Dordogne night markets

We haven’t been to the Dordogne yet but will be there in September. I found that there is a night market in Sarlat on the last Saturday in September which we are planning to visit. Search for Journées du Goût et de la Gastronomie and you should find info on it. I don’t know how it compares to the regular night markets but am excited to check it out.

Thanks Julie! post after your trip about how it went please!

We were there the first week of September about 7 or 8 years ago and also wanted to go to a night market. We were staying in Cadouin and I went to a couple of tourist offices driving around the area asking about night markets and they all said 'oh those are over -- only in July and August' -- I kept looking and asking and googling and finally found the very last night market of the season which was on the first Tuesday in September in a little nearby town called Beaumont du Perigord. You can see snapshots in this post:
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2017/07/25/perfect-place-for-murder-commarque-chateau/
It was really hard to find this night market information and I would not count on finding one in September. Definitely not in May. If you go in the last week of August you will probably find one.

We only went to one, and we didn't know the part about bringing your own plates and cups and such -- but the vendors took pity on us and provided paper cups for our wine, and paper plates for our food. We ended up at a table of Australian and British ex pats who were welcoming and fun to talk to. It was delightful. Food vendors, tables around the square and dancing under the start in a romantic charming town square. One of our travel highlights (partly because we were just so happy that we found that last night market of the season.

they are weekly during the season; different towns, different nights. I am surprised to hear there is one at the end of September -- that is great if they continue into September. 8 years ago everyone insisted they were all over in August.

Night markets do indeed take place from July to August once a week, the day of the week depending on the village. Some extend into early September, like the one in Les Milandes.

https://boisdenveaux.com/sur-place/#marche

There may be others, but the village festival committees decide on the program each year, so it's difficult to list them all.
There are about thirty villages that organize them in the Périgord alone, which is only a small part of the Dordogne Valley.
The one in Beaumont du Périgord (on Mondays), mentioned by Janet, will take place until September 1st this year.

Apart from July and August, from April to September, there may be occasional markets during "Vides Greniers" (garage sale) days. Here too, it's impossible to list them all.

In any case, in the region, it's easy to experience the local food and entertainment atmosphere, whether in the evening or during the day. There are also local festivals, farms that offer tastings and tours, and winemakers who welcome you for tastings (sometimes free for those not organized by tourist tours).

I created this map that can give you some ideas.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1OdPOg8AgsNn0Jlv1cNHkujaWv9p_Jpc&usp=sharing

Obviously, if you're looking for authenticity, in summer, the further you get from Sarlat, the "Dorgogne's Disneyland" overrun with tourists, the better it will be.

Thanks to all in this thread. I had never heard of these night markets, and once we pick up our car, we can try to find one later in July. Janettravels44, thank you in particular; your blog is great! And JoLui, the links are extremely helpful. Kudos!

Debjsd and jphbucks, if you are heading East (or even southeast) of Bordeaux take a look at Lost in Bordeaux blog. She put many of the night markets info in her June blog. Additionally, There are tons of various ‘animations’ on the weekend evenings throughout July/Aug with music, food trucks, games (sometimes) and lots of conviviality (we are headed to one Saturday that is ending with Fireworks!)

Just to clarify, what Janet is talking about isn't a "night market" in the strict sense of the term, but a "Marché Gourmand" (gourmet market)

A "Marché nocturne" (nocturnal or night market) is exactly like a day market, except that it takes place in the late afternoon-evening. In fact, despite the "nocturne", it ends before nightfall.

A "Marché Gourmand" despite its name "Marché" (market) is not really a market. It's like a large open-air restaurant organized by the municipality or local associations, sometimes set up at lunchtime or, more often, in the evening, starting at 7 p.m.

If possible, you should bring your own cutlery, plates, and glasses (you can buy these plastic camping accessories at a supermarket). The dishes served are cooked on-site in improvised kitchens or food trucks. There are often events, such as live music, dance, exhibitions, etc.

A link describing these gourmet markets in the Périgord Noir, with some photos, locations, and dates:

https://www.lascaux-dordogne.com/en/sejourner/se-regaler/les-marches/les-marches-gourmands/