La Longueville Fete

Well today I witnessed the world's biggest garage sale, or so it seemed! I was woken at 6.30am with talking and banging on the street below my window. I looked out and saw stall holders already setting up stalls by the light of the street lamps. It was very misty but wasn't raining so that would have been a relief for many. It doesn't get light in the mornings until nearly 7.30am.

The early birds in the mist at 8am.



I had asked a couple of weeks ago what the lines and numbers painted on all the kerbs meant and was told they were for stall holders on market days. Every five meters is a line with a number between two of them. It's first in, first served, so many try to beat the crowds and get a good position, especially the 'professional' stall holders who sell new items (from goodness knows where, but I'm not complaining about my $12 shoes!), and they just travel around from market to market selling their wares.There were a few hundred stalls so there was some competition.
By 10am the sun was shining brilliantly and there were hundreds of people and animals thronging the road and browsing the stalls. One had to vie for space as you walked along!

                One of the many mini dogs out for the day (as always!) and dressed for the occasion.

 

There were little ponies everywhere as well, walking with their owners, or taking kids for rides.

 All main roads were closed for the day. The village square had a carousel for the little ones and there were dodgems and a small indoor rollercoaster for older kids. Music was blaring out, and with the smell of abundant candyfloss, and deepfried Ch'ti specialities, crepes and belgian waffles, there was certainly a festive atmosphere.

All manner of food was for sale.

 

 And all manner of things.

 

Even plumbing bits....

 

and tools and weapons!



 

 



Horses of course play a big part round here and there was a showjumping event on just down from the square on one of Bernard's paddocks. That was a novelty for me to watch as I've never had anything to do with horses. There was also a dray ( cart?) being pulled by big clydesdales around the town as well.

 

I can imagine that these market days are important to many people who don't have much to spare. You could certainly clothe your family in decent attire and buy a huge range of toys etc for children. Furniture was also available and I suppose stalls vary from town to town.  The majority of people looked like ordinary village folk and I saw some women overweight!  French women always seem to be slim and it's a mystery how this can be with all the bread and cheeses consumed. Obviously some people around here don't monitor their intake of Ch'ti foods, especially the deep fried ones and les frites! (chips).  I must say that I didn't see many of Danielle's elegant friends striding up the road trying to sniff out a bargain, but I think that was probably because the majority of today's market was second hand goods and not much in the way of produce.

It was great to have a day with no rain, although the cold had settled in by 5.30pm. I have my bus trip with the kids tomorrow so hope it stays fine!

 I took my photos before the crowds arrived. Am definitely the only tourist around here and very conscious of it!