With an impressive selection of rental properties along the Aquitaine coastline in popular spots such as Biarritz and Hossegor, the team at Alternative Aquitaine are experts in all the region has to offer. Deliciously fresh seafood and wholesome cuisine are among the top reasons Alternative Aquitaine's clients love visiting the area, and the huge variety of fresh produce available at local food markets is a real experience in itself - the produce looks familiar, but everything is fresh, deep in colour, ripe, and tastes & smells of summer. The team at Alternative Aquitaine reveal their top tips and secret spots for stocking up on fresh produce, or just taking in the sights, sounds and smells of one of the cornerstones of French existence – the local marché.

Biarritz Les Halles Centrales

Biarritz Les Halles is the grand cru of all the food markets along this coast. It is the oldest (since 1885), biggest and open all year round.  In the middle of Old Biarritz, surrounded by cafés & restaurants, and just a stone's throw from the Plage des Basques. Piments (small spicy red peppers), charcuterie and cheeses from the Pyrénées, Basque breads and cakes – with a typically Gallic flourish - Biarritz Les Halles is said to be where you'll find the Basque soul. To go truly native get there early, shop, then head to one of the surrounding cafés for breakfast.

Open every day 7.30am to 1.30pm.

Stay nearby: Le Vieux Biarritz (https://www.alternative-aquitaine.co.uk/beach-houses-apartments/biarritz/vieux-biarritz) , stylish 2 bed apartment in the heart of Old-Town Biarritz, walking distance from Les Halles.

Marché Aux Poissons, Capbreton

Capbreton neighbours Hossegor and is a working fishing port, home to an armada of 19 fishing boats. From stalls on the quayside each boat sells its catch to restaurants and fishmongers, but also to members of the public. Brush up on your poisson vocab, get up early, don your best white wellies and give it a go! (OK, you can skip the wellies.) Sellers will gut, de-scale & fillet as required, and even suggest local recipes.

Open every day 9am-midday, 3-6pm – days/times may vary according to conditions.

Stay nearby: Villa la Piste (https://www.alternative-aquitaine.co.uk/villas-with-pools/hossegor/villa-la-piste), lovely family villa with 3 bedrooms and private pool just a short walk to the beach and town.

Marché du Cap Ferret

Next to the daily marché selling local products and tasteful souvenirs is the main event, Cap Ferret indoor fresh food hall. It's big and loud, with a surprisingly intoxicating smell of espresso, ripe cheese, fresh oysters and bread. Get there at 10 and there'll be ancient grandmas buying their veg, up-since-dawn surfers and traders having an early beer, Parisiens haggling with wine dealers and bewildered out-of-towners trying to look unfazed by it all. Fabulous!

Open every morning 8am – 1pm mid-June to mid-September.

Stay nearby: Villa des Cigales (https://www.alternative-aquitaine.co.uk/villas-with-pools/cap-ferret/villa-cigales), 4 bed family villa just a short walk to the Marché du Cap Ferret.

Marché de Piraillan (Cap Ferret)

A few kilometres up the peninsula from Cap Ferret village is Piraillan, whose daily summer market from the outside looks quite unassuming with some surprising wares for sale, including, bizarrely, a huge stall of mattresses. Step inside and the food hall is a revelation – dozens of sellers of the ripest peaches, reddest tomatoes, almost weightless crusty baguettes, to-die-for patisseries, variously unknowable varieties of seafood and a wonderful deli counter.

Open 8am -1pm daily from the last Saturday in June to the first Saturday in September.

Stay nearby: La Cabane Pecheur (https://www.alternative-aquitaine.co.uk/beach-houses-apartments/cap-ferret/cabane-pecheur), charming 2 bed fisherman's cottage, a short cycle to Piraillan.

Les Nouvelles Halles, Arcachon

A centrepiece of Arcachon's regenerated pedestrian district is the smart, glass-fronted, covered food market. A more mannered affair than Cap Ferret, the produce for sale is as enticing as anywhere, especially the range of seafood, prepared dishes to heat at home and a remarkable selection of oysters fresh out of the Bay – you can enjoy half-a-dozen with a perfectly chilled Sauvignon Blanc at the wine bar in the corner.

Open 7.30am to 1pm every day plus 5pm-8pm Fridays & Saturdays during the holiday season, out of season opening hours are more limited.

Stay nearby: Les Cabanes du Moulleau (https://www.alternative-aquitaine.co.uk/beach-houses-apartments/arcachon/cabanes-du-moulleau), contemporary 3 bed apartments in the chic Moulleau district, a short bike ride to the market.

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For further information or images, please contact Alternative Aquitaine at info@alternative-aquitaine.co.uk or on 01395 576655. Follow developments on Twitter (@AltAquitaine), Facebook (Alternative Aquitaine) and Instagram (@alternativeaquitaine)

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