I’m hoping les Marchés Folkloriques is happening again this year, but something tells me we’ll enjoy ourselves regardless.

Scribetrotter, Ferney-Voltaire is on my list now, thanks so much! Wow, sounds like a fabulous market – and you wouldn’t know you were so close to Switzerland, nor in France for that matter ! We must plan a date to meet there one day ! As for Zurich’s market at the train station (on Wednesdays), it’s fantastic !! Just massive and I love to visit from time to time. I wrote about it here last summer in fact:
http://mykugelhopf.ch/2008/08/lets-make-a-deal/

Jen, imagine how you would react in front of all those stands – you’d really want to eat everything in sight !

Andrea, you said it – for such a small country, each region is so unique (French and German influences of course and Italian too) — in language, culture, the people, and of course local products and specialties, popular dishes and preparations… so fun to explore them all !

Next time you’re in Geneva, you should aim for a Saturday and – heresy – cross the border into the French town of Ferney-Voltaire. It’s a ‘different’ kind of market… because of the proximity in Geneva of the UN, it caters to dozens of nationalities so you’ll find Asian, African and Middle Eastern goods, for an international flavour right on the steps of Switzerland.

That said, even though I only go to Zurich about once a year and for a few hours at that, I’m always taken by the indoor market at the train station – everything looks so scrumptious and pastoral, almost straight from an Alp!

Your market in Luxembourg sounds fabulous as well – still a great variety. And yes absolutely, a visual feast. That’s why I love them so much ! But in response to your comment, the markets here in Zurich do also have a lot of the same products you find in the supermarkets (Coop & Migros) – some items for more money, some less. But there are always stands with organic items and telling you exactly where they are from, the farm, the farmers’ names, etc.

honey living, thanks for sharing those links – i’m going to check them out for sure. And of course I know Grand Central – a food lover’s delight for sure. I remember walking through many a time – sometimes not to buy anything, but just to look at the impressive variety of foods in one spot, and all so beautifully presented.

Olympus Tours, glad you enjoyed. I wouldn’t mind checking out the markets in Mexico one day myself!

Romy, how fun !! I am so jealous. Can’t wait to see your new glasses then. And the collection continues to grow … !

Aprille, not many people are familiar with fresh almonds in fact. Worth a try for sure.

Julia, just wandering around the market IS a joy! And whenever I buy fruit now, I always say – an avocado for tomorrow’s lunch, kiwis for this weekend, melon for tomorrow night, or that juicy nectarine for RIGHT NOW ! ha ha! That’s how they pick the best fruit for what you want. It’s different when you aren’t allowed to touch the fruits and vegetables yourself, that’s what I learned in Paris. Ne touchez pas !!