A Local Taste of Europe: The Casel Marché

I miss France.

I miss waking up at the crack of dawn and walking to the boulangerie; standing at the window as the baker placed the croissants in front of me, arranged the baguettes in a basket, and stacked the rolls on a worn wooden shelf…

My mouth would water in anticipation of my breakfast — a fresh croissant and an espresso — and my stomach would grumble with excitement… un arôme magnifique.

I miss walking to the local bistro; indulging in rich French dishes, sipping ice-cold glasses of Pastis, and taking hours to linger over meals while engaging in conversations flecked with more languages than I know.

Most of all, I miss the markets. The ripe produce, the sometimes too-fresh meat (live rabbit, anyone?), the still-warm bread — it’s impossible to find anything like that here, in Calgary.

Let me rephrase that: it was impossible.

Thanks to the Casel Marché, which officially opened for business on June 9th, Calgarians have the chance to have a truly French market experience, right in the middle of the city.

Created by the Niklas Group, the Casel Marché is a collection and a celebration of some of Calgary’s best in the fields of food and wine. This group of like-minded entrepreneurs has been working together for a very long time to take the project from vision to reality, and now you can experience it for yourself.

Stop by and grab a bottle of wine at J.Webb, enjoy a pastry made by Yann Blanchard at Vie, savour a French dish at Cassis Bistro, and pick up fresh produce and meat products from Blush Lane and Sunworks at Market 17. Don’t forget to buy a beautiful bouquet from In Bloom on your way out.

The European-style market is located on the corner of 17th Avenue and 24th Street SW, just off of Crowchild Trail; also, there is ample free parking both on the street and underground (enter on the west side of the building).

One of the big things that separates the Casel Marché from other markets in the city is the fact that they’re open seven days a week, year round. Its location also makes it ideal for people from all over the city to come and visit.

It’s the perfect place to spend a day, connect with friends, and truly enjoy and appreciate your food.

Get your own taste of France this Saturday, June 11th, at the Casel Marché Grand Opening and Neighborhood BBQ from 11:00am to 2:00pm. Stop by and enjoy some delicious samplings and meet the people who made this long-awaited market possible.

Bon appétit!