For a spot of shopping in the Languedoc region, theres arguably
no better place to head to than the pretty little town of Uzes, with its
medieval streets lined with individual and artisan shops. Its markets are also
famous throughout the south of France, if youre looking to pick up something
local and fresh during your visit.
While a market takes place every Saturday, its normally
incredibly crowded not matter what time of year, and so the weekly Wednesday
market is usually the better option. Located in the central location of the
Place aux Herbes, the market is an absolute must-visit for foodies, as here
youll find fresh olives and extra virgin olive oil, a selection of fragrant
herbs, and small jars of escargotine, a spread made from snails and shallots.
For more indulgent gourmet items, theres the Maison de la
Truffle, found on the far corner of the square. As the name indicates, it sells
anything and everything involving the luxurious truffles that can be found in
this area, from truffle knives and shavers to truffle oils, pasta and even
wine.
Uzes is not just for
those with a love for gastronomy, however its also home to many boutiques
selling chic clothing and luxury goods. Here you can buy an outfit to sport the
bobo (bourgeois bohemian) look, while many of the side streets stemming off
from the Place aux Herbessell an excellent range of clothing and shoes.
If youre looking for
something to bring home with you, Uzes is a treasure trove of luxury gifts and
homewares. Theres a variety of contemporary and traditional homewares
available by an array of independent designers, which range from second-hand
French-made bric-a-brac to tasteful furniture, fabrics and bed linen.
France is also known
for its incredible fragrances, with many stores across the town stocking the
very best designer fragrances. Here, you can even create your own personal
perfume blend from a bank of mini-testers and, of course, no trip to the south
of France is completely without picking up some lavender water to take home.
If this charming
market town sounds like the ultimate French shopping trip, book a stay at one
of our Uzes villas today, where you can continue to indulge in the finest
French luxuries.
Image: Kolia Fotki, available
under Creative Commons