Gourmet winter
Throughout autumn and winter, there and many markets in Aquitaine specialising in capon (corn-fattened chicken), duck, goose and "foie gras" liver. Conviviality and tradition guaranteed!
(Photo : OT Périgueux)
A good liver should be smooth and firm yet supple, with a tight skin. Its colour can vary from golden yellow in Perigord - where the birds are fattened with yellow corn - to pink-beige or pale yellow in the Landes - where the corn is white.
Don't forget to bring a coldbag to keep the liver chilled until you get home. It should also be cooked quickly. If you are unsure about what to buy, buy the liver vacuum-packed in a specialist shop.
A few dates and sites…
In Dordogne
>> Bergerac: Saturday morning and Wednesday morning, mid-November to end February (part of a traditional market) + Truffle market from 1st December to 28 February 2012.
>> Périgueux: Wednesday and Saturday mornings, from November until the beginning of March, with 4 award-winning markets on Saturdays 10 November, 10 December, 14 January and 11 February. Not forgetting the Truffle Festival on 17 December. Note! The tourist office proposes turnkey breaks!
>> Ribérac: Friday morning, mid-November to mid-March.
>> Saint Astier: Thursday morning, December to April.
>> Sarlat : each Saturday from November to end March (as part of a traditional market). The truffle festival will take place on 14th and 15th January 2012.
>> Sorges: Truffle festival, sunday 30th January 2011. Truffle market held every Sunday from December to January, 10am – 12.30pm.
>> Terrasson-Lavilledieu: Thursday morning, mid-November to mid-March.
>> Thenon: Tuesday morning, September to February (part of a producers market).
>> Thiviers: Saturday morning, November to March (part of a traditional market) + in December.
>> Vergt: Friday morning, November to March ( part of a traditional market) + competition in February.
>> Saint-Genies: Sunday mornings from December until the end of February, 9am to 12pm.
In Gironde 
>> Grignols: Sunday 18 December 2011 in the market halls and on the square.The Grignols capons are famous: fattened in the traditional style with grain, bread and milk, they are particularly delicious. As well as capons you will find hams and cheeses prepared by local producers. If you feel like having lunch you can have a meal in a festive, family atmosphere.
Enrolements before 15 December at: +33 (0)5 56 25 50 00.
>> Langoiran: 5 December 2010, from 10 am to 18 pm.
>> Monségur: 2nd Sunday of December (11 December 2011) and 2nd Sunday of February (12 February 2012).
(Photo : CRTA - Brigitte Bloch)
In the Landes
>> Villeneuve de Marsan: Wednesday morning, November to April (part of a traditional market).
>> Dax: Saturday morning, November to March (part of a traditional market).
>> Peyrehorade: Wednesday morning, November to March (part of a traditional market) + competition the 15 December 2010.
>> Saint-Sever: Saturday morning, all year round (part of a farmhouse market). Festivolailles, on 26 and 27 November 2011.
In Lot et Garonne
>> Agen: Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday mornings, mid-November to end January (part of a traditional market).
>> Villeneuve sur Lot: Saturday morning, October to March (part of a traditional market).
And in Béarn
>> Pau: Monday 7 am to 11 am at the exhibition centre, from the beginning of December to mid- February.
>> Orthez: Tuesday morning, November to end March.
Further information from the local tourist boards:
Dordogne: http://www.dordogne-perigord-tourisme.fr
Gironde: http://www.tourisme-gironde.fr
Landes: http://www.tourismelandes.com
Lot et Garonne: http://www.tourisme-lotetgaronne.com
Pyrénées Atlantiques: www.tourisme64.com
From 6 to 8 December 2011, 10:30am to 8:30pm, come and discover the most emblematic products of Aquitaine and the expertise of its.
A full menu with Gironde caviar, oysters, foies gras, a variety of conserves and salt meats and Basque cheese, with drinks for those of you who enjoy wine, floc and armagnac.
Maison Aquitaine
21 rue des Pyramides
75 001 Paris - France
Tél. : +33 (0)1 55 35 31 42
Fax : +33 (0)1 40 20 07 18
Email : contact@maisonaquitaine.fr
http://maison.aquitaine.fr
On 10th, 17th and 18th December 2011, winegrowers and other producers of regional specialties will be on hand to share their expertise and their produce. Tasting sessions, oenology lessons, culinary demonstrations, tips for finding the right wines to match those Christmas flavours… The first Saturday will be devoted entirely to visit and cooking classes.
This year’s theme is ‘Café Théâtre’. Our featured artists have been invited to compose and perform sketches for our visitors.
Planète Bordeaux
Maison des Bordeaux et Bordeaux supérieurs
Beychac et Caillau
RN 89 direction Libourne sortie n°5
Tel.: +33 (0)5 57 97 19 36
E-mail: planete@maisondesbordeaux.com
www.planete-bordeaux.fr
On Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th December, the owners of Château Latorse invite you to sample the pleasures of their Christmas Market, held in the château’s winery. On the bill: arts and crafts displays, an exhibition of classic bicycles, local organic produce, jewellery and clothes, tours of the estate, wine tasting, food…
And stacks of gift ideas for kids and adults alike!
Vignobles Latorse
950 Gabaron, 33670 La Sauve
Tél: +33 (0)5 56 23 92 76
Fax: +33 (0)5 56 23 61 65
email: vignobles.latorse@wanadoo.fr
From 10.00 am to 6.00 pm in a joyful, colourful atmosphere, 45 independent winegrowers open the doors of their cellars, along with their friends – farmers, craftspeople and artists.
From September through to December, the Jurançon Wine Route presents a variety of cultural events: concerts, exhibitions, tasting sessions and a number of activities.
Dates of events, information at:
Maison des Vins et du Terroir du Jurançon
64360 Lacommande
Tel. + 33 (0)5 59 82 70 30
Fax: + 33 (0)5 59 82 74 64
E-mail: contact@vins-jurancon.fr
www.vins-jurancon.fr
