Bandol, France

Bandol, France is one of many beach towns in Cote d' Azur along the Mediterranean Sea.  Our idea is to drive through these communes and enjoy a slow life, savouring the pollution free, salty, fresh air in these parts of France.  We also thought we would finally be rid of the pollen allergy we had since arriving in Italy on April 16, 2011.

Coming from Avignon, France we have since visited the coastal towns of Sausset les Pins, Marseille, La Ciotat, Saint Cyr Sur Mer and now Bandol.

It was difficult to go to the centerville so we waited for when we know by experience that streets and parking spots are not so busy, that is around 8pm.

On our second try to navigate the narrow streets of Bandol, we got lucky, we found a parking spot right along the beach and got luckier, there's free wifi.   We later drove to where we thought we want to spend the night but found a better one - free parking outside of the centerville, still along the beach.

This was our first time to score a parking spot along the beach with a full, unobstructed view of the yatchs and the sea.

The following morning, we woke to find it was flea market day and it is right there, set up right in front of us.  It was a pleasant surprise, as I am a flea market enthusiast.

As usual there were fruits and vegetables, fresh meat and cured meats, seafood, garments and footwear.  Most interesting were the really huge flat cooking pans where paella, chicken and beef stews, escargots and potatoes were cooked.  There were also roasted chicken and pork. 

I like this flea market better probably because it is right on the sea walk.  Market day is Tuesday.

Flea Market in Villeurbanne, France aka Flea Market in Lyon, France

Villeurbanne is only 5 kms from Lyon and according to wiki its Arrondissement is Lyon, France which probably means Villeurbanne is a commune of Lyon.  When researching flea markets in France, this flea market is referred to as biggest flea market in Lyon but it is actually located in Villeurbanne.

Lyon, France is not RV or camper friendly . there is no municipal camping for campers in or even surrounding Lyon.  Parking is non existent.  It is good we were set to go to Villeurbanne to spend the night in preparation for my much anticipated day flea marketing.

We also had a hard time finding a parking in Villeurbanne, we wanted to leave and drive at the motorway and sleep in an aire even it was already 12 mn.  We opted to stay and we were rewarded with a vacant parking spot in a neighborhood parking lot.  In the morning, my husband discovered our parking is only 5 minutes walk to the beginning (or end) of the flea market.  So we went and walked and looked and bought cherries euros 2.50 per kg, fresh green beans, a lot for euros 2.50 and peaches euros 1.5 per kg.

This flea market is a big disappointment for me. But what did I expect, quality products for cheap prices?  Clothing, shoes and everything else is low quality.  Food, fruits and vegetables are fresh and good prices.  Big flea market day is every Sunday. 

C'est la vie.

Flea Market in Chalon Sur Saone

Friday is flea market day in the city of Chalon Sur Saone.  The night before, we parked in a municipal camping site near Saone River.  It turned out, this municipal camping is just a block away from the flea market.

We found that fruits and vegetables here in Europe is a lot cheaper than in Canada or even USA.

Cherries here cost Euros2.50 per kg. = $3.50 per kg
In Canada, cherries cost $4 per lb or $8.80 per kg.

We bought, cherries, grapes and tomatoes.