Take a beautiful warm sunny day, an extremely pretty French village, and a pottery market; mix it all together and you get a great recipe for a perfect Sunday morning in late September; this is just how we spent last Sunday in the village of Mornac-sur-Seudre.
We have passed the signs to the village numerous times on our way to Royan; I had even at some stage over the summer looked it up and discovered that it is listed as one of France’s most beautiful villages in the guide Les plus beaux villages de France. Yet, as is so often the way, we had never taken the detour and never visited. However throughout September I had seen big signs locally advertising a Marché de Potiers (pottery market) in Mornac over the weekend of September 26th and 27th. Now, all markets, whether they be food-orientated, crafts, wine or antiques, are like a red rag to a bull for me, and I made a mental note that we had to visit! Fortunately Roddy and the children all share my enthusiasm for adventure and so last Sunday after our usual struggle to get everyone plus two dogs out of the door in a timely fashion we drove our well-travelled route in the direction of Royan and for the first time ever we took a strange right-hand turn half way there and headed to the little village of Mornac-sur-Seudre.
The village is an old fishing and commercial port which today focuses more on oyster farming and the salt produced by its marshes and it made the most perfect setting for the Marché de Potiers. Many stalls had all been set up along the river with potters from throughout the south-west of France.
The atmosphere was almost like a giant party; a long table had been set up in the middle of the market for people to sit and eat their picnics of local produce, all washed down with many bottles of local wine. To be truthful, this is something the French excel at, and there is little quite as convivial as a French gathering en-masse at lunchtime in the open air. Elsewhere restaurants were starting to fill up as the lunchtime hours got under way, and it was hard to choose exactly where to eat and what to eat; local savory crêpes seemed like a good light lunch but then it’s hard to turn down the local tradition of Moules Frites !
Away from the market we wandered through the narrow streets which were a classic example of a Charente Maritime coastal village; hidden away here and there amongst the white painted houses with their green or blue shutters were several little artisan shops. There was a jeweler or two, a leather-smith, painters, a glass-blower, a fine porcelain artist and a wonderful house of curiosities that we lost Roddy to for half an hour. We had no idea where he had gone but when he re-emerged into the sunshine he was gabbling about shrunken heads, golden cowries and stuffed hippos. I think we will have to go back to check on that one !
I love the atmosphere in all the villages here; there is nothing threatening, everywhere feels very safe, and time passes at an unhurried and leisurely pace.
It was very low tide but we promised ourselves we would return when the water was higher; it’s possible to rent kayaks and explore the local marais so we have tentatively put aside one weekend and will return before winter sets in. We left with a brace of new china pieces, and a bevy of very contented smiles. It was a very self-satisfied drive home….
Our French Oasis 
I am such a sucker for pottery. I am having a vintage/antique sale this weekend so I can buy more. 😉
Yes me too, we have far too much but always seem to find space for more!!!
I love all of France, but I really love the late summer colour in the Charente Maritime villages.
Jacqui, I agree the light is so incredible at this time of year, have a great weekend 🙂
Wonderful, I wish i’d been there too!
It was great fun, could have spent all day there and spent a small fortune!!!
So many beautiful towns and villages in France, another one to add to my ‘want to see’ list. Bonne journée Diane
Definitely add this one to your list, is so so pretty, a very happy weekend to you 🙂
oooooooohhh Susan! Can we go????
Yes yes yes,so much to do, so many places to visit 🙂
What a lovely day. The pictures are gorgeous. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you so much, it is such fun to share these places with so many people, thank you for taking the time to comment and enjoy the rest of the weekend 🙂
Looking at your photographs reminds me what is so tantalizing about many European towns and villages–it is the amazing variety of color and especially, texture, there is to be found – in the rough building walls, different road surfaces, gorgeous plantings, and definitely higgly-piggly market places. So pleasing to the eye. Thank you! The visual tour is lovely.
Thank you Mary, nothing is ever the same here and I agree that is what makes it all so visually appealing, no one house is like the next and nothing can be taken for granted!
Oh I was right there! I could feel that sunshine and the wonderful atmosphere – and I’ve never been to that part of France! yet! My husband and I are hoping to travel round parts of France when he retires in a years time. Can’t wait and the Chantes Maritime will be on our list! I’ve started French lessons in readiness! I enjoy reading your blog – it’s such a down to earth, family oriented blog and full of beautiful photos. Thank you for sharing.
Just realised I may have been guilty of repetition!! Told you in last post about French Lessons!! Senior moment I’m afraid!! My apologies. but thank you so much for replying – that’s so welcome and not all bloggers do that. Have a lovely week.
Thanks Marion, never apologise, it’s always lovely to hear from everyone and good luck with the French lessons, now you need to start planning your trip over here to put all you have learnt into practice! Have a lovely weekend 🙂
We visited this pretty village today..just as you have described! Going again tomorrow as there is a big brocante, flea market on, my weakness
I am so glad you went Christine and I am so glad you enjoyed it. Huge brocante tomorrow, I might pop over in the morning, it’s meant to be a beautiful day and the children want to go to the beach, so we will have to see if time allows! Are you here on holiday? Either way I hope you have a great day tomorrow and find some great bargains! Xx