Diego market: a user’s guide

Spices, vanilla, ylang-ylang, lambas: navigating the North’s great bazaar like a regular.

Diego's central market opens before the sun and never really sleeps. A few keys to enjoy it:

• Timing: 7-9am for fruit and fish, late afternoon for atmosphere
• Spices: SAVA vanilla, wild voatsiperifery pepper, fresh turmeric — taste before buying, that's the game
• Bargaining: courteous and smiling, never aggressive; a third off is honourable
• Lambas: the traditional cloths make the best useful souvenirs

Our guides have their habits there (and favourite stallholders) — ask for the backstage tour. Our office at 32 Rue Colbert is steps away.