awakenings

So, I got free entry to go and see one of France's largest Farmer's Markets (the second largest, in fact). I took my daughter and we had fun.

It is held every year at the Bergerie Nationale in Rambouillet. The Bergerie Nationale is at the Château de Rambouillet (the castle) and it was one of Marie-Antoinette's favourite places to go. You'll also see the "Laiterie de la Reine" or the "Queen's Dairy Farm", where she had milk and dairy products produced, and also the very famous "Chaumière au Coquillages" or the "Shell Cottage" which is a small cottage entirely lined on the inside with seashells, which apparently she loved too.

Today, much of the grounds serves to house the famous Bergerie Nationale or the National Sheepfold. Since 1926, it was inaugurated as the National School of Sheepfolding (yes, seriously, these kinds of places exist.) Before you start thinking that it's a dilettante place, change your mind: it is actually the National Laboratory for Organic and Intelligent Agriculture, which is highly important for the agriculture and farming all over the world, but also for Sustainable Development.

They regularly hold events, as well as classes and camps for children who can learn about traditional but also organic and natural farming. And it is the biggest centre in France for apprenticeship and training in agriculture, farming, equine science and care, as well as all the related veterinary sciences and zootechnical sciences.

So, yes, if you're now all wondering, I live in horse-riding land, and yes, both me and my daughter are more often than not to be found in the stables.

The bi-yearly Farmer's Market or "Pari Fermier" is held over 4 days and we went on the last day.

It's always interesting to go; granted the products are certainly more expensive - which is to be expected - but you will get an amazing quality of food and produce.

Some of the famous Merino sheep. They're actually quite sweet. And yes, they stink.

Don't know if you can see him, but I saw this scurrying out of the corner of my eye and when I went to look, there were 4 tiny little mice, running around. They hide under some boards, but I waited patiently. Then one of them stuck his little head out! So cute!

The sheer quantity of food was SPECTACULAR. As you can imagine, HEY we're in France!!!! Tonnes of cheeses, meats, cured meats (ham, sausages, etc.), jams, sweets, honeys, cakes, breads and of course, WINE! But, we walked this farmer who was making chips (fries). I mean, he was PEELING HIS OWN POTATOES and then marinating them in a mix of fresh onions, garlic and parsley and fresh Herbes de Provence. Although the queue was unbelievable, we patiently waited to get some. And man, let me tell you.....we did not regret it a second!

I didn't taste any of the meats; I'm sorry but I don't really eat meat but what I did taste was GREAT!!!

And we also got to have some fresh crêpes with home-made jams. I had mine with blackberry jam (because that's my absolute favourite jam) and my daughter had hers with raspberry (because that's her absolute favourite jam) and we did a jam-tasting session with the farmer's. WOW. I don't know about you, but I love jam. I'm not a chocolate fiend; but I do love my jams! And I bought some home-made elderflower jam and some raspberry and gooseberry jam (made with 100% organic sugar) to bring home.

And we took a stroll around the grounds to go and see some of the animals too.

A heifer. Very friendly they are, cows.

A beautiful horse. So gorgeous.

Like I said, they're very friendly they are, cows.

Fun with a chip. Had to put it in.

Also bought some organic whole-wheat bread, but I didn't have time to take a picture of that. That went pretty quickly, to be honest!!!!

And that's it from Cocorico land!

See you guys soon!