A local vintage..
Hillsides, plenty of sunshine and proximity to the capital as the main outlet: for centuries, winegrowing has been one of the region's main products. Thousands of bottles of a small white wine have been produced here for centuries. Ermont, Saint-Leu-la-Forêt and Sannois, for example, had several hundred hectares of vineyards, employing a large workforce. Unfortunately, it was at the dawn of the 20th century that these crops suddenly disappeared. There were many reasons for this: the development of transport meant that other, higher-quality crus (Burgundy, Bordeaux) had easier access to the Paris market. In addition, certain diseases, such as phylloxera, severely affected the vines. Finally, the expansion of the Paris conurbation was beginning to eat away at the land, and the space dedicated to vines was disappearing. But this was without the passion of many locals, supported by the determination of local authorities to revive this piece of heritage. While a few small vines have stood the test of time, others have been planted, like these 2,000 vines in Sannois, tended by the commune's agents some twenty years ago. So, why not bring home a bottle of local wine? You'll be able to get your hands on some, especially at the grape harvest festivals held in several towns in the Agglomération, or at the various wine fairs. These wines are, of course, best consumed in moderation, but the tasting should pleasantly surprise you.
... or a gourmet product?
Local gourmet produce is surprisingly plentiful: here you'll find vegetables from the market-garden plain, beer and honey. At the same time, there's no shortage of places and events where you can pick up great products to enjoy! Take, for example, the local gastronomic fair "Le Goût du Terroir Val Parisis", held every year in one of the region's communes: local craftsmen and retailers (patisseries, bakeries, wine shops, fruit and vegetables) get together on a Saturday in September. Similarly, the Fête du Printemps in Bessancourt in March is a gastronomic celebration of the arrival of fine weather: an opportunity to stock up on good, mostly local produce. In the same vein, but on a permanent basis, Bessancourt is home to a large number of quality shops, including cheese dairies, greengrocers, meat and fish shops. Another local speciality is that many of the region's communes offer local markets, some of which are located in dedicated covered markets.
Handcrafted creations
You'll also be able to discover original creations by local artisans: here, these unique products are available in several dedicated stores, providing you with great gift ideas, or simply to treat yourself! In this spirit, don't hesitate to push open the door of Local Saint-Leu. In addition to a few gourmet products, you'll find ceramics, jewelry, clothing, embroidery and leather goods. Every time you come here, you'll be surprised, because the designers (mostly from the local area, sometimes from further afield) exhibit here on a temporary basis, and are regularly renewed. Local crafts are also featured in the "Aux Bonnes Créations" boutique, opened by the town of Eaubonne! The credo of this temporary sales outlet is to offer only local products: decoration, ready-to-wear, jewelry and fashion accessories make up the wide range on offer. The alternating principle is the same, with exhibitors changing from time to time. Last but not least, there's another unusual venue in Herblay-sur-Seine: l'Art'Blaysienne. Here you'll find some twenty local brands in a wide range of fields, some of them unexpected. Here, you'll find ethical products: their production is environmentally friendly, craftsmanship is the rule, and raw materials are carefully sourced. Over time - because, here too, designers are only here for a limited time, before making way for other talented colleagues - you'll discover products from a wide range of skills: florists, glassmakers, soapmakers, sewers, jewellers, embroiderers and even woodworkers are just some of the possibilities.
And why not a work of art?
More original, bringing home a real work of art doesn't seem impossible. A land of Impressionism, the Val Parisis conurbation has many events dedicated to painting. The Salon des Beaux-Arts in Cormeilles-en-Parisis, the Journée des Peintres in La Frette-sur-Seine, the Salon des Arts et des Peintres in Beauchamp, the festival De la Couleur dans la Ville in Beauchamp, the Fête de la Peinture in Montigny-lès-Cormeilles and the annual La Palette exhibition in Franconville are just some of the many events where you can meet artists. Some of them take advantage of these events to create, and let you admire their works: an opportunity to get in touch for a next purchase or, if some works are exhibited and you've fallen in love with one of them, to buy one for yourself!
Shopping destination
These aren't the most traditional of products you'll be able to buy here, but we don't have to remind you that the area is also a popular shopping destination: the various shopping areas, starting with La Patte d'Oie in Herblay-sur-Seine, boast hundreds of brands, covering every need and every desire. Most of the major brands are present, and here you'll find several opportunities to discover the boutiques of a designer shopping center and benefit from relatively low prices on brand-name clothing.
