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During our recent trip to France one of the things we
learned was that many of the small towns in Provence had weekly markets. In the
course of our visit we went happened upon two markets in two different towns on two different days.
Market day in-the town of L'Isle sur la Sorgue in
Provence is on Sunday. This town sits
on the Sorgue River and the river and canals meander through the town. Beautifl water wheels, green from moss, slowly turn
from the gentle flow of the river. The
town is famous for antiques, there are more than 300 antique dealers in the
town, and L'Isle sur la Sorgue’s Sunday antique market is said to be the
largest in France. However, the non-antique portion of the market was huge and
covered a large portion of the center of the town. When the Lovely Sharon and I arrived, around
10:00 a.m., the market was already packed by serious shoppers and those just wanting
to stroll the streets and check out the hundreds of booths and people
watch. This might have been the largest
open market-street fair I have ever seen.
There were clothes, scarves, handbags, belts, jewelry, fresh
fruits, fresh vegetables, cheeses, books, phonograph records, art, toys,
sausages, and foie gras. There were all kinds of foods ready for immediate
consumption or to take home. There were beautiful and
colorful flowers of all kinds.
The aroma of the many foods and strong French coffee drifted
throughout the market as the Lovely Sharon and I strolled the main streets and
several sides streets that were lined with booths where vendors were offering
their wares.
There were accordion players playing French music in a
couple of locations, with their hats set before them hoping for a coin or
two. In an isolated small square we came
upon a jazz quintet, singing and playing an energetic jazz that had American
musical tones and rhythms but French vocals.
The sidewalk cafes and bistros were packed with people
enjoying wines and coffees or having a meal while the market activities went on
about them.
As we walked through the market we came upon the La
Collégiale Notre Dame des Anges church which was rebuilt in the 17th
century. As we approached the church, the sun was shining and the church bells
were ringing.
Market Day, colorful, fun, an explosion of imput for the senses.
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