Truffle markets
January 29, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
If you come to the south of France looking for traditional markets you won’t be disappointed. Almost every town has a weekly traditional market offering fresh produce – fruit, vegetables, cheese, meat etc wheer the pleasure of just looking at the products available is almost as great as enjoying them later.
If these aren’t enough head to one of the larger towns – Marseille, for example, as well as the large market in the harbour, has numerous markets relying in part on easy transport links with north Africa.
There are also various speciality markets – port towns will usually have a fish market etc. During the winter there is another type of speciality market that takes place across much of southern France – the market for black truffles.
Basque towns of south-west France
January 19, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
The Basque region runs along the border between France and Spain, and includes part of the south-west of France, running eastwards into the Pyrenees.
The region is attractive to visitors for various reasons, including the coastline and resorts, the mountain scenery and activities, and for the villages.
The Basque villages have a very individual style, with the houses being whitewashed, with the exposed wood (shutters, beams etc) being painted red or green – these are the traditional Basque colours and seen very widely in the region.
The red is apparently because the wood was originally painted with bull’s blood. Less common nowadays I think!
Biarritz, a fine southern city
January 11, 2009 by admin · 2 Comments
Biarritz is in the south-western corner of France, close to the border with Spain. There are several good reasons to visit this attractive city:
- the town itself contains very impressive grand 19th century townhouses with wrought iron balconies and other decoration, and is a pleasure to explore
- it is a lively town, where you can shop, eat and drink at all hours
Martel, in the Lot
January 2, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
The attractive town of Martel is in the Lot department, just to the east of the Dordogne and is a region I haven’t mentioned very often. Not, you understand, because it has nothing much to offer – rather, because I want to make sure that its beauty and charm remains unspoiled!
The north-west of the Lot department is the part I know best, and is jam-packed with natural beauty, beautiful scenery and great towns and villages.
