Farmer’s Markets | Visit Dordogne Valley

Straight from the fields

Farmers’ markets are increasingly popular the world over as more and more people want to buy healthy sustainable products already on their doorstep. Thanks to the fertile lands of the Dordogne Valley, Farmers’ markets have been a staple part of the culture long before this trend. Producers have been bringing their produce direct from the field to the local population for centuries. Farmers’ markets tend to pop up in small villages throughout the Dordogne Valley but only in the summer months.

Seasonal Fresh Food with a Face

All vendors selling in Farmers’ markets are the very same people that grow the produce that you are buying and these markets are easy to spot thanks to their logo – Marchés de Producteurs de Pays. They tend to start in the late afternoon and feature fresh seasonal produce, mostly fruit and veg and often organic but also locally cultivated wines and boutique beers, breads and cheese. You can try out some new wines to go nicely with a summer BBQ or artisanal pâtés and cured meats for a picnic.

Some markets such as Beynat or Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne also offer barbecues and tables to sit down at so you can enjoy what you’ve bought straight away. You will also find AOC (Appellation d’origine contrôlée ) accredited wine and local produce sold in Farmers’ markets. This label ensures for the consumer the genuine geographical origin of the item whilst also guaranteeing standards of production. Make sure to try and pick up some local delicacies of the Dordogne Valley like strawberries, walnuts, Rocamadour goat’s cheese or the Quercy Melon. This authentic staple crop is a melon with delicious mouth-watering tender orange flesh. Eat it by itself, with locally cured hams or cut up into canapés with cherry tomatoes for an aperitif.

Where to find Farmer's Markets near you

Whatever you end up purchasing in a Farmers’ Market, not only are you buying fresh, tasty and often organic products but you are also putting a human face to the people that grow them. Sustainable and environmentally conscious food production with guaranteed freshness, so you can indulge without feeling guilty…