The general consensus of opinion is that Thouars has the best market in the department, with Niort coming a close second.
Indoor market buildings tend to be attractive structures, where one can purchase anything fresh in the way of fish, meat, cheese, bread, but get there early, as they will be open at 8am and tend to close down at midday.
Outdoor stalls line the streets and tend to be there all day – unless it is raining or snowing!
Visitors will find anything from fruit and vegetables, flowers, shoes and clothes to hardware stalls, craft stalls and even sewing machines.
Tuesday
Bressuire: fresh fish, produce and general goods
Coulonges sur l’Autize: general goods
Lezay: large market, produce & general
Niort: general goods
Thouars: indoor fresh produce
Wednesday
Parthenay: fresh produce and general goods
Thursday
Argenton Chateau: general goods
La Mothe St Heray: goods general
Sauze Vaussais: large market, produce and general goods
Friday
Melle: local produce
Thouars (morning only): large fresh produce and general goods
Saturday (tend to be mornings only)
Airvault: local produce and general goods
Chef Boutonne: large general market
Parthenay: local produce
Saint Maixent l’Ecole (morning): indoor and general market