French for “the halls,” Les Halles refers to the open-air, central marketplace that once existed in Paris. If you travel beyond Paris, to Burgundy or Lyon or St. Jean de Luz, you’ll also find Les Halles, mini-me’s of the Parisian legend (now replaced by underground shopping). C’est dommage.
Les Halles, St. Jean de Luz
For some reason I was craving savory breakfast bites from the olive stand (ahem, post devourment of pain au chocolat, duh). Perhaps the savvy olive lady handing me free sample after free sample knew a thing or two about sales. I walked away with a sack of olives and sun-dried tomato dip. Tomorrow’s merienda.
olives
I spent most of the time wandering between vendors, admiring the fresh produce, jamón and fromage.
artichaut
Ay how I lust for French markets…
fraises
But for good reason, no? Aha, this is what it feels like to have a love affair with Spain and France…vale, d’accord.
bonito
Super nanny, friend and delifunartist Marti organized this trip for us to have a meet and greet with the legendary pasteleros and macaronists at Maison Adam. Unfortunately I have little photographic proof that I actually went here because I was all chit-chat and nibble nibble.
Maison Adam
12 generations later, the family that runs Maison Adam is still using the same macaron recipe. They specialize in almond-based products but offer an array of sweet treats from kanouga to gâteau basque to chocolat. In fact, I spent most of the time talking with the lovely, bedazzled-spectacles-adorning shop lady about chocolat.
Piment d’espelette
I like when friendly conversation leads to chocolate sampling.
A très bientôt.
49 Rue Gambetta
64500 Saint-Jean-de-Luz, France
05 59 26 03 54
