December is upon us!
I haven’t even begun my Christmas shopping. Oh my…
The Christmas markets have already started here in Provence but now it’s getting serious. Stacks of foie gras and artisan chocolates are piled high in the grocery stores, the smell of roasted chestnuts and mulled wine is already in the city streets. The countryside is permeated with the smell of wood fire oozing out of farmhouse chimneys (jealous!). It’s time to snuggle into the cold weather.
My Favourites of the Season
I’ve been to many, many village Christmas markets here in Provence throughout the past 2 years. The ambiance, product selection, and general joy of a Christmas market doesn’t necessarily depend on the size or beauty of a town. There are a couple factors; firstly, I’m sorry, but it must be outside. Secondly, I find the shorter markets that are held over a weekend or a day are much better than the longer ones due to general turn-out, ambiance and the energy of the stallholders. Thirdly, the more choice in gourmet products…of course the better! So, grab a scarf and brave the Mistral winds with a plastic cup full of mulled wine. Taste the nougat, faugasse, sacristin and all other traditional Christmas confections. It’s time to indulge.