Markets of Provence

The marchés in France are generally open air markets, a place to shop for your fresh groceries. We prefer to buy meat, fish and produce there rather than in the supermarkets. The marchés are fabulous, free entertainment, good for shopping and for people watching. Sit in one of the cafés next to a market and while away the morning. The Provence has probably the best markets in France. Here is a practical guide as to where, when and what. Most open air markets are farmers markets, a retail market where you can buy vegetables, fruits, cheeses, meat and poultry, sausages, spices, candied fruits, nougat and flowers. The larger Marché Provençal offers all of the farmers markets' products plus clothing, shoes, linens, pottery and many other useful and not so useful Provence knickknacks.

Here are our favourite markets (in alphabetical order):

1. Aix en Provence, the various markets are well integrated into the historic town, great place to sit and watch.
2. Carpentras, one of the largest in France and in existence since 1155. Huge, bustling, wonderful! If you don't find what you need here then what?
3. l'Isle sur la Sorgue, visit the Sunday morning Provençal market, the over 300 antique shops and the many itinerant brocantes (selling not so old antiques).
4. Nice, a colorful array of markets, the fish market, old books market, the farmers market and the most famous of all, the Marché aux Fleurs, the flower and produce market.
5. Vaison la Romaine, huge Provençal market, one of the best places to shop for Provence bric-a-bracs.

Now, here is the list of the markets in the Provence - to the best of our knowledge, no guarantees.

Our top choices:

Other markets we recommend:

If we only mention the market day next to the location, then it is a regular open air farmers market.

last updated: January 28, 2013Posted by Editor of Provence-Hideaways | Filed under: Shopping