liesel

Which market is better .... Saturday market in Beaune or Sunday market in Amboise? We can only hit one.

Thank you!

StCirq

There isn't a tremendous difference among markets in decent-size towns in France, so it's really subjective. It depends on which regional products are most appealing to you, and they are going to differ considerably between the Loire and Burgundy. To narrow it down to one category, which wines are more appealing to you - those of the Loire or those of Burgundy?

It's also a bit odd that you are trying to decide between markets in two places that are considerably distant from one another.

Coquelicot

You can consult this website, which lists markets, market days, and number of sellers. The number of sellers isn't all that accurate, but it'll give you a rough comparison. If you're interested in something in particular, you can see if that specialty is being sold there.

Marchés de France

MmePerdu

Logistics could be a deciding factor, starting point, mode of transport & whether it's a day trip or overnight stop & where from there. More information would be useful.

Michael

Beaune is a larger town, which means that the market services a larger population and probably is larger than Amboise's.

zebec

Hi Liesel,
We haven't yet been to Amboise but can give a bit of opinionated feedback about the Beaune marche. We enjoyed it very much. Monique's wooden-stove pizza van on r. Republique was one highlight for us. So was the fellow whom we dubbed 'the gourd guy'. He was a local farmer who attended with his adolescent daughter as his assistant, his booth selling one of the most picturesque collections of gourds, squash, pumpkins and like that. We bumped into the two of them again a week later at Meursault's modest fall fest.
All the usual suspects will be @ Beaune marche: cheese, bread, produce, honey, clothing (on the periphery), kitchenware, baskets etc. One section seemed designated for antiques and made for a great variety. We went twice to the market and must say that we preferred the time when we arrived at sunrise, instead of later. Fewer crowds, more relaxed vibe. One possible foil to the crowded feel would be to afterwards stroll the Beaune ramparts, a unique circuit with no must-sees but plenty of atmosphere and a more sympa feeling.
Btw, Bistro Bourguignon, that area's first proper wine bar/cafe is still run in a quasi-casual way by the original couple. Their 'by the glass' offerings included a number of A-list heavyweights, normally available only by the cost-half-a-paycheque bottle. Very good food too. Bonne chance.
PS we did a trip report here a while back that included Beaune and Burgundy. It mentions also our fave marche, the quai St. Antoine one in Lyon.
I am done. The end.