It’s hard to talk when your mouth is full of yummy, sugar free dark chocolate spread! I can’t get enough of the ‘Paté a Tartiner sans sucre’. Perfect to spread on toast, writes Susan Gish. I stood there and watched Christophe, my confiture guy at the market – for about an hour. He was jammin’, haha, but I did manage to talk to him in between customers. He is so charming, friendly, and passionate about his product. He smiles all the time. He really enjoys talking to every single person. Children, older people. Those from Aix and tourists from all over.
Christophe starts in French offering a taste, asks where you are from and then immediately breaks into English if needed.
He is genuinely interested in sharing and tasting. I saw him sample a few different products along with his customers and talk about the tastes with them. Can you taste the basil in with the strawberries? The lavender with the orange?
He makes everyone smile and definitely makes everyone feel special.
Stop by and taste!
Cerise Noire (my favorite), Clementines de Corse, Mures Sauvages, Myrtilles Sauvages (close to blueberries), Cassis, Framboises, Framboises Rhubarbes, Fraises, Fraises Basilic (wow), Oranges a la Lavande (wow encore), Melons de Cavaillon, Peches au Thym, 3 Agrumes. There’s savory too: Artichaut with tomatos sechées, Chutneys, Confit d’olives noire…
All the fruit is sourced from producteurs (local farmers) mainly in Provence and the Alps. Fabrication artisinale & familiale by 2 brothers – in L’isle sur la Sorgue. (with the exception of the oranges which are not grown in Provence). All are sans conservateurs.
I should mention that Christophe studied business and human resources in university and worked as a child educator previously. Now, he has a special love for working at the Aix market “because it is vivant”. P.S. If he’s not busy he helps me with my French. C’est bon ca!
Christophe is in places Precheurs Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays and in Place Richelme Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
—Susan & Sam Gish
aixcentric 
Great post! He is mine and my family’s confiture guy, too! He’s so friendly – always offering my 4 yr old daughter some free samples. We love the “fraise” and “myrtille sauvage”.
It’s great, he’s so friendly to everyone!
Aix is so lucky to have these local producers. Thanks!
Oh we agree, Lynne & Susan – Christophe is always a bright spot in the market!
Indeed he is, Anne!