marchand (mar-shan, mar-shand) noun, masculine/feminine
  merchant,
trader; shopkeeper

While my book, Words in a
French Life, has yet to be translated into French, there is a growing number
of français who are reading the vignettes on life, chez eux. Receiving feedback
from Francophone readers…from as far away as Toowoomba… is about as
refreshing as a tall glass of lemonade–garnished with crushed ice and a sprig
of purple lavender–on a lazy summer day. Here’s a recent mèl from a French woman living in
Australia:

Je m’appelle Sylvie, je suis française, originaire des Alpes
de Haute-Provence, d’un petit village à 14 km de Saint-André-les-Alpes, donc pas
très loin de chez vous. Je suis dans une situation similaire à la vôtre, marié à
un australien, vivant en Australie, dans le Queensland et élevant trois enfants
(10, 8 et 2 ans). J’admire la façon dont vous avez embrassé la France et y avez
fait votre place. J’ai découvert votre livre "Words in a French Life" par
hasard, chez un marchand de livres à Toowoomba,le titre m’a de suite attirée et
je suis sortie avec le livre en poche. En le lisant, j’y ai retrouvé les
couleurs et les odeurs de la Provence, c’est formidable. Merci.

My name is Sylvie, I am French, from the Alps of
Haute-Provence, from a little village 14 km from Saint-André-les-Alpes,
therefore not too far from you. I am in a similar situation to you, married to
an Australian, living in Australia, in Queensland, and rearing three children
(10, 8 and 2-years-old). I admire the way in which you have embraced France and
made your place there. I discovered your book "Words in a French Life" by
chance, at a book store in Toowoomba, the title got my attention right away and
I left with the book in my pocket. In reading it, I rediscovered the colors and
odors of Provence; it’s wonderful. Thanks.
Keep up the good
work,
Sylvie

~
Back
to today’s word… and to several terms and expressions:
marchand en gros =
wholesaler
marchand au détail = retailer
marchand d’art = art
dealer
marchand de glace = ice cream vendor
marchand de fromage =
cheesemonger, cheese vendor
marchand de poisson = fishmonger
marchand de
légumes = greengrocer, produce dealer
marchand de canons = arms
dealer
marchand de biens = property agent
marchand ambulant = hawker,
traveling salesman

And a few unusual terms:
marchande d’amour =
"seller of love" (prostitute)
marchand de couleurs = ironmonger
marchand
des quatre saisons = street vendor
marchand de sable = sandman
marchand de
soupe = greasy spoon (restaurant)

And last but not least… un marchand de vin! = wine merchant, vintner