With a wicker basket under my arm, I love to feast my eyes on the juicy Haut-Poitou melon, smell the roast chicken, salivate over the famous Chabichou, compose a bouquet of fresh flowers...
After mingling with the curious, I indulge in my little ritual: a drink on the terrace in the village square. Then I take my tribe on a picnic of seasonal produce gleaned during the morning. Farci poitevin, tourteau fromager and broyé du Poitou are often on the menu.
For me, the market is a bit of everything: a place where you can get together with your family, stroll around, choose, taste, chat, have a coffee...
As Grand Châtellerault's locavore ambassador, I'm taking you on a stroll down the aisles of my favourite markets. Can you follow me?
1
Not to be missed: Halles de Châtellerault
In Châtellerault town centre, the Place Dupleix is the town's historic commercial centre. It is here that the halles (covered market) of the same name now stand.
Both indoors and outdoors, the stalls feature a wide range of food products: fruit and vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, seafood... You'll want to pick up some fresh quail eggs and red fruit coulis!
On Saturday mornings, the stalls exude a unique atmosphere. Merchants shout out their special offers and shoppers chat while queuing. After the shopping, the local bars welcome everyone for an aperitif.
When? Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings
Where can you extend your stroll after the market? At the pretty bookshop next door Aux Classiques which has a tea room corner in the middle of the books.
Or the cosy tearoom Lemon and Cherry rue Bourbon, for its delicious coffee, tea, chocolate and homemade lemonade (not forgetting the incredible cakes made by Lana).
Where to picnic after shopping? A five-minute walk behind the media library, the
The château's small garden overlooks the Vienne river and the Pont Henri IV bridge.
To spread out your checked tablecloth and feel like you're at the end of the world, take a short walk...
quarter of an hour to reach the Director's garden on the the old factory
royal.
2
The most picturesque: Pleumartin market
Under the remarkable 17th-century covered market halls in the heart of the village, you'll find a warm welcome and a genuine pleasure in meeting up. Here, the market is a way of life!
Fruit and vegetables, meat, oysters, cheese, honey, ready-to-wear, shoes, flowers, DIY, Asian products... The choice is wide and varied, as is the range of visitors.
When? Sunday mornings
Where to have a drink after the market? À L'Atelier des Saveurs, original bar-restaurant-brocante, or a la bon franquette at the Bistrot des Halles.
Where to picnic after shopping ? Five minutes by car or a quarter of an hour by bike, the Saint-Sennery pond for a peaceful, bucolic break.
3
The most committed: Sénillé-Saint-Sauveur market
The association Les Saveurs de Sénillé-Saint-Sauveur symbolises the richness of the local produce. Organising a farmer's market quickly became an obvious choice.
On the esplanade of La Foucaudière in Saint-Sauveur, the offer is as qualitative as it is quantitative. Judge for yourself: sheep and beef meat, charcuterie, poultry, saffron, oils, snails, jams and homemade pasta, bread, cakes, coffees, teas, vegetables, goat's cheese, Poitou wines and beers...
I'm a fan of these local producers many of whom are committed to sustainable development.
When? Last Friday of each month from 4pm
How can you extend your meetings with producers? By booking a visit to the farm Au Paradis de Sénillé with Élizabeth and Jérémie Cornu.
Where to picnic after shopping ? Drive five minutes to Place Vaudreching, near the charming Sénillé church. There's a family leisure area with picnic tables, a playground and a fitness trail.
The Saint-Sauveur woods to the west are another good alternative.
4
The most authentic: Dangé-Saint-Romain market
With the old site under renovation, Saturday gourmet strollers will now be meeting on the esplanade opposite the town hall. Around ten local producers are taking part.
Pack your shopping bag with fruit and vegetables, honey, poultry, cheese, flowers and plants, a range of wickerwork and much more. Les Épi'Curieux (dynamic bakery) and L'Instant Douceurs (a highly creative pastry chef and chocolate maker) will delight those with a sweet tooth.
When? Saturday mornings
Where to have a drink after the market? To the PMU La Promenade bar for its impeccable welcome.
Sunday morning bonus : An islander offers his Marennes Oléron oysters and other seafood products
Where to picnic after shopping ? For a country-style snack by the water, head for the banks of the Vienne, or the Gros Caillou lake at Ingrandes, a 10-minute drive away.
In Dangé, the Bois de Cuismes is open to walkers, with a picnic table adapted for wheelchair users.
4
The most exotic : The Ozon plain in Châtellerault
Get ready to travel outside the Poitou! At the most mixed of the Grand Châtellerault markets, the halal butcher is next to the olive seller; the pork butcher is next to the market gardener proud of his colourful peppers...
Thanks to the spices, we're witnessing a veritable olfactory feast before its time! There are plenty of tastings to keep you waiting.
Kitchen utensils, clothes, accessories, fabrics, aromatic herbs and jams will also have a chance of finding their way to the bottom of your shopping bag!
When? Wednesday mornings
Where to drink mint tea after the market? At Le Samovar café, where you can also indulge in oriental pastries...
Where to picnic after shopping ? On the edge of the forest lake of Châtellerault. A haven of peace and nature just seven minutes by car from Ozon (a quarter of an hour by bike).
AND ALSO
- Summer night markets for local producers Welcome to the FarmFill your holiday rental cupboards and take the time to cook local recipes.
And also...
other ideas for outings
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