Market Day: Nimes

Antique Chairs at the Jaures Brocante

Every Friday there’s a market at the end of my street in Nimes. The market is held is in the Promenade that runs down the center of Avenue Juan Jaures. Looking towards the north end of the Promenade you can see the gilded gates that lead to the elegant and historic Jardins de la Fontaine. The view in in the opposite direction is less-interesting, except for the market that fills the Promenade.

View of the Jardins de la Fontaine from Avenue Jean Jaures

This market feels more “local” than the 7-day/week covered in the old-town of Nimes, just a 15-minute walk away. The Jaures market seems to be filled with local farmers and seasonal produce. In late winter there were lots of root vegetables on offer, and none of the imported produce available at the other market.

There’s a Brocante, kind of a combination antiques and flea market too.

For some reason the fruits and vegetables taste better in France than they do in the US. It seems like a lot of produce in the US is flavorless, like those giant Driscoll’s strawberries. You’ll never want one of those again after you’ve tried French strawberries - which are small and full of flavor. Hopefully they will still be in season when I return to Nimes in June.

Jean Jaures Market, Nimes