The colourful stalls at Swiss markets

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The market on Bürkliplatz, a small open square close to the lakeshore in Zurich Anne Gabriel-Jürgens/13photo

At a market in Lucerne with the Jesuit Church of Lucerne in the background Anne Gabriel-Jürgens/13photo

The Lucerne market near the bridge, Kappelbrücke Anne Gabriel-Jürgens/13photo

A market in Carouge, Geneva Anne Gabriel-Jürgens/13photo

Another market in Lucerne's old town Anne Gabriel-Jürgens/13photo

Fresh produce at the market inside the main hall of Zurich's railway station Anne Gabriel-Jürgens/13photo

A market at Bürkliplatz in Zürich Anne Gabriel-Jürgens/13photo

Bürkliplatz Anne Gabriel-Jürgens/13photo

There's something for everyone at the Carouge market Anne Gabriel-Jürgens/13photo

Tasting is encouraged at the Carouge market Anne Gabriel-Jürgens/13photo

Back at Zurich's Bürkliplatz Anne Gabriel-Jürgens/13photo

Shoppers have their pick of flowers Anne Gabriel-Jürgens/13photo

Mmmm for Lucerne's market mushrooms Anne Gabriel-Jürgens/13photo

At the Carouge market, the line between food and flower is a fine one Anne Gabriel-Jürgens/13photo

Bright colours are the order of the day in Carouge Anne Gabriel-Jürgens/13photo

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Warm weather draws people out of their homes and down to the squares of their towns and villages for the weekly market, a place where flowers, fruit, vegetables and much more are on offer.

Whether it’s organic fruit or traditional produce, rare species, flowers and seedlings, fish or various breads, there is a vast and colourful array. Unlike the supermarkets, the farmers don’t just offer a few varieties of apples, but a big selection with names hardly anyone knows. Here you see that an apple is not just an apple.

Weekly markets of seasonal produce have a long tradition in Switzerland, as elsewhere. In cities like Lucerne, Bern, Zurich and in Carouge near Geneva, life would be unimaginable without them. Markets are also often a common photo subject for tourists.

At the weekly market, it’s about more than just picking up some groceries – these are sociable places where people meet up, say hello, stop for a chat. Here, you can both see and be seen.

(Photos: Anne Gabriel-Jürgens/13PhotoExternal link, Text: Gaby Ochsenbein/swissinfo.ch)