French village markets?

Your question poses a lot of questions such as how long is this trip? Does any particular region interest you? Where in France will you arrive? What time of year? Are you willing to take the bus? For example, two great markets in Provence are in Apt and St. Remy but neither town has a train station. The same is true for Lourmarin and a number of other villages in Provence. Generally speaking, I have found that many visitors are interested in the markets in Provence, but the markets in the Dordogne and Burgundy that have been to have been fantastic so some of the regions that interest you would be useful for garnering suggestions. And generally speaking, villages, as opposed to towns, are reached by bus or car so you may have to rethink this plan.

What part of France? Where are you starting from?

Remember that France is very large, about the size of Texas, and has areas which are very different from each other.

Also French trains by and large run between large cities, smaller cities, and large towns. You won't get to many villages by train. Do you want to do the local villages by car or bus?

One more question: food markets or other types of markets such as antiques or flea markets?

Most villages and smaller towns in France usually have a market day once or twice a week. My thought would be to set your itinerary first according to where you want to go and then try to fine tune it to be in places on market days. TC

I loved the town of Moissac, I happened to be there on market day. There is a beautiful Romanesque church in the town as well, musicians were rehearsing for a concert.

Frankly, I think it is far too complicated to do such an itinerary by train. Paris has lots of street markets you can enjoy, and without a car your other plan for small towns and villages on the right day of the week is nigh unto impossible. Them's my sentiments.

Most villages don't have markets. You have to go to a nearby town. Villages no longer have train service. Again, you have to go to a nearby town and take a bus or taxi to the village if that's where you want to stay.

I think we sometimes say village when what we really mean is a small town. Note, however, that not all towns have markets and trains, though those that are touristic will have them.

Rick's France guidebook always includes information for the market days in the towns the book covers, such as for the Dordogne, and other regions. If you think you'll focus on Provence and the French Riviera, then I'd get the book specific to that region, which covers quite a bit more than the general France book.

Thanks for all the info! Now where do I get Steves book, cos it seems it would be a good idea!

We will start in Paris that much I do know! From there it's all a question mark! We will be going in May /2016. Want to travel and stay as cheaply as possible as we are pensioners. don't mind traveling by bus either. Like to experience the small town life. I was in Lodeve last year and thought that was lovely. Great market too!

Oh yes food markets are my husbands interest!!

Me again, where is Mossiac?

I hadn't heard of it either - told you France is big -

According to a very quick google search, wikipedia says:

Moissac is a commune in the Tarn-et-Garonne department in the
Midi-Pyrénées region in southern France.

Moissac is an interesting town, with an abbey that's worth visiting. And it's on a train line. And here's a link to a site for finding markets throughout France: http://www.marchedefrance.org/page_dynamique.asp?num_chapitre=285&num_page=443

Thanks,for the info now I'll have to try and work out how to get the market site into English as my French isn't that good. Ha! Appreciate it .

Just open up the website using Google Chrome and it will offer to translate from French to English. The translation will not be perfect but it should be good enough for you to gather information about the markets.

Gosh thanks that worked well. Must say this forum is excellent. It was a great help last year when I had to get from Florence to Zurich. I was traveling alone and the info I recieved really made my trip easier.
Have persuaded the hubby to go with me next time. Would appreciate any ideas to keep him happy. He loves FOOD. watches all the travel food shows and would like to experience something like that.