Day 311, Uzes, France
For a relaxing week of markets, lingering in sidewalk cafes, eating fresh French pasteries, basking in the reluctant spring sunshine in the town square, nothing, but nothing beats Uzes. Add to that, even when you’re doing the unglamorous life tasks of doing your taxes, completing Fafsas, Roth IRAs, signing up for university classes, scrambling to keep up with cyber school. Ever the boring aspects of life seem brighter and less stressful when in Uzes. I suppose it’s because when you take a break you are walking these magnificent, ancient, beautifully rugged streets. I never tire of it.
You can grab a coffee and some sunshine in the town square, while listening to music, and watching the free roaming doggies who have owners who allow them such freedoms.
After our flurry around Normandy and Brittany, the girls needed dedicated study time. But we still made time to appreciate the particular beauty of the small shops that line the cobbled streets. There are various markets in addition to the ones on Wednesday and Saturday. On Thursday there were sidewalk sales for non-food items. Part of what Uzes does so well, is that each tiny shop front which spills out onto the streets, does an effective job of beckoning you inside with their displays. In a way the store and cafes explode out of their tiny spaces, from ancient doors and arches, hundreds of years old, to meet you. 
Here are some of my favorite store fronts.
This hat stand reminded me of the children’s book Caps for Sale.
Once inside the store, the atmosphere of these shops are usually cozy and unique. This was a store where I ended up buying three purses, and I’m not a big purse person. In the center of the shop is a large fireplace, which isn’t just for impact. Every morning they make a fire.
Here’s what their comfy change rooms looks like, with pillowed benches.
Coming from a family of German bakers, I love a culture where bakeries are still a stop you make daily. I find most bakeries are also masters of presentation, especially in France. This was one of our favorite ones, where you stand behind a beautifully crafted handrail to order your morning baguette and pretzel.
Check out this great pretzel display.
I’ve never seen meringes as big as these.
Rough, substantial looking gnarly bread is popular here. If my mom walked into this store, this is what she would leave with.
Every market has its specialties. Here, besides the baskets, which may be no more than a personal obsession, I’ve noticed a particular interest in honey and flowers. There are numerous people with honey stands. The flower vendors here focus more on live potted plants as opposed to the usual market fare of cut, ready-for-the-vase bouquets.
If someone were to ask me where they should go to experience many of the best experiences Southern France has to offer, I would not hesitate to tell them to go to Uzes. But be warned that you may not want to leave.