MARKETS and BROCANTES
Delicious local produce and artisanal wares are all to be seen on the market!
Showcasing some of the excellent produce of the region including magret or confit of duck, duck liver pâté,
artisan bread and cheeses, biscuits and patisserie such as walnut cake and much more.....
You could take your pick and make up a picnic with a bottle of the region's Gaillac wine.
MARKETS
A wonderful way to spend the day exploring a french market in the morning set in a beautiful historic village, a picnic by the river or taking a seat in a delightful restaurant overlooking wonderful old cobbled streets and historic buildings.
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Our favourite market is in St. Antonin Noble Val (Sunday) - it is a large market meandering through the streets of St. Antonin with delicious smells and sights to excite the senses selling spices, a huge choice of cheeses, charcuterie, delicious breads and pastries, artisanal wares such as knives produced in the region, leather belts, wallets and bags, table cloths, linen, clothing and so much more.
For lunch they have hot and cold traditional dishes on the market and many bars and restaurants to choose from - you could have a picnic by the river or take a kayak trip that takes you through the delightful gorges.
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Another large market we recommend is Villefranche de Rouergue (held on Thursdays) with many many stalls set up in the square and down many side streets of this busy town.
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For a small market in a beautiful historic town we suggest Castelnau de Montmiral (Tuesdays), Cordes sur Ciel (held on Saturdays) or Sauveterre de Rouergue (Friday evenings in July and August).
MARKET DAYS
Listed below in bold are the markets we most recommend for choice of products and location setting.
Most markets are on from approximately 8am until 1pm.
LISTED BY:
Day Place, & km
Location type
Places near market to visit
TUESDAY St Juéry, 9
village market
(Plage aux Avalats (beach, swim, canoe.) Albi)
TUESDAY
Castelnau-de-Montmiral 38
historic village
Gaillac Vineyards, Cordes, Puycelci, Bruniquel
TUESDAY Coupiac 25
small, historic village
Brousse le Chateau, Ambialet
WEDNESDAY Réalmont 28
large market
Lautrec - Plus Beaux Village, Albi - UNESCO
THURSDAY
Villefranche de Rouergue 42
historic town
Najac- medieval hilltop castle and village
FRIDAY Carmaux 11
local town
Cap de Couverte adventure park, Monestiés
FRIDAY >6pm.
Sauveterre de Rouergue 23
historic village
Chateau de Bosque, Belcastel, Parc de Pradinas
FRIDAY Lautrec, 37
historic village
Plus Beaux Villages, Realmont
SATURDAY Albi, 15
UNESCO city
Cathedral, Toulouse Lautrec museum, Cloisters
SATURDAY Naucelle, 21
small village
Sauveterre de Rouergue, Chateau de Bosque
SATURDAY Réquista, 20
small village
Brousse le Chateau, Villefranche de Panat lake
SATURDAY Cordes, 26
historic bastide
Artisan shops, historic buildings, Monestiés
SUNDAY Najac, 33
historic village
Castle inside & artisan shops, Monestiés
SUNDAY
Saint Antonin Noble Val 57
large artisan market
Penne, Bruniquel, Puycelci, Cordes
"Places near market to visit" - our highly recommended places are in bold.
(All the places listed are excellent to visit and either near the market or en route.)
In addition to these July and August are great oppurtunities for visiting summer evening markets - often with entertainment and delicious food to tempt you along with local wines and much more.
BROCANTES and MARCHÉ AUX PUCES (FLEA MARKETS)
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Discover hidden treasures when visiting a brocante - you never know what you will find! Something for the garden, the kitchen, an antique wooden chest, old postcards, collectors stamps, an old painting, a vintage outfit, who knows!!!
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On Saturdays Albi has a weekly Brocante - 20km at the Place du foirai du Castelviel 7am -12pm (under cover)
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In July and August Monestiés -16km has a brocante every thursday 5-9pm, and also a medieval pageant on the first weekend in August.
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In September Réquista 30km - once a year holds a huge Brocante market with over 400 stalls from 8am to 7pm -
selling all sorts of bric-o-brac, antique and car boot wares, collectors items, antique furniture, rugs, jewellary and much more. There are hot and cold food stalls to keep you nourished as there is so much to see!
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