Every day is market day in provence! There are small and large markets in just about every single town or village here in the South of France. Some are only present during the warmer months, and some go all year round. I’ve included here an extensive list of the markets days in Provence. I haven’t included markets that are quite small (such as just a few stands) although they are important to patronise as well. Half of the joy of these is wandering into them by chance.
…In Provence, we have some of the most beautiful markets in the world. Check out my photos from various Provencal markets as well as markets in other parts of France and beyond.
An enormous foodie who has sold stuffed Provencal tomatoes in the markets for 2 years, I'm well acquainted with the best products and sellers. I offer market tours all year round in the towns of Gordes, Saint Remy de Provence, Eygalieres and Isle sur la Sorgue.
Cucuron Tuesday Market
Visit this small market, just 35 minutes from Aix en Provence, as a starting point for visiting hilltop towns in the Luberon National Park.
A Cinematic Setting
You may recognise the beautiful basin of this small Luberon town from the film “A Good Year” starring Russel Crowe. (See the date scene). Every Tuesday, there’s a small market here around the Étang (a rather more glorious version of a pond, I can’t really find an English equivalent). The market is small but includes saucisson (cured meats), olives, produce from local producers and some artisans. The market will have less stalls in winter but still worth a wander even if it’s just an excuse to have lunch, or take a cooking class, as I did a few years ago, at La Petite Maison du Cucuron. These images are from the market in September.
…Provence Market Tours with Curious
Experience Authentic Provence
*2024 update : market tours will now be exclusively available for our guests staying at La Picholine rental or anyone that would like to book a full day or half day photoshoot.
Provence Market Tours at various villages in the Bouches du Rhone region.
Curious about in the ins and outs of working in a market in Provence?
Do you want to taste the best Provencal ingredients and find out how they’re made?
Would you like to meet the market workers?
Book a foodie market tour with me!
Benefit from my Insider Experience
After two years of waking up early, driving to various locations all around Provence, heaving out of the truck gas bottles, setting up wonky tables, sourcing ingredients from the other stalls, making stuffed tomatoes from scratch in blistering hot weather or freezing Mistral wind, learning the hard way all the banter and French slang that comes with such a job, and eventually becoming a seasoned market worker, I’m still in love with markets.
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Saint Remy de Provence in December
This is an ode to Sainy Remy de Provence in December. A love note to streets lined with boutiques and twinkly lights. These photos were taken last week, during the weekend-long Christmas market in Saint Remy. We generally don’t have snow for Christmas, but we have nougat, confit chestnuts, foie gras and lots and lots of very fresh oysters.
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Farmers Cooperative in Coustellet
I recently participated in a cooking class held by Jean Marc Villard of French Cuisine cooking classes in Maubec. Jean Marc, passionate about local produce, started the class by taking us to Naturellement Paysan, the local farmers cooperative in Coustellet. See my article on the gourmet cooking class.
This cooperative is not only amazing if you can’t make it to your nearest Provencal market, it also stocks products that you can only buy directly from the producers such as award-winning saucisson, meats, and cheeses. You can be assured that the animals used to make these products live with dignity and even very happily!
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Visit Beautiful Gordes Market on Tuesdays
Beautiful Gordes Market in Pictures
Gordes, classified as one of the most beautiful villages of France. This famous hilltop town looks out over the Luberon National Park. You feel obligated to stop your car driving into the village as the village is arguably even more beautiful from the outside. The architecture here is similar to the bories village settlements where dry stone dwellings were made from rocks in farming land. You can visit some of these settlements nearby the town. All to say, Gordes Market is worth visiting if you’re in the area.
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Forcalquier Market In Pictures
Forcalquier market is just as beautiful as many other large Provençal markets. It’s in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region and is located close to Valensole. If you vacation around this area, your visit will most likely include the Gorges du Verdon as well. If you’re lucky, you’ll be in this region in July where you’ll see the vast expanses of lavender fields in the Valensole plains with mountains in the distance.
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Provence Artist at the Market: Grigore Dontu
Provence Artist: Grigore Dontu
My favourite provence artist that sells in Provençal markets is undoubtedly Grigore Dontu. This handsome Moldovian is a little camera shy (the mysterious silent type); however, since I see him so often (as I wander the markets so often) we’ve come to know each other. Last year, when my mum visited Provence she wanted an oil painting as a souvenir. I brought her to provence artist Grigore.
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Marchés à Lyon: Croix Rousse
A Love of French Markets
On our recent weekend trip to Lyon, despite the chilly mornings, I dragged my man to just about every market in town. It’s defiantly an obsession. The large market on Croix Rousse blvd, located in the upper part of the city, occurs daily. I was impressed by the level of produce at this Lyonnaise market; there is a mix of typical Provençal deliciousness as well as more rustic strong cheeses and meats from the Alps.
There are about 95 stalls at Croix Rousse on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (6h00-13:30)
and 23 stalls at Croix Rousse on Wednesday and Thursday (6h00-13h00)
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3 Best Farmer’s Markets in Provence
Book a foodie market tour with me!
Curious about in the ins and outs of working in a market in Provence?
Do you want to taste the best Provencal ingredients?
Would you like to eat breakfast at the market with the workers?
Tours are about 2.5 hours in the towns of St Remy de Provence and Eygalières. There’s lots of tasting to be done so come hungry! Tours are private and cost 70€ per person. Send me an email to ask about availabilities. curiousprovence@gmail.com
Paysan/Farmer’s Markets – Marchés Producteurs
The quality of the produce is impressive here in Provence. However, all produce is not created equal. The first year I was here, I grew many of my own vegetables. I later wondered why I went through all that trouble. There are some producer’s markets where farmers sell their pickings from that very morning. How can you tell? They still have a heartbeat. Ok, not really but almost. All I can say is that after 4 years here, I can easily tell which veggies are exceedingly versus very fresh.
I go to these 3 markets when I want to make sure I’m getting the best quality for the best prices. Also, may I point out that these products are cheaper as well as better quality. Many of the stands at farmer’s markets (including cheese and meat) specialise in one product. A Farmer’s market is more of a buy your veggies and leave affair, but I’ve included possible days out as well. Here are 3 of the best farmer’s markets in Provence.
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