Marketsreturn

« In the market you realize that peas grow on plants before ending up in a tin. »

All-the-year-round fruit and vegetable markets, flower and bird markets , postage stamp markets and flea markets : any excuse will do to set up stall on a town square or pavement (though you have to pay a fee to the town hall first). Once upon a time places of barter, markets have become a meeting place for villagers or local people, a place not to be missed if you want to hear the latest news.

Some people like to go to markets because they are picturesque. The traders are like characters in street theatre, giving a fresh performance every day. They call out to passers-by to attract their attention and sell their fruit and vegetables.

In the South of France, Provencal markets are bright with colour, full of good smells and nice things to taste, a real treat for regulars and even more so for tourists.

A tradition that has spread here from Eastern Europe is Christmas markets , all tinsel and glitter, which open at the beginning of December and close when Father Christmas comes.

" Don’t touch! Keep your hands off my cherries, I’ll do the counting !"

" Taste my radishes. They’ll make you pretty! "

Paris has 70 covered or open air markets.

French towns have more bakers, chemists or hairdressers than any other kind of shop.