Provence Products (Overview)
There are many items unique to the Provence, such as tablecloths and fabrics printed with traditional colors and patterns that date back for hundreds of years. You can find matching table accessories including napkins, place mats, runners as well as bread baskets. The Provence is famous for its bath essentials and fragrances, including scented and hard milled soaps, shea butter, hand creams, bath salts and linen water. Santon Dolls have been hand crafted in the region since the 17th century and there are some wonderful ceramics to be bought. It is worthwhile to buy some cold pressed extra virgin olive oil directly from the oil mill to take back home. Their best quality olive oil is less expensive than what you get for a much lower quality back home in the US, UK or Australia. Let's not forget the items for the sweet tooth, the famous nougat, the candied fruits, jams, lavender honey and quince pastes.
You can buy most of these products visiting typical Provençal markets. The most extensive collection of table linens, fabrics, toiletries and pottery can be found on the markets in l'Isle sur la Sorgue (Sunday morning), Vaison-la-Romaine (Tuesday), Carpentras (Friday) or the markets in Aix en Provence (every day but in different locations).
All stores in our listing have been checked out by us or collaborators. Our listings are free of charge and we welcome to get your feedback.
We have separate web pages for the following topics:
- Provence Markets
- Provençal Fabrics
- Lavender & Aromathology
- Olives, Olive Oil, Tapenade, etc.
- Santons
- Sweets & Confitures
- Truffles
Many of the above products with the exception of truffles can be bought at what we call the Provence Stores. They specialize in Provence products and normally carry a selection of typical Provençal ceramics and pottery, linens, tablecloths, place mats, baskets, santons, essences, perfumes, soaps and aromathology. Many of them are run of the mill tourist shops, but there are quite a number of "serious" stores, which carry a tasteful collection of these Provençal items. We list below Provence stores we like in the region we cover, the area between Aix en Provence, Arles and up north to Vaison la Romaine.
L'Esprit des Lieux in Aix en Provence. Authentic Provence products, like table accessoires and fabrics, good quality, ideal store to get your gifts. 10, Rue Gaston de Saporta, Aix en Provence, Tel: 04 42 21 20 74
La Compagnie de Provence in Aix en Provence. Wonderful store for traditional Provence products, especially soaps, bath essentials and fragrances. Prices are reasonable, service is friendly and products are nicely packaged. (63, rue des Cordelieres, Aix en Provence, Tel: 04 42 27 37 41)
L'Atelier du Sage en Provence with stores in a number of towns in the region (check store location on their website). They have a good selection of ceramics, table linens and accessories, but also carry the Durance en Provence line of cosmetics, home perfumes and aromathology.
Reflet de Provence in Nyons. The shop is on a small square in the Ville Ancienne of Nyons. We like their selection of quality Provençal linens, tablecloths, napkins, ceramics and essences. Place F.Autiero, 26110 Nyons,Tel: 04 75 26 26 00
La Farandole in Vaison-la-Romaine. They carry a good collection of Provence items, including Santons. 6 Ave Général de Gaulle, Vaison-la-Romaine, Tel: 04 90 36 28 02
