Toulouse: a few days before Christmas, the Victor Hugo market is working hard
One week before Christmas, the 80 merchants of the Victor Hugo market are in the starting blocks. Their windows are full of good products, December 23 and 24 will be crucial for their sales.
Hands taken in a smooth coating, Benjamin Papaix “degreases a 650 gram confit foie gras. It was cooked at low temperature. A lot of our customers swear by this product for them ”, announces the poultry house, of the eponymous house, based in Cambiac.
Established in the heart of the Victor Hugo market, for 5 years, Benjamin Papaix has received all the festive poultry, “namely rolled capons from Bresse, black capons from Astarac, hens, geese, turkeys … We have a lot of things”, warns- he. You have to count 78 € for a black capon from Astarac, “and for Bresse, you can go up to 180 € / 200 € each. We are on exceptional chicken ”, specifies the poultry house. At this price, it is better not to miss the cooking, “this is why we give precious advice”, says Benjamin Papaix.
For him, as for other traders in the market, this holiday season is crucial. “We make half of our annual turnover in December,” confirms the poultry house.
Further along, at the Thierry Salas lodge, specializing in the artisanal smoking of seafood, including Scottish salmon, Julien noted, this year, an increase in last-minute orders. “Everything will be concentrated around the three days before Christmas. We are organizing for that. The next ones will be available. Quality too ”, he assures us.
At the Triperie Gasconne, what works the most at Christmas are “sweetbreads to be served with parsley or in bites à la Reine”, explains Antoine de Lagausie.
Markets: exceptional openings
Note the exceptional opening of the city’s three covered markets on December 23, 24, 25, 30 and 31, 2021 and January 1, 2022.
Saint Cyprien: Thursday December 23 (7 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Friday December 24 (7 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Saturday December 25 (7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.), Thursday December 30 (7 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Friday December 31 (7 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Saturday January 1 (7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.).
Victor Hugo: Thursday December 23 (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.), Friday December 24 (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.), Saturday December 25 (7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.), Thursday December 30 (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.), Friday December 31 (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.), Saturday January 1 (7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.).
Carmelites: Thursday December 23 (7 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Friday December 24 (7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.), Saturday December 25 (7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.), Thursday December 30 (7 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Friday December 31 ( 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.), Saturday January 1 (7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.).
Émilie, from the eponymous cheese dairy, plans to sell “truffled brie, 36-month-old Comté and Roquefort, these are our three flagship products for the holidays,” she announces. At the end of the year, the quantities of cheese sold “will be quadrupled. December 23 and 24 are for me the two most important days of the year, ”admits Emilie Cavero.
In the early fruit department now, Fabrice Ceaux has stocked up on exotic fruits in his “Little paradise”. “At Christmas, we want things that are out of the ordinary, such as mangoes, pineapples, lychees and even Chilean cherries to bring spring to the table…”, assures the seller. He prepares fruit baskets for next week “in the middle of the table to accompany the whole meal”.
No parties without chocolate. Also at the lodge “From the bean to the palace”, the activity is in full swing. “After Easter, it’s the other high point, we work three times more. The rush started ten days ago with the gifts, ”says Magali.
While at the Authié pastry shop, Jessica expects “a busy first weekend in terms of the order book”. Among all its logs, the Royale is the most requested “for its dark chocolate, vanilla crème brûlée and sparkling praline”. She also has a lot of requests for macarrés “which are very popular”.
We can’t wait for the holidays to begin as the stalls of the Victor Hugo market give you an appetite!