Le Marché du Dimanche

I finnally got my bike out, put air in the tiers & rode to the market in St. Antonin on Sunday. It still isn't really sunny or warm but it was a beautiful day for a bike ride none the less. The market was surprisingly crowded for May. Many English speakers & tourists were there. So different from the old days when no one at all spoke English. I even met an American couple who now live in St. Antonin with their guests, one of whom was from Charleston SC. Such a small world.

Because it was a bit grey, I did not take my usual sunny shots of all the fresh produce. It's early yet & many things are not yet in season. There are cherries though & fresh peas, two of my favorites. 

Instead I consontrated on what the market looks like as you make your way through the busy lanes & throngs of people.

And then I also focused above the fray looking at the buildings just over the tops of the market parasols.

I enjoyed my ride into St. Antonin & loved shopping at the Sunday market again but I was also happy to get home & unpack my purchases & make myself a nice lunch.

You can see what I bought from the photo above. The little container in the foreground is Aligot  which is a traditional dish from L'Aubrac region not far from here. It is made by combining melted cheese blended with mashed potatoes. It is traditionally prepared in a large pot & stirred vigorously until it becomes smooth & stingy rather like fondue. It is delicious.

Wish I could have shared just a little with thoes of you now 

Dreaming of France.

Les Paniers (Part 2)

I confess to being one of thoes people that is curious about what other people have in their shopping carts at the supermarket. Back home I  guess the curiosity is simply wondering what other people eat, what their habits are. But here in France my curiosity is less about what someone has bought as it is about the artistry of the purchases.

I can't help but wonder what's in all thoes beautiful shopping baskets. The little packets of pastries & cheeses,  the fruits & vegetables at the bottom so artfully arranged are all so beautiful & enticing. 

Even when it isn't possible to actually peek inside, there is often some lovely thing sticking out the side of a basket, a bouquet of flowers warped in newspaper for example.

Sometimes it looks as if the basket belongs to a tourist buying all the necessities for an impromptu picnic.

While others are  filled with  artisanal breads & vegatables & other farm fresh supplies for the coming week.

And then there are thoes

that clearly contain the ingredients for a classic French Sunday lunch.

But no matter what the purchases are there is such a beauty to them. It almost seems as if the very act of shopping at the market in France is in & of itself an actual art form.

Today I am linking up with Paulits's weekly meme Dreaming of France. 

Wishing you all a happy Monday !