France’s most beautiful market: Small town in south-west wins contest
La Réole, south-east of Bordeaux, beat off competition from hundreds of other French markets
The contest to find France’s most beautiful market was organised by the French television channel TF1
Shutterstock / Kaesler Media
After a campaign stretching more than three months, France’s ‘most beautiful market’ has been announced, with the small town of La Réole, Gironde, taking the crown.
The sixth edition of the competition, hosted by French television channel TF1, saw hundreds of markets battle it out for the title before the winner was announced on Thursday (June 29).
“I'm very, very pleased, as are all the citizens and the agents who worked so hard to ensure that La Réole came out on top,” said the town’s mayor, Bruno Marty.
“It's well deserved, because we're a local market with lots of social interaction and, let's face it, quality produce,” he added.
Long competition
La Réole’s route to the final was by no means assured, having to win a number of smaller contests beforehand.
After winning the local vote to represent the Gironde department, it then went up against other nearby markets, in a bid to represent Aquitaine.
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The markets in the nationwide contest were whittled down to a final 10 before La Réole won the title.
Other markets in the final included markets from Vannes, Colmar, Argenton-sur-Creuse, Yvetot, Sète, Grenade, Arras, Garéoult and Thouars.
Alongside a public vote, a super jury consisting of famous TV personalities and cherry-picked TF1 viewers helped choose the winner.
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La Réole, with a population of only 4,300 people, is by far the smallest to win the competition.
All in all, more than 9.5 million votes were cast during all stages of the competition.
Local pride over victory
Alongside the mayor, residents of the local area were enthused by the market’s win, which they said was duly deserved.
“La Réole has a history, and that all adds to its charm. What I like most of all is the friendliness of the shopkeepers,” said Maryse, from the nearby commune of Saint-Pierre d'Aurillac.
Before Covid, the market was seeing dwindling numbers of visitors, but was reinvigorated after the pandemic, with up to 800 visitors per hour last year.
The market’s strength lies in its fresh – largely local – produce, including famous Bordeaux wines, as well as oysters and strawberries.
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