“We have a sense of a job well done”

You have worked in the markets since 1967. In sixty years, how have they evolved?

When I started, markets were a family affair: children followed their parents. But in the 1980s, they turned away from it. With the rise of mass distribution, the outdoor market seemed more rustic, less noble.

However, our image improved at the end of the 1990s, with the arrival of new waves of immigrant traders, bringing great cultural diversity. During Covid, we were able to maintain our activity and provide a barrier against isolation. We emerged stronger from the crisis.

What makes this activity unique?

Our profession has existed since the dawn of time! And we have a sense of a job well done. The stalls are out at 6 a.m. Above all, the market is a powerful vector of social ties. Here, people meet and exchange, beyond the mercantile aspect. It is an essential activity in a society that is retreating into the home and screens. Our customers are loyal and come back almost every week. We are a world attached to its habits and its friendships, which must be preserved.

Are French markets threatened?

Fortunately not, because it is an institution; but their future depends largely on the decisions of the mayors, responsible for ensuring its smooth running. In rare cases, some choices can be terrible. If we are far from city centers, bars and shops, we lose a lot of turnover.

A law also plans to eliminate parking spaces in town. This is not negative, but everything will depend on the modalities. During municipal elections, these arbitrations are important. The vitality of our city center businesses is at stake.