Food, glorious food. Fresh, unprocessed, colourful, gorgeous, life-affirming food. Nobody respects its power and its potential like the French, and in the Languedoc, eating is almost a religious experience.
That commitment to great food is reflected in the many village markets of the Languedoc. From Castelnau-de-Guers you can go to a food market in one of the surrounding towns or villages every single day, to buy cheese, meat, produce, baked goods and specialty items. The markets are so complete that it’s possible to spend weeks at Maison Rose-Clair and never eat anything out of a box or a can.
The best and most famous of these markets is in Pezenas just 3 km away from our house. Every Saturday, the market takes over the downtown, filling the main street with local and organic farmers, cheesemakers, bakers and butchers. Several of the local wine producers are there as well, handing out samples, stories and advice to passersby. The atmosphere is festive and the goods are phenomenal. We have a favourite cheese man at the top end of the street who makes a tome de brebis that by itself is worth a trip to France. When he peels off a sample and hands it over, a lifetime relationship is about to begin. At the bottom of the street, we love to pick through the variety of amazing mushrooms handpicked in the fertile woods of southern France.
For a list of market-days in the local towns, click HERE.
You can have a different – and magnificent – food experience every day, and not just at the markets. Here are some of our favourites:
Huitres gratinee and Picpoul.
The sublime combination of oysters and the local white wine can be found at any of the many charming port side cafes in nearby Meze, Marseillan, or the village of Bouzigues, the oyster capital of France. Particularly wonderful is La Pacheline on the port in Marseillan. Friendly, reasonably priced, and their tart du maison will make you fall out of your chair with joy.
La Croquise, one of the baguettes at our local boulangerie in Castelnau-de-Guers. One of the best baguettes in France. Beautiful for breakfast, or as a quick dinner, topped with fresh market vegetables and melted cheese.
The pastries. Everywhere you look, confections that are works of art.
Catalan sausage. The influence of nearby Spain is everywhere in the south of France. The sausage is slightly spicy, full of flavour, and readily available.
