An eyeful of Garlic & Basil in Tours, France

Foire à l'ail et au Basilic

Every year on the 26th of July, vendors come to the city of Tours in the Loire Valley to sell their garlic and basil.

It's a tradition that dates back to medieval times, and one that still brings visitors from afar who come to take advantage of the extraordinary selection of basil plants or to stock up on garlic for the winter.

Whether a first-time visitor or an annual attendee, the sight of a sea of green spreading out from one end of the Place du Marché to the other is always amazing. Basil plants adorn the pavement like a soft, plush carpet, stretching as far as the eye can see. And not just one variety of the plant, but as many as a dozen different varieties are available to the eager, if not necessarily discerning palate.

Green, miniature-leafed plants contrast with the purple peppered basil, while gargantuan-leafed plants (whose pungent smell makes you feel like you are in a jar of pesto) contrast with other different varieties, such as Thai, cinnamon or anise.

Whatever your desire, you are sure to find your happiness.

Lining the street on either side of the 'green carpet', market stalls overflow with more selections of garlic than you knew existed. While still widely popular, the traditional white bulbs are almost overshadowed by the finer, pink and purple varieties, rendered even more desirable in their tressed form. Onions, shallots, and other artisan products are also available. Further along there are stalls offering regional wines and wine-tasting, honey & honey products such as pain d'épice or mead, spices, and more.

In case you haven't eaten, or the sight and smell of all these good things makes you hungry, several vendors offer regional dishes such as andouillettes and frites.

Then, because this is a "fete" after all (the Foire is always held on July 26, which is the Feast of Ste. Anne), there is some musical entertainment. This year, a young group of musicians played at one end of the market, drawing a crowd around them to watch and listen to their lively rhythms. "Little Swing" featured a violinist who really knew how to swing and get people's toes tapping. The spotlight bounced around amongst the different members of the band - guitar, double bass, percussion - and many bystanders were interested in buying one of the CDs the group had digitally mastered.

With the sun shining, lively music in the air, and good produce to indulge in, the Foire à l'ail et au basilic is an annual event to aim for, if you're planning a holiday in the Loire Valley next summer.