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Food | Crafts | Farm Products | Food markets | Braderies, Réderies| Christmas markets
BEST
BUYS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM: Your LITTLE BLACK BOOK in Picardy
If you already know France,
and Picardy in particular, you'll appreciate that shopping here isn't
just a pleasure, it's more a way of life. But when your time is limited,
a little help in finding exactly what you want can come in very handy.
So whether it's gastronomic treats you're after, the drinks cabinet needs
restocking, there are presents to buy, or you simply want to take some
of that inimitable style Picard home with you, why not keep this little
guide (download it in pdf, which is a more
easily printable version) in the glove compartment as a starting point.
The sheer range and quality of goodies available, and at such very reasonable
prices, should certainly make shopping one of the highlights of your Picardy
break.
Our information is supplied by shoppers and the various Tourist Boards
of Picardy, and doesn't claim to be complete, so if you happen to come
across any interesting little places even we don't know about, and don't
mind letting us in on the secret, do please let us know so that they can
be included next year. We've done our best with opening times, but if
you're after something really special at one of the smaller family-run
outlets, it might be best to ring ahead and check to avoid possible disappointment.
(Note: you'll find listed at the end of this list the dates of the French
Bank Holidays).
So what does Picardy
have in store for you? To start with, for 'store', read a whole range
of outlets, from town-centre specialist shops offering every possible
kind of local delicacy, to farm shops in the middle of nowhere; from smart
little boutiques and gift shops tucked down side streets, to factory outlets
and hypermarkets out on the by-pass. And if you'd like to arrange your
shopping trips to coincide with a local street market, we've included
a list of market days for the main towns, along with dates for those wonderfully
atmospheric Christmas markets that are such a great source of inspiration
for presents of all kinds.
If you'd like a reminder
of what Picardy does best, here are some old favourites, and some that
might be new to you:
- Mouth-watering chocolates,
biscuits and cakes, such as Beauvais chocolate 'tuiles',
pâtes de fruit, 'prestiges de Chantilly' (praline and
nougat mousse), gateau battu, Amiens macaroons
and marrons glacés.
- Smoked and potted
products such as eel, shrimp, duck, chicken and trout,
and pâtés of all kinds.
- Local
cheeses such as Maroilles, goat and ewe farm cheeses and creamy
carré d'aven from the Laon area.
- Jams,
honeys and preserves.
- Genuine champagne
from the Marne Valley, together with wines, beers and ciders.
- Kitchenware - Le
Creuset, of course; fine crystal and handmade glass; decorative
faience; earthenware for home or garden use.
- Angora
sweaters straight from the farm, Paris chic and children's clothes.
- Specialist beauty
products and hand-made soaps.
- Wicker
and basket work
in all shapes and sizes.
Tempted? You will be,
so here's where to find them, and lots more besides. We have compiled
here a guide to some of the most interesting and individual shopping ideas
in Picardy. A word of warning - things like opening times have a habit
of changing and it is a little while since we called each establishment.
So do call first to check, if you can, just in case! And let
us have your comments and your own star discoveries.
You can DOWNLOAD
THIS GUIDE IN PDF format, which is version easier to take around...
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