French market and a french abbey – our house swap continues

On holidays a highlight for me is always a visit to a local market.  This morning we visited the market in Soissons.

 The array of fresh fruit and vegetables, and they way they are displayed is wonderful. 
 

 
We purchased some fruit (strawberries, raspberries, nectarines and melon) and some vegetables (broccoli, leeks and yellow courgettes) – with some french, some pointing, and the stall holders usually handed us the printed receipt so we knew how much it would cost!

 I was tempted by these baskets, but did not succumb!

We then went for a wander in search of the St Jean Abbey, an amazing building – partly preserved/restored and mostly in ruins.  

This part was originally the front of the Abbey, and is now basically free standing.

This was the refectory
 

And of course a floor photo!
 

And underneath the cellars.
 

Not sure the kids appreciated the sense of history, and were glad when we returned to the centre of the town for lunch in a cafe.

A few more photos …..
 

This evening we are all enjoying the table tennis table on the patio at our french house swap home. Still cloudy and cool, but at least is is dry!

What has been the most historic or impressive building you have visited?

Hope your July is going well, whatever you are up to.