When rain and inflation come to the traditional May 6th fair in Millau

Le long des boulevards, chalands et badauds pour la foire du 6 mai. Midi Libre Millau – Laura Vaillant

The traditional May 6 fair in Millau took its time to get going. Rain and finances oblige.

Empty bags and open umbrellas. This is the image of the traditional fair on May 6. It took place this Monday in the streets of the city of the glove. A day that traders would have preferred sunny. As for visitors, there are no crowds. Weather and condition of the wallet in question.

At the end of the morning, traders set up their stands. And this, a few hours after the launch of the event. "Many of them waited for the rain to pass", explains Philippe who runs a jewelry stand on the boulevard by Bonald. Along the avenues de la République and l’Ayrolle, at 11 a.m., the fairgrounds are still setting up the tables and positioning their products. And for good reason, the showers followed one another leaving visitors and sellers doubtful about the rest of the day.

The rain came. Midi Libre Millau – Laura Vaillant

Preserve your wallet

Place de La Capelle, it’s not joyful either. "I haven't sold anything since this morning", says this candy seller. Millavois and people passing through stroll along the stands, and rarely stop. A few curious looks sometimes, but not enough to take the plunge. "I'm not going to have any use for it", estimates this passer-by in front of a vegetable cutter, before hitting the road again.

"Before I sold watches for 5 euros. My supplier increased his prices, so a year ago I increased mine to 8 euros. And in Millau and even in Lunel, we quickly had comments from surprised customers." It must be said that for Philippe, coming from Lunel represents a certain cost, particularly mileage, which he must amortize. So any savings are good to make, up to and including changing wholesalers for certain products and turning to the internet for similar and less expensive merchandise.

Due to inflation, prices have increased for some. Midi Libre Millau – Laura Vaillant

Philippe, a showman since 1998 and a regular at the Millau fair since 2000, has seen the change take place. Especially in recent years. "The Internet got us into it", he explains, referring to the prices that certain sites offer for equivalent products. "We have to go back to basics and support small traders", says a seller of gold-plated jewelry on Boulevard de la Capelle. Barges and onlookers can already hope for better weather for May 17, the date of the rental fair.