Get a taste of France in a Geneva market

You can pretend you're in Paris every Sunday in Geneva, as the French Market officially returns.

And you can sleep in a little later, since the market will not open until 9 a.m.

"We think it will be a really great season out there," said Leslie Cahill, who manages the market for Bensidoun USA, the owner.

The market had a "soft" unadvertised opening last week. It features produce, flowers, baked goods, clothing, home décor items and more, in the northwest corner of the public parking lot at Fourth and South streets. That's a little farther to the west than it was last year, a move made necessary by the construction at Dodson Place near the east side of the parking lot.

The starting hour was changed at the request of nearby residents, who complained that the noise of vendors setting up their stalls two hours beforehand woke them up. It closes at 2 p.m.

A popular seller of French linens is returning -- and besides selling tablecloths, he is going to dish up paella, Cahill said.

One of the new vendors is Gloria's Finest, selling meats and eggs, as well as cheeses and pickles. Gloria Hoffer and her husband, Don, have been popular vendors at a variety of farmers markets in the area, particularly for their pork products. They raise their animals without using antibiotics.

There are 44 vendors signed up, four more than last year. And in the new spot, Bensidoun had room to make the aisles wider.

"I think it actually looks prettier," Cahill said.

Bensidoun USA is a subsidiary of a French company that has been running public markets in France for more than 40 years. It also runs French Markets in Lisle, Mokena, Wheaton, Glencoe, Villa Park and Chicago. Geneva's market runs through Oct. 26.