At first glance, the quiet Bastide town of Libourne might pale in comparison to the vibrant Bordeaux or picturesque Saint-Émilion, but I tend to find beauty in the ordinary. Our time exploring the open-air marché of Place Abel-Surchamp was one of my favorite memories from the trip. I love markets, in general, but this one was surrounded by exquisite arcades and classic limestone buildings of Aquitaine.
I was starting to get antsy (read: cranky) walking around with the… leisurely tour group. I applauded quietly as the guide told us that we’d now have an hour to explore the market on our own. From my peripheral vision, I had spotted a vendor selling straw market bags– the one thing I wanted as a souvenir from the trip. It was the best 15 euro purchase I’ve ever made, and brought me the greatest sense of joy as I wandered through the market imagining that this was part of my weekly routine.
I’m so happy to have a small piece of France to carry with me next time I visit our local farmers market. It also serves as the perfect place in our house to store the travel magazines and books that serve as inspiration for our next adventure.
