There are very few towns or villages throughout France without their own, special markets they can offer you a chance to savour the French way of life. They normally start at from about 8am and finish a little after midday when everyone stops for lunch (a leisurely 2 hours) they are easy to find in the heart of the villages and towns. They offer a superb range of fresh local food, stalls piled high with vegetables/herbs, fruit, meat, fish, eggs, bread, wine, jams, preserves, dried herbs and spices, chesses, flowers and plants and hand-made crafts etc.

There are many markets to celebrate local specialities. The truffle market in Lalbenque, The Onion Doux in Citou held in October. There are markets too Foies Gras and Cassoulet and many more. Many of the markets are held in on historical covered market sites in villages and fortified towns.

Another type of traditional market is the garlic market. Pink garlic from Lautrec, white from Beaumont-de-Lomagne and the purple variety from Cadours are used as an excuse for some earthy garlic festivals in their respective towns. There are sumptuous flower markets.

Regular MarketsTravelling the length and breadth of Languedoc-Rousillan is sure to whet your appetite and you'll find everything you need in the countless local markets, full of superb local foods, wine and crafts, a pleasure that can only add to your discovery of the region. Carcassonne has a superb market every Tuesday, Thursday and the main weekly market on Saturday mornings in the main square - Place Carnot - selling fruit, vegetables, flowers plants, cheese, meats, herbs and spices, with a general market on the ring-road selling clothing, jewllery, leather, kitchen-ware, fabric, furniture etc.

Other local reguare markets are held at:

Esperza - Sunday  A large, colourful and busy market with arts and crafts, fresh fruit

and vegetables grown locally and other specialist local produce, in Place de la République, it’s popular so arrive early. The squares are good places to socialise.  

Limoux - Tuesday night (summer only) In July and August there is a night market which is a lively affair.

Quillan - Wednesday  Regional food market in the morning in Place de la République. Clothes, home ware and local handicraft market on all day in the Allées Jean Bourrel and Jean Jaurès  

Limoux - Friday A good range of local food and crafts attracts more of a French crowd.  

Quillan - Saturday Smaller than the Wednesday market, with a good selection of mainly food stalls, contre allée Courtejaire.  

Revel - Saturday   For a taste of the 'real' France , ¾ hour drive from us is Revel. We can recommend Saturday morning as an ideal time to absorb the French way of life and to collect some groceries. As well as a wide range of fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers, there are plenty of shops ... especially around the market square. An ideal opportunity to stock up with photographic film or even pick up the perfect holiday keepsake.

Flea Markets, Vides Greniers (car boot sales)are held all over the region, mainly on a Sunday in the summer months, and advertised in local newspapers and on signs by the road side are great fun to visit with many bargains still to be found, just remember don’t buy anything to large - you'll have to get it home!  

Night markets are also extremely successful. In July and August, Vic-Fezensac, Samatan, Solomiac and other localities in the region make the most of the cool summer nights to do their market shopping. Both holiday-makers and local inhabitants mingle around the producer's stalls and the tables that dot the streets and squares whilst the 'bandas', typically southern musicians fill the air with their brass and percussion instruments. An irresistible atmosphere, which is quite representative of summer in the Med. Our nearest is in Villegailhenc some 15 minutes away a lively affair with local produce and crafts with fresh oysters and large prawn on iced platters from 12 € held fortnightly.

Some local occasional markets:

July

First Saturday                          Villemagne - Vide-grenier

Eve ry Wednesday                    Puivert - Night market

First weekend                          Bram – Vide-grenier.

Second Sunday                        Conques – Vide-grenier.

Second Sunday                        Lampy – Vide grenier.

Third Sunday                            Brousses – vide-grenier.

Third Sunday                           Fontiers – Vide-grenier.

Third Monday                           Pennarties – Vide-grenier.  

August

Eve ry Wednesday                    Puivert - Night market

Fortnightly Thursday                Villegaihenc – Night market

First Saturday                                   Axat - Gastronomic Market

First Sunday                             Carlpi II – Vide-grenier.

Third Sunday                            Cabrespine – Vide-grenier

December

First weekend                          Trèbes - Christmas Market.