Rouillac Market

A market is held in Rouillac on the 27th of every month so we went in October for the first time.
Nothing prepared us for the size of it.
we parked up, as the French do - anywhere - and it wasn't difficult to find somewhere even though the place was heaving.
As we walked towards the market I overheard a man behind me saying he was going to buy 33 chickens and 19 turkeys. I stifled a snigger.
On arriving at the first part of the market I was soon to eat my snigger, if such a thing is possible.
There were chickens everywhere. Not only hens and cockerels but turkeys, geese, ducks, parrots, canaries, love birds, cats, dogs and even a couple of pigs. There may have been even more earlier as we didn't arrive until around 11.00 ish.
I'm not sure how I feel about the selling of live animals. Made me feel a little strange to be honest.
Below are a selection of photos - the market sold just about everything. Lawn mowers, clothes, materials, things you need and things you probaly will never need. The only stalls missing were a butcher and fishmonger. Maybe something that is agreed so as to not impede business to local shops maybe?

Chrysanthemums abound everywhere - just prior to All Saint's Day
a lovely sight

Chooks

Birds

Ducks

Geese

Black and White turkeys

Dogs for Sale

Assortment of caps

Eels - they also cooked an eel dish in a huge paella pan

Wonderful selection of saucissons

Pumpkins

An eatery

Sitting in the sunshine taking a breather

On the way back to Villefagnan we passed a sign that said Pineau de Charentes so we came off the road and drove into a small hamlet and through a gate into a courtyard where a three legged black labrador came across the lawn to greet us. He was followed by a lovely lady who opened a door and took us inside to sample some Pineau that they make there.

Another couple arrived who live fairly locally to us and we spent a wonderful hour chatting and tasting Pineau des Charentes before buying a selection to take away.

We were also shown the back room where there were huge casks of Cognac that were maturing for 30 years before being bottled.

For anyone interested I absolutely recommend a visit. (they shut on Sundays)

Guy BONNAUD les Cailletières 16170 Gourville Téléphone: 05 45 21 73 30

http://www.cognac-bonnaud.com/

What a great day out. We shall certainly visit the market again. Maybe November - there may be a Christmas theme.

Until the next time.

Much love x