Marché Des Beaux Arts: Besançon fresh market

Oh la la, I’m back in France! And, of course, a month in Besançon means frequent trips to the local fresh market. In this case, the market is open six days a week in a giant, high-ceilinged hall full of little vendor stands. I gorged myself on pears and peaches, zucchini, bread, and Italian-style almond cookies. If you’re in town, check it out.

How to get there

The market sprawls inside a warehouse-sized space at 2 Rue Claude Goudimel.

When to go

The market is open Tuesday through Sunday. Tuesday – Thursday: 7:00 to 14:00. Friday – Saturday: 7:00 to 18:30. Sunday: 8:00 to 13:00. I found weekday mornings to be less crowded than afternoons or weekends (which is a good general rule for things like markets).

What to expect

You’ll find plenty of fresh produce alongside stands selling fish, meat, cheeses and other dairy products, honey, wine, Italian goods, bread, pastries, and more. There’s even a little restaurant inside.