Markets
Many culinary specialities grow in the fertile soil of the Loire Valley. Local craftmen use their skills to tally with wood and stone and offer their goods at the many "Brocante" and "Vide Grenier" antique, craft and fleamarkets.
So, visit one of the colourful markets where your tastebuds will be tempted by shellfish and oysters from the atlantic coast, freshwater fish from the Vienne and Loire river, seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables as well as fresh goat's and other cheeses and the creations of the local bakers and chocolatiers. You won't be able to resist. Surely this is one of the reasons the french kings used to spend their summers in the Loire Valley and why they built their castles here.
Some of the markets in the vicinity:
- Chinon (Thursday)
- Richelieu (every second Monday, every Friday)
- Bourgueil (Tuesday)
- Azay-les-Rideau (Wednesday)
- Candes-Saint-Martin (Saturday)
- Langeais (Sunday)
- Tours (daily in the covered market hall, more stalls to be found in the surrounding streets on Wednesday and Friday)
Festivals
- Marché Medieval in Chinon, 1th Saturday in August
- Marché à l‘Ancienne (19th century style market) in Chinon, 3th Saturday in August
- Flea-market in Montsoreau, 2nd Sunday every month
- Large flea-market in Chinon, 3rd Sunday every month
- Medieval night market in Loches 3rd Thursday in July and August
- Wine festivals in many of the villages during September
- Christmas markets in December
