An Epicurean’s paradise! A true temple for taste buds, an establishment for discerning eaters and a cornucopia of flavours and tastes, the Halles de Pau, inaugurated in October last year, are a symbol of gastronomic excellence. Here in the new buildings entirely redesigned and refurbished by architects Philippe Ameller and Jacques Dubois, lies the city’s nerve centre for food lovers. Behind the modern glass frontage lie some real gourmet gems: Cave Thou, Constanti, La ferme de Montagut, Junqua, Garg’Antoine, La Fromagerie Alexandre, Carrasco… Blossom went to visit seven ‘must-see’ boutiques, run by people who sublimate the senses and nurture excellence. Let’s go meet them.

Thou wine cellars

A dynamic duo runs this wine cellar and bar in the Halles – Frédéric, “with his die-hard ways of an old hand”, likes to say that he’s gone from being a mean predator swimming in the troubled waters of the major retail sector to a cute little fish shuttling among talented freelance wine-growers. Working alongside him in the new Halles is Marie, his energetic sidekick, “a young thirtysomething with a fresh perspective on things” who studied oenology, has worked for a local label and knows a lot about the different wines available. In this treasure trove of 4,000 bottles and 800 references where prestigious names (Duband, Pinard, Bessin) rub shoulders with the smaller newcomers (Amirault, Saladin, Léon Boesch), the sorcerer and his apprentice are constantly adjusting and fine-tuning the choice of their elixirs to make sure that they hit home. “We’ve got a great range of Italian wines and an increasing number of organic wines too at very competitive prices.” Over the next few months, the Thou wine cellars will be bringing in more “alternative” vintages; refined and delicate French grape varieties. “We like to surprise and wrong-foot our customers!” proclaims Frédéric from behind the bar, which also serves platters of cheese from Alexandre’s and cooked meats from Junqua – a perfect excuse for tasting the wines on sale.