It’s Saturday and the market is open. It was a 10 minute walk from my hotel to the market situated in the old Place des Lices. I wound my way in from the section showcasing plants, herbs and flowers both cut and in pots. It was lovely!

The pathway turns and soon I’m eyeing produce, this goes on and on and on! Scattered in among the more traditional stalls of mainly vegetables were fruit stands, nuts and dried fruit and onions and garlic. The apples were many and they went on for a bit. Next were the tables and tables of fresh seafood. I noticed even crabs were plentiful. At one table with a line forming there were live lobsters sitting on the table! Fish tiny and large were sold. They would fillet them as you ordered. Buckets of mussels also.

This was all outside. There are two indoor market areas mainly selling fromage (cheese), meats of all types, bakeries and olives and tapinads. There was also a scattering of fresh pasta, empanadas, and paella. Between the two indoor areas were food carts selling hot food. I ordered a crepe with ham and cheese. In this region it’s really a galette and I’m not sure the difference but like in Paris, it’s made with buckwheat. Unlike Paris, this one was 2.60 compared to at least double on the street. My americano I’m sipping at this moment was 1.50. In Paris we usually paid 3.00 at a cafe and up to 5.00 in a restaurant after dinner. Big city vs smaller one.

If a person wanted to stay in the middle of the square, a very nice hotel looks to be Hotel des Lices. You wouldn’t have to go far to the market but I doubt you would have a kitchen to cook your meal.

I bought 3 things at the market and I’m thinking of one more:

1. My Ham and cheese galette

2. Almond, hazelnut (noisette) and golden raisin combo snack

3. Kougin aman pastry*

4. perhaps some fruit

* My friend Martha first had me try this delicious pastry in Phoenix AZ and we drove about 10 miles from her house one morning to find them. At that time (early 2016) I think they were fairly new to the states. We were so happy to have found a bakery selling them because they only made 10 or so each morning and that was it! Here in Rennes they seem to make cakes as well as the individual pieces. Yesterday I entered a patisserie that had a cake for 4. I didn’t buy that one!

I’ve been at the market for the past hour and a half. Looking around it is now bustling with people carrying their bags, pulling small rolling carts, or just looking. Some people look serious and others joyful. Several cameras are out snapping photos of the day. And I’m ordering a second americano with hopefully a small cup of milk on the side. I never know what I’ll get!

There were so many families shopping and enjoying the day. I enjoyed the way parents dressed their kids. So many had little scarves on and seemed perfectly comfortable wearing them. One little girl in particular caught my eye…

Violin music suddenly fills the air. I look up and see a young female directly in front of me but beyond three stalls of produce. The violinist is actually part of a foursome of musicians that include an accordionist/guitarist, a guitarist and a drummer. It’s a perfect ending to the Rennes Marche experience today, or any day!

#47daysineurope #rennes