The French markets are meeting places

Everything is offered for sale.
Small farmers display their vegetables and plants on a small table.
Butchers, bakers, and cheesemongers are well represented.
You see what you buy because little is pre-packaged.

When the weather is nice, the terraces are full.
People enjoy a glass of beer, a café longe, or a verre de vin.

There is a market to visit every day in the area.

• Sunday: Montbrun-Bocage, Carla Bayle,
• Monday: Foix, Mirepoix
• Tuesday: Montesquieu-Volvestre, Pamiers,
• Wednesday: Le Fossat, Lézat, Le Mas d’Azil, Ste Croix Volvestre,
• Thursday: Carbonne, Pamiers,
• Friday: Foix, Daumazan-sur-Arize,
• Saturday: Cazères, Lézat, Pamiers, St. Girons, Bordes-sur-Arize

 

Vide Greniers

At almost every local holiday, a Vide Grenier is organized
(vide = empty, grenier = attic).

Vide greniers are what we call flea markets,
so truly anything and everything is sold, from rusty tools to bicycles and anything you can imagine. 
The French love them.

Agenda of Vide Greniers in France: https://vide-greniers.org

 

The nature in the Ariège is overwhelmingly beautiful. The rolling hills almost make you feel like you are in Tuscany, while in the background you can see the high peaks of the Pyrenees. There are fast-flowing mountain streams, remarkable caves, and beautiful reservoirs.