France in Focus

Firstly let me say that I do not think that they are the cheapest places to do your shopping. However, there are still good deals to be found,

Over the years I had rather lost interest in markets. To me, they had become as repetitive as high streets have become - not necessarily the same vendors but certainly the same belts, purses/wallets, handbag, sunglasses, socks and knickers type stalls. I went to a decent sized one this morning and, of course, the time of year and upcoming la fête des mères will have influenced what was on show. Nonetheless, the quality (and surprisingly, prices) of some of the flower and veg plants was excellent. No doubt, the more expensive potted up plants and hanging baskets will be less than half price come Monday.

There was a huge array of local and not so local delicacies in the fresh produce area under the Town Hall and outside even more edibles. Clothes of all types were available - I noticed three racks of Princess Nut Nut type of dresses and began to worry that she might be a fashion influencer! I also saw a pair of man's denim shorts with frayed edges for 29€ and thought (i) I wouldn't pay that at a market and (ii) I could buy a pair of jeans for 10 - 15€ and cut the legs off.

Anyway it was an enjoyable morning with stall holder and shopper alike seeming in good spirits.

I rarely go to our market but my missus is a regular & has been for yonks.
She's known by her christian name to a fair few stallholders as is Bob & shops always at with the yoghurt, butter & cheese lady, fish man who buys off the boats every morning at Trevignon & always keeps back mussels or sardines/mackerel for her when in season, bio veg & plant lady who's become a bit of a friend & pops in for coffee now & then plus others if anything edible & interesting catches her eye.
Yesterday the Roscoff farmers were there with their excellent caullis @ 1,50€ ea. or 2 for 2,00€. & later in the season they'll have spuds & their famous onions for sale by the sackfull.
Most stuff is cheaper at the supermarkets but who cares!.
The quality of the produce she buys is second to none & well worth the slight premium for that social experience once a week where interaction with the stallholders & locals makes an immigrant feel at home

We go to our market twice a week, Wednesday and Saturday. It's a pleasure. We have been going there for 23 years, even before we came to live in town from the country. My wife is more au courant with the prices; I have to say if I see something I like, I have it.
Apart from chatting to the commerçants you stop and talk to people you know. I always look forward to it.

We have only paid market prices once or twice over the years. Would love to support the local producers but will have to leave that to the more well off.

Rip off, waste of time unless you are an insider.

Rip off?

Not here.

Just a couple of examples:
eggs (good sized and with a good sprinkling of double yokes) 2.60/dozen
cheapest in the supermarket 2.95 and smaller eggs.

new potatoes (bio) 3.50/kg
supermarket special Normandy new potatoes 5/kg

We must be insiders down here.

The French attitude to markets is different to the British. The British expect produce to be cheaper in a market (lower overheads etc albeit some produce not 1st quality ) but the French expect produce from a market to be fresh and top quality and are prepared to pay more. We certainly pay more at our local market but the produce is excellent. Like local shops - use them or loose them

That is all very well untill you look in the lorries and see the boxes of produces are from the same wholesalers. Walk round Plestin les Greves market on a sunday and see the price fixing amongst the veg sellers.Many desrve to go to the wall the way they treat their clients.

If he produce all comes from the same wholesaler, they presumably had to pay the same wholesale price and so once they have their overheads covered are likely to arrive at the same commercial sales price. No?

I think I live in a different France to you