Food and The Markets
In our view the best food shopping is in the local markets. Some of the market stall holders speak English, many do not. But pointing and holding hands out for size with a smile will get you by! The two large markets that the locals use are Carmaux and Villefranche de Rouergue.
Carmaux is not a chic or tourist town, but the market is large and busy with stallholders ranging from single tables run by smallholders to large refrigerated vans. It has some very good quality veg, bread, fish, meat (pork, beef, horse and poultry- usually on separate stalls – horse always sold separately!) and cheese stalls.
Other nearby markets are Cordes-sur-Ciel and St Antonin. These are both good markets and social gatherings. Both blessed with good cafes in and around the market for absorbing the atmosphere and smells and people watching! Baskets and bags for market shopping are in the house- please leave them when you go!
There are supermarkets: small ones in nearby Mirandol (good food and very good wine), Monesties and Cordes (very well stocked) and in Monesties. Large supermarkets include :
- Carmaux – Intermarché
- Blaye les Mines – Hyper U
- Albi – Le Clerc