Salads, leeks, spinach, shallots, etc. Maybe even a little chives. Annick did not come for nothing, Saturday November 2, 2024, to the market at Place Ernest-Nivet, in Levroux. Nearly €40 worth of vegetables from the Jardins de Villegourdain, from market gardener Neil Chatelain, pile up in his cart. “There’s enough for the week. » The dashing sixty-year-old is a regular here. “I regularly go to the markets here and elsewhere, it allows me to socialize. » The one on Saturday morning, in Levroux, has a particular flavor. “I also buy herbal liqueurs or gluten-free pastas. » She is also not insensitive, we are told, to the jewelry displayed a little further away.
The concept is quite unique in Indre since it brings together local producers, processors and craftsmen in a weekly meeting, what its instigator, Neil Chatelain, calls the “doers”. “Three years ago, there were just two of us: the goat cheese producer and myselfremembers the market gardener. I even found myself all alone last winter. »
Levrous market gardener Neil Chatelain is at the origin of the concept.
© (Photo NR, Bertrand Slézak)
“We reconnect with the history of the town”
This small market had to be revived. “In March 2024, with the fishmonger from Martizay, we invited these “doers” who, like us, are faced with the same issues. We have to spend time in the fields or in the workshop and, at the same time, be in the markets for the direct sale of our products. » The medieval heart of Levroux, Place Ernest-Nivet, host to the Maison de bois, and a stone's throw from the collegiate church and three minutes from the Porte de Champagne, is an ideal setting. “We reconnect with the history of the commune, land of tanning, an activity linked to goat and sheep breeding. People here told me that goat cheese comes from Levroux, and that Valençay got the AOP. »
Activities were organized for this first “Autumn Market”.
© (Photo NR, Bertrand Slézak)
Every Saturday, several artisans and processors from the department are invited. “There are three or four of us permanent and between two and six guests. » This November 2, 2024, more than thirty, most of them having already visited the place, were present for a first edition of the Autumn Market, an event that Neil Chatelain would like to make annual.
Delighted artisans
Among them Marie Morère. “The concept is nice, it allows you to get out of your workshop, meet people, welcomes the Levrousaine ceramist, in his stand, at the foot of the collegiate church. I sell my products at Boutiqu'arts, but I am also a teacher and cannot be there all the time. »
Marie Morère, ceramist, appreciates returning to this Levroux market.
© (Photo NR, Bertrand Slézak)
Rue de l'hôtel de ville, which leads to Place Nivet, Sandrine Gaury exhibited her Murano spun glass jewelry. ” It's fragile “she warns. She, who is nevertheless one of the most diligent, will probably not return from winter. “It’s risky if there’s wind or bad weather. » But as soon as spring returns, she will be faithful to the appointment. “I only know this concept here. I meet an audience who does not necessarily attend events dedicated to artistic crafts. » With success since around ten of them have already traveled to its manufacturing site, in Luçay-le-Mâle. A way to build customer loyalty.
Three markets, one too many?
Levroux also has the particularity of hosting three markets, on Monday, Friday (born from the Covid crisis) and Saturday (launched ten years ago), even though the town has less than 3,000 inhabitants. For Neil Chatelain, there is perhaps one too many, “at the start of the weekend”. For him, “one day we will have to sit around a table”. Mayor Alexis Rousseau-Jouhennet is not worried about this potential competition. “The large traditional Monday market mainly attracts an elderly clientele; on Fridays, they are more active after work or after picking up the children from school; on Saturdays, we are in between, in addition to the shops on Place Ernest-Nivet, the caterer, the bakery, the florist. There's something for everyone. »
