Hello Provence

Driving from country to country and city to city really gives you a perspective on how people live in the area.  We got up early and drove to Provence from the South of France.  A very different vibe and community.  We got up early to make the Forcalquier Market.  There are daily markets all through Provence and this one happens to only be on Mondays from 830-1pm.  It literally takes over the entire town.  It is a big event.

onionsWe got a parking spot and make our way into town.  This particular marketplace supposedly is long on linens which I did see but did not pick up any.  Not sure it is my “look” but they are beautiful.  Here is the onion cart.

figsFigs

meatMeat man.  I have always loved how the trucks are so compact and they just open up and there you have a butcher shop.

herbsHerbs

chevre onlyChevre.  That is all she sells and makes.  I bought a piece.  It is really difficult to go through these markets and not just buy everything I see.

honeyHoney.

olivesOlives.  They are abundant through this market including lots of tapenades.

tomatoesBig sun dried tomatoes.

sausagesSausages galore.

chickenThe chicken truck.  I want one of those trucks!

basketsBaskets.

lunchWe walked up into the higher roads of the town and sat down for a glass of rose and a salad to split.  Such a nice place, L’Aigo Blanco.  The kitchen was across the street in another building.  We were in a small square.  I mean small.  The other building was about 4 steps from where we were sitting across the street.  This was a perfect lunch.  Chevre, Jambon and Greens.

storeI returned to this store after lunch.  I had walked in earlier.  I bought some olive oil bowls, a huge cooking piece, napkins, spoon holders etc.  Very very Provence.

lobbyThen we went to the hotel, La Couvent Des Minimes.  It is absolutely adorable.  I love the lobby.  It is also the first official spa of L’Occtaine.  I plan on taking full advantage of that this afternoon.  Driving so defensively is starting to create some tension in my upper back.

Very psyched for dinner tonight.  New region, different type of cooking!

Comments (Archived):

  1. JimHirshfield

    I love the fairy tale feeling of “the market coming to town”. Must have been magical!

    1. Gotham Gal

      amazing. more to come…a market a day!

  2. awaldstein

    This post sounds like you’ve found something that is touching you.It oozes some contentment and discovery.Enjoy!

  3. William Mougayar

    That’s a market. They love their produce in Provence. I’ll have 200 grams of Pistou, s’il vous plait.

    1. pointsnfigures

      was thinking the same thing. Plus, the sausages.

  4. daryn

    Looks amazing! There’s a rotisserie truck down in SF that I’ve been to a couple times – super fun to watch 🙂 http://www.roliroti.com/

  5. AG

    Feel as though a rotisserie truck would do well in NY, too.

  6. jsrand

    This is number one on places I desire to go to. Maybe next spring.

    1. Gotham Gal

      a must must.

  7. 1010ParkPlace.com

    A fun variation on French artist, Claude Lalanne’s sheep chairs. Since college, I’ve wanted a flock of his bronze-faced and footed life-size sheep. In my fantasies, I would have these grand floor to ceiling french doors, opened of course, and the sheep would look like they’re on their way in–or out–of the house. A flock of 24 went up for auction at Christie’s a couple of years ago… $6M! Guess they’ll remain my “fantasy” sheep.