Carcassonne - paen to place

Although there were mid-week markets in Place Carnet, they were not a patch on these Saturday markets. We have been flying out of Sydney on a Saturday and arriving in France on the Sunday. This seemed to set up a pattern of having weekly accommodation that started on a Sunday. Hence, the best markets were the day BEFORE we left each place. What a waste!

This was an exclusively produce market. My preference. The markets in Italy had a combination of produce and goods, with the latter being mass produced and often made in China. Defeats the purpose of going to a market, I reckon. Carcassonne had excellent boulangeries and Chez Felix - on Place Carnet - had nice coffee and red wine. The red wine in France is cheaper than the coffee.

Carcassonne - beginning at the end

In September, I went to Europe for three weeks, spending a week in Paris, a week in Carcassonne, and four days in Barcelona. I am using my experiences in Paris to help me learn more French language. It can be found in 'à pied dans les rues de Paris'. My appreciation of both Carcassonne and Barcelona shall appear here until the end of 2010.


Carcassonne is a reasonably sized town midway along the Canal de Midi, from Narbonne on the Mediterranean across to Toulouse. It's main claim to fame is the magnificent medieval castle atop a hill. However, the thing that I was most taken with, was the Saturday market in the town square, just below my window. I will make a series of posts introducing you to the villagers who live in Carcassonne and its surrounds.


I wandered Place Carnet for over two hours, watching and absorbing and making up stories in my pea brain. The earthiness (and realness) of both the stall holders and their customers, entranced me. I watched this particular lady sell her wares for maybe 30 minutes. She had obviously been coming to market for many years. I guess her to be well into her 80s. Her customers were very patient and respectful. The black man, in particular, was going nowhere until he had purchased from her. When she toppled the box of tomatoes, he lept to her assistance, and then went back to waiting. Patiently.