When in France, a visit to a weekly market is a must. This is where you can buy local goodies, fresh vegetables and fruits and a lot more. And the lovely town of Uzès doesn’t have one, but two weekly morning markets! Every Wednesday and Saturday, numerous stalls with the best products from the region are all waiting for you at la Place aux Herbes, one of the most beautiful squares in the South of France.
Full of life
Uzès is a picture-perfect little town in the Gard department, full of life all year round. And when in Uzès, you cannot skip the Place aux Herbes. Well, actually you can… The first time I visited this lovely town, I completely walked off in the opposite direction, wondering where this famous square could be. The second time, I was luckier. Following some people with little bags full of groceries brought me to the market square. I’m still wondering how on earth I could have missed the heart of the town on my first visit.
Plane trees
Since 1241, the markets on the Place aux Herbes have played an important role in the region. Being one of the oldest and most beautiful around, many locals do their weekly shopping in Uzès. So, if you want to get the real South of France feeling, this is the place to go. Centuries-old plane trees surround La Place aux Herbes and offer some welcoming shade in the summer. The last time I went was on a Saturday July morning with my girl. We started our shopping round with a lovely breakfast at one of the plentiful terraces. You can either sit on the square steeped in history or underneath the arched vaults of the historic facades of the medieval houses.
Feast for foodies
Both the Saturday and the Wednesday market in Uzès are a true feast for foodies like me. I indulged myself with the regional delicacies presented at the many market stalls. Tasteful vegetables, grassy flavoured olive oil, colourful fruits, fresh goat’s cheese, local dried sausages and many more beautiful products screamed for my attention. Be prepared to find both markets packed during the summer months, though. The Saturday one is bigger than the Wednesday market, hosting around 200 stalls. On this day, you will also find non-food products besides local produce.
Popular spot
My tip is to go early- to avoid crowds coming in from 09h00- and to make a reservation for lunch. In summer, the arches surrounding the square are a very popular spot to have a break from the market. One place to enjoy some fine regional food is Terroirs. Besides being a bar and a restaurant, you can also get some great local products in their shop. While my girl and I savoured our homemade meal, we contentedly watched all the people strolling by. Every time I come here, I love the great vibe, and everybody seems to be in a sunny mood.
