Culture & Gastronomy Published on 04/05/2022
Whether on holiday, newly arrived or living in the area, we all love to stock up on fresh produce at the market! Whatever the season, we go to the market to do our shopping, but also to meet people and talk to the shopkeepers and producers. Dive into colours and aromas! We now take you on a tour of the Pays de Gex markets.
Tuesday, the market of Challex
In the market hall, this is a nice place to come and do your shopping in the late afternoon. Mainly for food (cheese, fruit and vegetables, meat, and fish) there is also a retailer selling kitchen utensils. Although Challex is the last wine-producing village in the Pays de Gex, it is possible to sample this legendary wine in the village. You can taste the wine of Mucelle at the cellar (by reservation).
Wednesday, Sauverny market
Another small recent market located in a village in the north-east of the Pays de Gex, between Versonnex and Grilly. The market offers a wide range of products: fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, cheese, world cuisine (depending on the season).
Friday markets in Cessy and Divonne-les-Bains
These two markets welcome you to the city centre on Friday mornings.
The mini market in Cessy has 2 merchants.
It is time for the weekend!
Saturday, markets of Ferney-Voltaire and Gex
The Ferney-Voltaire market is one of the oldest in the Pays de Gex. It was founded in Voltaire’s time. The market has expanded since then and there are no less than a hundred traders on the Avenue Voltaire and the Grand’rue.
Between the Voltaire statue and the town hall you will find the producers (fruit and vegetables, cheese, etc.). Among the local producers are the honey producer from the Voltaire apiary (in front of the town hall old facade), vegetables from the Blanc de Chevry family, lentils, and apple juice from Vesancy, the Michelin cheese factory (near the statue), pies from the world champion of the discipline (Avenue Voltaire) and Lélex’s homemade charcuteries (near the war memorial).
This market is just like the city: cosmopolitan. It offers not only French specialities but also Italian, Thai, Argentinean, Vietnamese, Turkish, etc. There is something for all tastes!
The Gex market is in front of the Tourist Office in Rue des Terreaux and offers a wide range of fresh produce.
Sunday markets in Divonne-les-Bains, Prévessin-Moëns and Thoiry
There are three markets to choose from! On Sundays, there is time to stroll, smell and chat. In these conditions, filling your fridge (with good products) is far from being a chore!
The Divonne-les-Bains market is one of the highlights of Divonne’s life. Traders display their products along the Grande Rue and on the Place de la Mélie. Besides, this small, secluded place shelters some craftsmen (butcher, fishmonger, poulterer). In the summer months, the terraces come alive, and it can be difficult finding a seat for a drink.
Recently, the Prévessin-Moëns market has moved to the brand-new town hall square, where market gardeners and producers can be found. It is close to the Colombier shops (bakery, butcher’s shop, grocery shop, post office, bar).
There is also the Thoiry market, established in 1984, which extends along Rue Briand Stresemann and Rue de Combes. It welcomes mainly food traders and greengrocers.
Find all the markets here.
