Well here I am updating this older post, nice memories even if smaller markets we tend to go elsewhere on Saturday mornings. However, these are our closest market on the city we live , Pluvigner and the city main Brec’h, we used to lived closest market at Auray. I like to tell you a bit more on these markets; hope you enjoy it as I.
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 close favorites. Well, favorites because these are the towns i lived here. Auray (Brec’h) was my entry point for 2 years, and for the last 8 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. There is a newer market by the gare or train station Place Raoul Dautry 8h to 13h30.
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. This is really our favorite there.
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.I say for sure Vannes is the largest!
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 see post) . 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.
The city of Auray on its markets: https://www.auray.fr/Ma-ville/Marches-et-halles
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. For sure, the cheeses are great here, and the goat cheese the star! right across is our bakery or boulangerie so one stop shopping ! They even have come up with a night market day too.
The city of Pluvigner market: https://www.pluvigner.fr/marche-hebdomadaire/
There you go folks, a nice one two punch on lovely countryside markets, the very heart of French gastronomy ; we love them!! Would be a great meeting point for a wordpress get together one of these days; I am ready! The markets are the soul of France be there or be square! Auray and Pluvigner are nice smallist town, great feel for the French way of life unlike Paris……Hope you enjoy the post as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 
Leave a Reply