SHOP | French Antique Market | Issigeac, Dordogne

Photos by Natalie Hayllar, Eat Read Love

French Antique Market - Issigeac, Dordogne

Issigeac Sunday morning market is your ultimate French antique market fantasy come to life. 

Issigeac

is a stunningly beautiful medieval village in the south east of

Bergerac

, in the

Perigord Pourpre

region of France. The popular Sunday morning Issigeac market is one of the most wonderful I have ever seen. The town was largely built between 13-16th century but dates back to well before 10

th

 century with romantic winding laneways, Romeo and Juliet style balconies and traditional 'colombage' houses. In Summer the local market grows to fill the entire village, with an amazing array of fresh local produce, French antiques and flowers. Swoon worthy is an understatement. 

The central courtyard comes alive with buskers and artists, you can enjoy crepes, sip on local wine, shop for fresh fruit and vegetable markets (

I have never seen so many amazing strawberries). After shopping you can

 relax in one of the delightful tea shops or wine bars, filled with locals and their canine friends. 

The

Le Salon de thé - Le Shabby Chic Corner

is probably one of, if not THE most prettiest places I have ever had a cup of tea, which I stumbled upon purely by accident. Here you can sit in the sunshine with the cutest little black sleepy cat by your side, enjoy a cuppa or hot chocolate with scones, and shop for French Shabby Chic antiques next door.

We spent hours wandering through this tiny village, the entire time I spent wishing I could carry everything home with me. Sadly my photos were the only thing to fit in my suitcase from this market visit. 

 And of course the drive to the market is hard to beat – we had to keep stopping to take photos of the fields of poppies!! Issigeac is one of the highlights of our drive through the Dordogne region and definitely worth a visit on a Sunday. 

STAY: A wonderful place to stay to explore Issigeac and the region is

Chateau les Merles

- beautiful 17

th 

Century boutique Hotel-Chateau in

Tuilières near Mouleydier,

and a short drive from Issigeac.

Mr & Mrs Smith

have some amazing packages at

Château

les Merles. Read all about our recent stay

here