The idea is to give local producers, like our friends and neighbours Alain and Danielle of the Gilletoux goose farm just up the road from us, a chance to feature and sell their products (foie gras, bread, cheese, vegetables, wine, etc.) directly to the public, usually a mixed crowd of locals, and visitors from all over Europe, mostly families. The atmosphere is festive in a relaxed and casual way.
The main square is divided roughly in two areas, one where the producers set up their stalls and another where long tables and benches are set up, compliments of the municipality, for people to sit at, eat, drink, and talk. Throw in local musicians, and it's a perfect way to spend a summer evening with friends, or meeting strangers at the next table.
Auriac (see January 7 2011 post) is the village closest to us, just one kilometer away. It was its last night market and our third time there this summer. The previous time, we went alone just the two of us, and soon found ourselves chatting first with a vacationing Belgian family at the table on one side of us, then with two English couples at the table on the other side.
Last night we had arranged to meet our new friends G and L, recently back in the region. Happily, the showers that had been forecast fell somewhere else, but we were glad to have brought an extra layer to keep us from the late summer chill. We sampled all kinds of food and drank a respectable amount of wine, all while talking about everything under the sun. It was the perfect end to the season.
