We're heading to the Aveyron this fall (Conques, Belcastel & Villefranche de Rouergue), with an additional stay in Figeac. Three market daytrip possibilities present themselves but we are aiming to choose just one. Those markets are Carmaux, Caussade and Caylus. Might anyone have any experience regarding all three? Can you compare? An foodie in the area area raved about the Carmaux market, whereas another person's blog rates Caussade as number One. A rare Qercy pastis dessert is apparently only available at the Caylus market.
Any opinions based on having visited?
merci bien
I am done. The dirty turnip.
Posted by
Loire Valley
824 posts
The reason people rate different markets as number one is that they most likely have exactly the same stalls run by exactly the same people. "A rare Qercy pastis dessert is apparently only available at the Caylus market." sounds like marketing (or misunderstood information).
A real foodie (I use that term as a signal: to me it says "someone who likes to think they know something about food", so I can safely ignore whatever they say) would have been to all three and offered an opinion. The bigger the town, the bigger the market is the standby advice
Posted by
Portland, Maine
2916 posts
I've been to that area several times, but I'm not sure if I've been to any of those markets. A search on the French market web site I frequently use (http://www.marchedefrance.org/page_dynamique.asp?num_chapitre=285&num_page=443) shows that Carmaux and Caussade are very large markets. I see you'll be in Villefrance. Their market is great; it's the largest in the Aveyron.
Posted by
OP
680 posts
Thanks folks. Actually, I should've just worded it, 'Which is your fave market of the three and why?' The aforementioned foodie was a Cordon Bleu chef whose book was quite specific. And that above quote about the dessert is mine, after having done some research into the area. We've self-catered all over France and all over the Lot before, been to many markets, just wanted some extra input to aid our decision-making. We're well aware of Villefranche's market and Figeac's too.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10632 posts
If you have a chance to go to a night market, marché nocturne, don’t miss it. We spent a week basing out of Villefranche de Rouergue many years ago. One of my best memories was of the night market. It was much more rustic than is shown in this photo, and you can eat your whole dinner there.
Edit: the last one listed is August 20th, but you might find others.