If you happen to be on Facebook you probably got a headstart on today’s blog post. Last night Bill and I were at the main town square, Place Carnot, for a fair celebrating local products. There were representatives from area farms that produce almonds, cheese, honey, poultry, other meats, and of course, wine. Since the city was a major sponsor of the event, the mayor and several deputies were in attendance and that’s the photo, with us, that Bill has shared elsewhere.

The location of the fair was the same square that Bill and I walk to three days a week to buy fresh local fruits and vegetables. Although the farmers there last night were also all from a short distance away, the emphasis was on the products that they make rather than what they grow. In the top photo you see two gentlemen in chapeaux, one of whom is Martin whose family grows almonds and grapes and we got to sample the results of both. The second photo is another colorful booth where we chose to skip the samples. On their farm they raise goats and donkeys and on their table you see cheese…and you see sausage. Next booth, please.

The name for the event, thus the title for this post, derives from this area’s connection to the Cathars, who lived in this part of France during the 12th to 14th centuries and the city where it was held, Carcassonne. The next fair is this weekend and donkeys are not involved so you can bet that we’ll be there!