The Rodez Christmas Market, set against the backdrop of seemingly unyielding weather, has once again drawn local residents and visitors alike to its festive atmosphere. Running from December 13 to December 24 this year, the market took place at the newly relocated Place Foch, which some vendors felt offered them more enchantment than its previous location at Saint-Etienne intersection.
Despite the magical ambiance, the weather inflicted challenges on attendance levels, provoking mixed feelings among exhibitors and attendees. Alain Blanchet, one of the market's vendors, expressed optimism, stating, "The weather wasn’t with us unfortunately, but it was very good, the results are the same as previous years." For him, participating again next year would be no question. Disappointment did, nonetheless, linger for others.
Caroline Pelon, who has been crafting soaps for eight years at the market, noted this was her least profitable year. "People were walking around, but I didn’t see my usual clientele," she lamented. Highlighting the disconnect between expected and actual attendee traffic, Pelon emphasized the confusion caused by the market's opening times, where only some stalls were ready by the advertised hour, leading to negative perceptions of the event.
While weather may have deterred several attendees, the Christmas market retained its charm for those willing to venture out. Some vendors, like Cristel Chapelle, selling gemstone jewelry, advocated for directional changes to draw foot traffic. Chapelle suggested, "A circular layout would have helped guide people past all the stalls rather than wandering too far. Instead of focusing exclusively on sales, people were leisurely exploring." This observation pointed to shifting patterns of shopping behavior as people engaged with the festive environment.
Despite the challenges, many attendees still enjoyed their experience at the market. Some locals appreciated the picturesque charm of the new site, reinforcing the idea of Rodez's Christmas market as feeling more like and resembling village festivities. Fabienne Laville, who sells saffron, expressed satisfaction with her inaugural year there, mentioning she met her sales goals and longed for improved communication about the market's new location.
Unfortunately, not everyone shared the same sentiment. Marie-Bernadette Maillot, selling escargot, reported the market lacked covered dining spaces, which could improve the experience during adverse weather conditions. Further emphasizing logistical challenges, vendors like her expressed desires for improved parking solutions, making access easier for families and patrons alike.
On the morning of December 25, market participants and attendees turned their attention to the weather forecast, which promised mixed conditions for the holiday festivities. According to Météo France, areas including Villefranche and Rodez were warned of morning fog. Other regions would see clear skies and mild temperatures, allowing for outdoor celebrations, with highs around 12°C expected.
Even as the market closed its ten-day run, it left behind memories of seasonal joy and festive discussions among merchants eager to return next year. A few vendors were left dreaming of improvements to layout and communication to entice more visitors. Considering this year’s market strived to capture the holiday spirit amid weather challenges, the spirit of celebration undeniably prevailed.
