Unobtrusively installed beside a big park, right at the corner of chemin du Village and the rue du Couvent, the Mont-Tremblant summer market stalls are aligned under their green roofs as they await their customers, many of whom arrive in midmorning.

There’s new lighting and a new wide-open view of the lake thanks to the razing in the spring of the old set of buildings that were the Auberge La Porte rouge, now a memory for the people of Mont-Tremblant Masks are worn, and arrows mark which direction to walk.

The sun is shining, and the merchants greet the visitors, excited to get the trading underway. They put their merchandise out and replace what is purchased, proudly wearing their official aprons. Geneviève, who sells vegetables, notes that the municipality provides fine support: bags, stalls, tables and electricity. She also explains the sharing among stalls that allows one merchant to offer the products of several neighbouring producers.

The municipality is putting the finishing touches on a project, expected to be ready for next year, which will improve the market. City councillor Pascal De Bellefeuille explains with voluble enthusiasm that “the City intends to build a big covered courtyard to shelter the merchants. A structure with rafters, which echoes the shelter of the old railway station art gallery, will be reminiscent of the ‘30s and of European markets. The goal is to highlight locally produced foodstuffs and housewares,” he explains.

Here in the stalls you’ll find organic bread, seasonal fruits and vegetables, cutting boards, ceramics, aprons and tablecloths. There is also charcuterie – deli meats – sushi, nut butters, oils and herbal teas. Products made by craftspersons who don’t always have a store.

Why come to the market? Monique, from La Conception, comes mainly to find birthday gifts. Sylvie, from Saint-Jovite, recognizes “the quality of these products made with love which keep a tradition alive. Products you don’t find in the big stores.”

The market runs on Saturdays from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. until September 11. The list of merchants is available on the Ville de Mont-Tremblant website, although not all those listed are there every week.

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