Marché de Chalon

Markets in Chalon-sur-Saône belong to a trading tradition that goes back to the town's origins as a river port on the Saône. In Roman times, Cabillonum was an important depot on the route from the Mediterranean to northern Gaul, where goods, including wine, were unloaded and sent onward, and the town has been a trading centre ever since. The tagline mentions a link between the market and the wine trade since Gallo-Roman times, which is a good way to understand the place: Chalon sits at the edge of one of the great wine regions of France, the Côte Chalonnaise, and the produce on the stalls reflects the richness of the country around.

The town holds several markets through the week, in different squares, and the schedule changes with the day and the season, so ask at the tourist office or check the town's website for the current days and locations before you go. The central area around the Place Saint-Vincent and the cathedral quarter is the main setting for the biggest market, and other markets are held in outlying districts and squares. They sell fruit and vegetables from nearby farms, cheeses, bread, cured meats, flowers and prepared dishes, as well as some clothing and household goods, and the atmosphere is lively and friendly in the mornings.

The region's specialities are worth looking for. Burgundy has a strong food culture, and the stalls may offer goat's cheese, Époisses and other soft cheeses, charcuterie, snails, mustard and gingerbread. The poultry of Bresse, a region just east of Chalon, is among the most prized chicken in France and has its own protected label. Wines from the Côte Chalonnaise, from villages such as Mercurey, Rully, Givry and Montagny, can be bought from local producers and are often better value than those of the more famous Côte d'Or.

Chalon has other things to see around the market. The Quais de Saône offer a pleasant riverside walk, the Église Saint-Vincent, a former cathedral, rises in the old town, the Hôtel de Ville stands in the centre, and the Musée des Beaux-Arts et d'Archéologie and the Collégiale Notre-Dame add a cultural dimension. The town is the birthplace of Nicéphore Niépce, a pioneer of photography, and has a museum dedicated to him.

A morning at the market followed by a stroll along the river and lunch in a bistro makes a good half-day. The market suits food lovers and anyone who wants to see everyday life in a Burgundian town. Check days and times first.