Christmas Markets

Another Provencal tradition is the christmas markets where people go to purchase local artisan gifts and traditional foods for the holiday meals. On Saturday morning after going to the Avignon flea market, wading through quite a bit of mud and muck to find some odds and ends for the house (nothing goes to waste here in France) which included two night stands, a lovely wall mirror and crocks for coffee tea and sugar (only 35 euro for all of it - negotiating is a must), we headed into Avignon for their market in the town square - centered in the walled city. We had breakfast in a bakery/ice cream shop looking out of the square, then ventured out, including into the town hall (hotel de ville) which contains a provencal christmas tableau. It was pleasant even in the chilly air, but more for tourists and not special for us. In the afternoon when we headed to St. Remy for groceries, we quickly toured to christmas m

arket in the town square there (the main parking lot across from our ice cream shop) where the tents contained all of the local stalls. Many of the vendors were dressed in traditional French country costumes, to add to the festive nature, coffee and treats were served inside, while local people shopped and kissed. Outside were big beautiful horses and a carriage for a ride through town. The market closed on Sunday evening with a bonfire and within hours the tents were gone and everyone had moved on to get ready for Christmas, and the wednesday market. Sunday, when in Isles sur la Sorgue, in addition to the regular Sunday market, there were wooden huts which included the featured holiday items and foods. A pleasant walk through the town this time allowing us to really look at the community and stores (in the summer it is just too hot, too crowded to experience it). In all of the places we've been so far, little English or other languages, almost all French. Also, please make sure to review the posts on Aix for other information and photos- lovely Christmas market on the Cours Mirabeau - walk in the early evening around 5 p.m. so you can ejoy the holiday lights, rides for children, shopping, and people. Fabulous!