It's market day in Dijon

We were up bright and early this morning to attend the undercover markets in Dijon. We'd heard they were pretty good and decided we'd get something from them for breakfast. We've become pretty much accustomed to markets in Europe, from our four years of travels through the Continent, and found they never disappoint. Dijon's market was a little smaller than we'd expected, but nonetheless great to wander through. There was a real emphasis, as you would expect, on cheeses and meats, with terrines and pates in abundance. We often frequent markets in Australia, but there is something about a French market which takes things to another level. The meats always look, dare I say it, fresher as if they've come from some sort of super pigs or cows. But you can also buy pigeon, quail, rabbit in fact, just about anything which walks or flies. 

One of the flavoured salamis we purchased - magnificent.

Inside the Dijon market

These handmade terrines are very popular in this part of France.

White asparagus is also popular, and plentiful.

Quite early in the morning, so not very crowded yet (best time to shop)

We decided on a beautiful fig salami, at 4 euros a real steal, but we could have chosen from over twenty different flavourings. We also bought a loaf of crusty french bread and an apricot pastry, both of which were delicious. A beautiful ruby red grapefruit, which are so much better than any I've tasted back home, an apple and some bananas completed our breakfast shop. Suffice to say, our breakfast was worth the experience.

We also decided to purchase a 24 hour travel pass, something we love to do in every city we visit. We then spent a good five or six hours hopping off and on buses and trams, which took us the length and breadth of Dijon. I wanted, during our stay in Burgundy, to visit one of the wineries and ever resourceful Alison found one just on the outskirts of town, only a short walk from where one of the city buses terminated. It was a great little trip and, sure enough, ten minutes after getting off we were surrounded by hectares of grape vines, and a very old winery, called Chateau de Marsannay. The cellar door was quite different to anything we are used to back home. Rather than being greeted by a long bench with tasting glasses and young men and women offering suggestions to try, we were greeted by someone who more closely resembled a receptionist. I didn't quite know if I was there to taste or make an appointment with a medical specialist. We were told we could look around and, if we found something we wanted to buy, she would be happy to let us have a taste, but with most bottles somewhere around the 30 - 60 euro mark, we decided not to trouble them. Still, it was lovely out in the country among the grape vines, which are much lower to the ground than ours back home, and all within 30 minutes of the centre of town.

How French is this? A beautiful house we walked by on our way to the winery (I've put in an offer with the owners).

Ah, a french vineyard in the middle of Burgundy.

This is Chateau de Marsannay

Alas, we leave Dijon tomorrow on our return to Switzerland (I've been collecting bottles and cans from the side of the roads and cashing them in for the deposit - we'll need the extra cash). Once again, we've fallen in love with Dijon but we've felt the same about every place we've visited, and I'm sure Basel and then Zurich will receive similar praise once we're there.