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Destination Information for France



Review : France

Bayeux is such a rich tapestry
From the Mail on Sunday
Spend those holiday francs before it's too late. In France, and the other countries that have accepted the euro, the old money goes out after the new currency comes in on January 1, 2002. A perfect excuse for an autumn break.
The small and handsome city of Bayeux is ideal. Fine buildings, the famous tapestry, some high quality shops and one of the top markets in the country coupled with the fact that it's only 30 miles from Ouistreham, France's easiest ferry port for car passengers, make it a winner.
Arrive early on a Saturday morning and you'll be in time to watch the livestock owners setting up, grabbing handfuls of protesting ducklings from the backs of lorries and popping them in wire cages along the edge of the pavement.
As the market, officially recognised as one of the 100 best in France, peaks around 10am there is time for breakfast before the pace hots up. Market traders and visitors who pride themselves on knowing the local custom go for tete de veau, white wine and Calvados at Chez Yann, a narrow traditional brasserie just off the market square.
More acceptable and just as entertaining is the good coffee, hot croissants and rolls at La Taverne des Ducs facing the large, leafy square.
The September sun shone, cocks crowed and hens squawked. Crates of wriggling rabbits, half a dozen aggressive geese and assorted caged birds had joined the ducklings and for two hectic, glorious hours the market was in top gear. 'Oh dear, how terrible,' the middle-aged English visitor was aghast as she watched an elderly woman casually picking up and inspecting rabbits for the pot.
'How much?' 'Thirty francs, Madam.' About £3 a rabbit. The sentimental English would buy them not for the pot but for pets or, even worse, to set them free. There was a small shriek from the English woman. 'Don't say that poor creature is to be killed too?' she pointed to a solitary curly-horned lamb standing forlornly in a milk crate. She was assured that it was a pet, a useful live lawn mower, a bargain at £50.
'Thank heavens for that,' she sighed and made for another stall where, having read the leaflet describing the contents of the glass jars of prize-winning tripe, a popular local delicacy, she politely declined a taste.
Some stalls sell books, secondhand clothes, cassettes and magnificent country furniture but food dominates this rural market.
Travel Guide: France


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