La Place du Marché - Bastia - France
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member Alfouine
N 42° 41.832 E 009° 27.048
32T E 536923 N 4727289
Le nom de "Mercà" est une apocope du mot "mercatu", signifiant "marché". C'était jadis un endroit très animé de la ville. Aujourd'hui, le marché est toujours organisé tous les week-ends. Magnifique place avec une très belle fontaine.
Waymark Code: WM14F70
Location: Corse, France
Date Posted: 06/27/2021
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member NW_history_buff
Views: 1

The name "Mercà" is an apocope of the word "mercatu", meaning "market". It was once a very lively place in the city. Nowadays, the market is still organized every weekend. Beautiful square with a very nice fountain.


La place du marché

Credits

Chaque week-end ce lieu retrouve son âme d'antan : producteurs, maraîchers et fleuristes se réapproprient l'espace et proposent aux visiteurs un voyage mêlant fragrances et saveurs régionales (coppa, lonzu, figatellu, beignets, fromages, canistrelli, ect...).
A mi-chemin entre la place Saint Nicolas et le Vieux-Port, la place du marché, appelée « u mercà » par les Bastiais, est sans nul doute l’un des quartiers les plus pittoresques de la ville.

Cette jolie place bordée de platanes, offre un accès direct à l’église Saint Jean-Baptiste, et attire depuis quelques années de plus en plus de jeunes familles désireuses de profiter des avantages de la vie citadine tout en retrouvant l’esprit « village ». Ici, toutes les générations se confondent, toutes les classes sociales vivent au rythme de ce quartier haut en couleur : enfants du quartier, habitants de toujours et nouveaux arrivants …tous profitent ici de l’art de vivre à la bastiaise.

Siège de l’ancien hôtel de ville, la place du marché compte de nombreux cafés et restaurants devenus le lieu de rendez-vous de la jeunesse bastiaise à l’approche du week-end. Aux beaux jours, les terrasses s’animent redonnant au lieu, un nouveau souffle de vie et la place vibre aux sons de groupes musicaux proposant chants corses, pop’rock, ou variété.

Si durant la semaine, les matinées se veulent calmes, les samedis et dimanches, la place du marché accueille de nombreux visiteurs, locaux mais également touristes venus faire leurs emplettes et découvrir les saveurs des produits régionaux proposés par les nombreux producteurs venus des villages alentours. Nombreux sont ceux, qui profitent de l’occasion pour prendre en petit déjeuner au soleil ou un apéritif accompagné de charcuterie et fromages du pays, alors que les plus jeunes apprécient les multiples parfums proposés par les glaciers du quartier.

Lors des fêtes de fin d’année, la place abrite un marché de Noël traditionnel, « U Mercà di Natale », regroupant durant plusieurs jours artisans, producteurs, créateurs, et groupes corses.

Autrefois nommée place du théâtre, l’endroit accueillait en son centre le Théâtre Marbeuf construit à la fin du XVIIIe siècle. Ce n’est qu’en 1881 qu’on le démoli créant ainsi cette esplanade unique, aujourd’hui agrémentée d’une fontaine de pierre ornée d’une « Naïade » de marbre blanc, œuvre du sculpteur Pierre Pardon.


The market place

Every weekend this place finds its soul of yesteryear: producers, market gardeners and florists reappropriate the space and offer visitors a journey mixing fragrances and regional flavors (coppa, lonzu, figatellu, doughnuts, cheeses, canistrelli, ect...).
Halfway between the Saint Nicolas square and the Old Port, the market place, called "u mercà" by the Bastians, is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque districts of the city.

This pretty square, lined with plane trees, offers direct access to the church of Saint Jean-Baptiste, and has been attracting more and more young families over the past few years, who want to enjoy the advantages of city life while rediscovering the "village" spirit. Here, all generations blend together, all social classes live to the rhythm of this colorful neighborhood: local children, long-time residents and newcomers ... all enjoy the Bastiese art of living.

Seat of the old city hall, the market place has many cafes and restaurants that have become the meeting place of Bastia's youth at the approach of the weekend. On sunny days, the terraces come alive, giving the place a new lease of life and the square vibrates to the sounds of musical groups offering Corsican songs, pop'rock, or variety.

If during the week, the mornings are quiet, Saturdays and Sundays, the market place welcomes many visitors, locals but also tourists who come to shop and discover the flavors of regional products offered by the many producers from surrounding villages. Many people take the opportunity to have a breakfast in the sun or an aperitif accompanied by local cold cuts and cheeses, while the youngest appreciate the many flavors offered by the local ice cream shops.

During the end of the year celebrations, the square hosts a traditional Christmas market, "U Mercà di Natale", which brings together craftsmen, producers, designers and Corsican groups for several days.

Formerly named Place du Théâtre, the place hosted in its center the Marbeuf Theater built at the end of the 18th century. It was only in 1881 that it was demolished, thus creating this unique esplanade, today adorned with a stone fountain decorated with a white marble "Naiad", the work of sculptor Pierre Pardon.

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The "Official Tourism" URL link to the attraction: [Web Link]

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Approximate amount of time needed to fully experience the attraction: Up to 1 hour

Transportation options to the attraction: Personal Vehicle or Public Transportation

Hours of Operation: Not listed

Admission Prices: Not listed

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