[Itinerary Page]The Daily Diary of a Wandering Restaurateur
May 7 - Market Day
I had been of the impression that the Sunday market in L'Isle sur La Sorgue was an antiques market but when we got into town this morning, the entire village was given over to stalls selling everything from paella and produce to clothing and collectibles. When we passed through town later in the afternoon we did see what appeared to be a smaller row of antique vendors but did not stop to check it out. There are, however, an unusually large number of antique dealers in town.
In any case, the place was mobbed! It isn't even the height of the tourist season yet, so these were primarily locals. We parked about half a mile away and walked in. There wasn't really another choice.
I thought I had seen large public markets in Italy, but they were small time compared to this. We really don't have anything similar in the US. The closest might be something like Pike Place Market in Seattle which has a similar range of offerings, if not the same range of choices. The difference is that those vendors have permanent stalls like a mall whereas these vendors pack everything in at daybreak, set it up and pack it out again when the market ends around noon.
The range of goods was amazing and the prices were exceptional. A result of low overhead? If you are on Margene's Christmas list, rest comfortably in the knowledge that we have already purchased your presents! There is a smaller market on Thursday. Perhaps we will drop back in for a second chance at a few things.
The mobs were starting to get to us so we hauled our treasures to the car and went off exploring. We cruised through a few small towns, past some eye-popping blazing red poppy fields and ended up in the ancient hill town of Gordes, looking for a spot to have lunch. The photos tell the tale.
That was as adventurous as we got. When we got back to the house we just stayed in, did the picnic thing for what passed for dinner, read a little, relaxed a little and watched the passing parade on the river.
© 2006 Restaurant Doctor