Fully fortified with a morning’s worth of strong coffee, we make our way to Valras-Plage, but not until after the daily pounce from neighbors who are here to tell us, yet again, that we can’t park HERE. (There seems to be no clear system of what’s acceptable for the placement of hapless tourist rental cars.)

We know nothing about Valras-Plage except that it’s on the Mediterranean, has a beach, and that it’s market day. (Wikipedia has nothing to say on the topic). So we go.

Finding a spot for our hulking vehicles is a challenge, but we succeed and are soon strolling down the rows of dried fruits, olives, sausages, garlic, cheeses, breads, hats and underpants. The market is packed with locals, baby strollers, families, grandpas, you name it. This is clearly the place to be on a Monday if you are a Valras-Plagian.

Jane L. admires some spectacular nougat cakes, and decides to buy a slice. She watches the proprietor slice a thin sheet from his massive cake and wrap it. He weighs it, and tells his customers that will be 17 euro. They are horrified. Ever helpful, Jane offers to buy half of the slice, and everybody is happy.

We see some wheels of cheese in unexpected colors — blue, red and green. They are flavored with lavender, tomato, and basil. We buy a bit of this and a bit of that. Nobody speaks English and none of us speak French, but it all works out, and the people are kind.

A quick lunch at a seaside bistro is perfectly timed. Then, we walk on the beach for a bit, marveling at the practicality of the rubber mats for people like us who are fully clothed and wearing shoes. Then back to the villa to cool off in the pool.

And yes — French people really do ride down the street on bicycles carrying baguettes.

 

Click on any photo below for full screen slideshow.

SWIPE or use spacebar to PLAY/PAUSE. Arrows also work.