The South of France is a idyllic place with gorgeous rolling hills markets quant villages. Markets are offered by most of the villages that are dotting long the Dordogne river.
Here you can buy a variety of produce, breads, pastries, and trinkets. There are enough markets in the Dordogne region for you to visit every day of the week. Let’s take a look at the different markets from Monday to Sunday.
Monday: Les Eyzies and Hautefort
Les Eyzies
The Les Eyzies market runs from April to October every year. It is a beautiful town in the Perigord Noir region of the Dordogne. This is not a common market for locals to shop at because the prices can be a bit high. However, it is certainly a mecca for tourists and worth the visit. There are a lot of hills, so make sure you wear your walking boots!
The quaint village of Les Eyzies
Hautefort
This is a covered market, so you don’t have to worry about getting rained out. This market normally takes place on the first Monday of every month. Hautefort is a commune in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. After you have visited the market, you can check out the Chateau de Hautefort.
Tuesday: Beaumont and Trémolat
Beaumont-du-Perigord is a charming bastide town in the Dordogne. The town itself is home to several little shops that you can meander through. You can buy things like perfume, jewelry, or you can have some coffee at one of the local restaurants. During the summer months, the village is decked out with garlands of paper flowers to welcome the visitors to its summer festivals.
The market takes place on Tuesdays in Tremolat too. Be sure to get there early enough to take advantage of the fresh produce, cheese, cured meats, fish and freshly-baked bread.
Wednesday: Bergerac
Bergerac is home to a market where you can buy an array of fresh fruits, vegetables, pastries, flowers, jams, and cheeses. The town itself is bigger than the smaller, surrounding communes. So, after you have finished with your morning grocery shopping, you can explore the town and enjoy some of the more well-known brands like Zara and Sephora.
Thursday: Issigeac night market
The Issigeac market on a Sunday morning is one of of the best markets in the area and is certainly not to be missed
In summer on Thursday nights, the village square in Issigeac is filled with chairs and tables. Villagers get together and to eat, drink, and listen to live music. There is a plethora of stalls selling locally-made wines. You can also buy some charcuterie to enjoy with your friends and family, or perhaps some paella if you’re after something that isn’t traditionally French.
Friday: Domme
Domme is one of the most beautiful villages in France. This fortified town is perched atop a hill that offers splendid views of the valley and the Dordogne river. If you have the time, wander around the cobbled streets and visit the artisanal shops. Be sure to get there in time for the local market where you can stock up on cheeses, sausages, and other local delicacies. When you’ve had enough of walking, take a rest at one of the many bars and restaurants.
Saturday and Tuesday: La Bugue
On market days, the village of La Bugue comes alive with vibrant colors and smells of the local produce. This particular market takes place on Tuesdays and Saturdays. While Saturdays are quite a lot bigger than their weekend market, going on a Saturday will certainly be enjoyable. Again, you can stock up on fruits and vegetables. You can also find some more local cheeses and dried meats.
Sunday: Issigeac and Limeuil
Finally, you can round your week off with a visit to the Limeuil market. The tiny village is nestled along the Dordogne river. Here, you can take part in some canoeing, or simply lounge around at the water’s edge. The village is still surrounded by its original fortified walls. On a normal day, you can relax at Le Chai. This restaurant has a traditional menu and has a view of the river. Be sure to pop in on Sunday morning to enjoy the fruits and vegetables offered by the stallholders. Keep in the loop with the locals so that you don’t miss out on any of their night markets where you can enjoy delicious food and live music.
Final thoughts
With so many villages and markets to visit, you will certainly never become bored of the gorgeous region of the Dordogne. Each and every day, there is something different to explore. You almost always have access to the freshest fruit and vegetables and the most delicious cheeses and pastries.
One needs to remember, that the markets close at 12.30 so aim to get there early so not to miss out:)