From basket to plate

Ever been on the fruit trail? In a loop of the Seine, between Notre-Dame-de Bliquetuit and Duclair, stretch colourful orchards where apple, pear and cherry trees benefit from a particularly favourable microclimate. Grab your basket – you can buy fruit “à la barrière” – and talk to the growers.

A key economic player in the city, Les Halles de Normandie promotes short circuits and distributes fresh, quality produce all year round. With the Rouen Tourist Office, visit the MIN and discover the secrets of these markets…

The markets in the Rouen area are a veritable meeting place for local produce and local life. In Rouen city centre, the stalls overflow with freshly-picked fruit and vegetables, mature cheeses, fish and shellfish, in a lively traditional market atmosphere. On the outskirts, the surrounding towns also offer generous markets, as in Duclair, where around forty stallholders bring together butchers, greengrocers and florists for a convivial morning. The La Bouille market, meanwhile, invites visitors on Friday evenings to stroll between stalls of local produce, honey producers and a brewery on the terrace, a moment that’s both gourmet and festive. These markets are much more than just a place to buy: they’re a crossroads of know-how, encounters and local produce, where each item tells a story – the story of Normandy and its craftsmen and women.

Les Halles Biltoki embodies the modern spirit of the markets of yesteryear. Located opposite Docks 76, just five minutes from Rouen city centre, the 1,000 m² space is home to a selection of restaurateurs. In this industrial setting converted into a contemporary loft, each business has been chosen for its ethics, its passion and its complementary nature. Les Halles Biltoki is a place to live: Whether you’re enjoying a cup of coffee, lunch with colleagues, an aperitif with friends or dinner with the family, Les Halles Biltoki offers a wide range of events (cookery workshops, night markets, guinguettes, etc.) to complement this friendly, gourmet venue and play an active role in the gastronomic life of Rouen.

In October, Rouen celebrates gastronomy in all its forms with two emblematic events: Rouen à Table! and the Fête du Ventre et de la Gastronomie Normande. These not-to-be-missed events bear witness to the city’s attachment to its terroir and the people who bring it to life. Between farmers’ markets, culinary demonstrations, exceptional dinners and festive events, Rouen celebrates the expertise of its chefs, craftsmen and local producers. The ” Fête du Ventre“, organised in the Vieux-Marché district, plunges locals and visitors alike into a convivial atmosphere where the flavours of Normandy take pride of place thanks to over 150 stallholders in the streets. As for Rouen à Table, it offers a creative and participative programme, inviting everyone to discover gastronomy as an art of living. Through these two key events, the Normandy capital is proudly affirming its membership of the UNESCO Creative Cities network for gastronomy, underlining its leading role in promoting short supply chains, culinary creation and the transmission of traditions.