DAILY FOOD Markets and BrocanteS

Daily food markets are a way of life in Normandy particularly in summer - to avoid disappointment get up early as they close by 12pm and different towns host on a different day each week. Our favourite markets are in the medieval town of Bricquebec 20km (Monday), the more upmarket Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue 25km (Saturday) and the larger market in the seaside town of Portbail 23km (Tuesday). A market diary will be available at the house.

You will find it hard to resist the charm of the vendors who offer you slithers of Normandy cheese, slices of apple tart, fresh crab, all interspersed with colourful bracelets, sundresses, classic French baskets and sheepskin rugs. We love the old bar half way up the hill in Briquebec, a perfect pit stop for a glass of regional cider or a cafe au lait.

Over the years, our favourite activity has been to load up with all the produce we can find and return to create culinary delights in the kitchen or outside on the bbq, eating good food, washed down with Rose from the local Cave in Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte.

Antique shops or “Brocante” are in nearly every town, our most recent find was “Printimeuble” near Le Haye-du-Puits, (15 kilometres), selling ornate garden furniture, Art Deco velvet chairs and glass chandeliers at a fraction of the usual price.

It’s worth mentioning that many of the larger towns host summer festivals, such as the Fete de la Coquille St-Jacques in Barneville-Carteret (June), celebrating the scallop industry. In August, the town of Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte hosts a medieval festival in the ruins of its castle walls, perfect for young children who can meld an iron sword and watch the locals jousting.