Peyrehorade

We have been trying to make the best of the winter months by spending our weekends discovering new towns. Before the holidays, a local friend of mine introduced me to the town of Peyrehorade. A small town of 3500 people, Peyrehorade is in Les Landes, the region just north of the Basque Country, and sits along L'Adour River.  It is full of old french charm and tradition.

We went for the Marché au Gras, which takes place every Wednesday morning between October and March.  As an animal lover and pescatarian, this was not my favorite type of market, but it was a unique experience and I wanted to see this traditional market. Local producers come to sell geese, ducks, chapons (corn-fed fattened chickens) and of course, foie gras. Entire ducks were suspended from metal racks and there were bins filled with every part of poultry imaginable. The French love their foie gras, and were waiting in line to buy it freshly prepared for the holidays.  Les Marchés au Gras are common throughout Southwestern France, during the winter months. 

I enjoyed my last visit so much, I took Pilou back to Peyrehorade this Saturday. We went for their marché traditionnel, that has been around since 1358.

 Peyrehorade is also home to J. Barthouil, who specializes in making foie gras and smoked salmon using the famous wild salmon de l'Adour. Wild salmon is a rare treat around here and I am always excited to find it at the fish market, when it is in season.  These salmon migrate all the way to the Labrador Sea to feed and then make the journey back.

On the way home we took the scenic route along l'Adour River, which you can follow all the way back to Bayonne.

The roads along the river are filled with kiwi fields and old farm houses. We stopped to buy some Kiwi de l'Adour directly from the farmers.