of Pluvigner or city/town hall.
There is, also, a Christmas market or Marché de Noël on December 22nd from 10h to 18h. Many stands of local producers and handicrafts, and many animations. This one I am looking forward to be there…..
The city of Pluvigner webpage: City of Pluvigner on the market
So there you go and of course if by these neck of the woods let me know would love to entertain a fellow blogger follower ::) The market are the soul of France be there or be square!
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!
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