To markets we will go!

One cannot visit the area of the Périgord without visiting the multitudes of markets.  Every city, town or village has it's own market once or twice a week!  As a matter of fact, the markets are the life of the small villages and the livelihood of the farmers, and vegetable and fruit growers.  However,  it may come as a surprise that markets are also havens for artists and artisans.  One may see a booth of vegetables right next to a booth of handmade silver jewelry, or a osausage booth right next to a booth for handmade wooden toys!

Les marchés are awaited in these small villages as they will attract additional tourists and bring in additional income to the towns as the booth owners have to pay 1 euro per meter of booth space.  Each town thus has an employee "un contrôleur" walk around the market area, greet the merchants and collect the money, an income to the municipality.  The markets are also perfect places for the tourist to learn more about the local produce, the heritage of the region and just get to know the inhabitants.  

Fresh produce, colorful products, the smells, the sounds and the colors of the markets make for a wonder cultural and civic experience!