If you should find yourself in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France on a Saturday morning, you'll be in for a great surprise. The 'Place du Mont-Blanc' is descended on by market traders from all around and chaos reigns.
The market is in the middle of town and is dissected by a busy road. Traffic flow is interrupted by elderly ladies, clutching bags of fruit and flowers mistakenly believing they suddenly have right of way because it’s market day. Traders park vans anywhere and everywhere. Buggies, bikes and skis can come at you from any angle and direction. And everyone in Chamonix, locals and tourist, come to taste, smell, prod and barter. It's a veritable assault on the senses and I always go when I am in town.
From cheese, sausages and baguettes to hats, shoes and wooden dinosaurs, there really is something for everyone. Treat yourself to a punnet of cherries but watch out for the pushy French way and don't get offended by the occasional elbow in your face as those elderly ladies spy their quarry and go in for the buy.
All the time, the Mont-Blanc massif dominates overhead. You'll either be watching the peaks in the sunshine or the clouds rolling by indicating an imminent storm. One way or other you'll have one eye on the skies and the other on the market.
And after you are finished shopping you can stop at one of the many local cafes and refuel with an espresso whilst contemplating the long walk home. Heaven!
