Unlike the exhibition fairs, the sixty stands installed under the municipal hall of Argenton-sur-Creuse do not disperse. The event organized this weekend by the Franco-German twinning committee Argenton – Ulm Wiblingen is the epitome of a Christmas market focused on three themes: gastronomy, decoration, and gift ideas.
Those who may be surprised by the presence of the Bas-Berry model railway club will quickly understand the reason. The association based in Saint-Marcel took the opportunity to present a three-rail network from the German brand Märklin, belonging to one of its members, Jean-Louis Geiger. “We wanted to mark the occasion by showing creations different from ours since our miniatures are all in two rails”explains the president of the association Daniel Villeneuve, who also traveled with a model of rue Gambetta in the 1930s, at the time of the Berry jalopy.
An interesting market for exhibitors
In the same aisle, the designer Claude Turier and the illustrator David Verdier dedicate their latest comic strip which finds its perfect place in Santa's sack, while the Germanist students of 2of and senior from Rollinat high school, dressed all in red, sell pancakes and German products to finance part of their trip to Ulm in May.
If the stand of the twinning committee, stocked with 400 kg of cold meats, 200 kg of sauerkraut, and 2000 pretzels, sees a lot of people pass through, the EARL Cocchiola, which came from the Gers, sells its foie gras without any problem and its duck-based specialties. “We have been present for more than twenty years, says Cathy, the company manager. It's an interesting market that brings us regulars. »
Rollinat high school students offer pancakes and German products.
© (Photo cor. NR, Jean-Michel Bonnin)
Bruno Caetano comes from less far away, but his pine creations made in his workshop in Jeu-les-Bois, under the name Le petit lutin de bois, are now part of the decor. In addition to the coat racks, name plaques, bedside lamps, decorated with characters that he draws and paints, this year he added night lights that appeal to children.
The rebirth of the Martinelli bakery
This Christmas market finally relays a small miracle, the resumption of activities of the Martinelli bakery, whose oven on rue Gambetta had given up the ghost three months ago. After installing and testing new equipment, the craftsman returned to service, and before the store reopens on Monday, November 25, he is offering his first production of bread and pastries, emphasizing: “It’s a test weekend for us which also allows us to show that we are back. »
Franco-German Christmas market, Argenton-sur-Creuse municipal hall. Free entry from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
