Festivals and Events Archives

A collection of my favourite Provencal festivals and events that happen throughout the year in Provence.

Festive Events This Weekend in Provence

December 8, 2023 by ashleyt 2 Comments

Christmas markets, ateliers, parades, antiques and more. Support your local creatives and bask in the festive ambiance of the holiday season.

There are a lot of festive events happening this weekend in Provence, here is just a smattering.

In addition to theses events, it is the Téléthon this weekend; things will be very lively despite the chilly weather. The Téléthon is a country-wide annual fundraiser for rare diseases. Many villages and towns organise local-specific events. I remember the first time that we ate Soupe au Pistou it was at long tables set up in the square of Maussane surrounded by locals dressed in traditional costume. It was such a memorable event and made us feel like part of the community.

Please forgive the Franglais / Fringlish nature of this text but any of you in town to attend with events will most likely understand !

festive events in provence with ateliers

December 8-10 Events in Provence

Marché de Noél Hotel Mirande (Avignon)
Beautiful Christmas market in this historic hotel with a focus on handmade objects as well as ateliers. I’ve been going for years. See you there?
Vendredi 8 décembre : soirée d’ouverture à partir de 18h
Samedi 9 décembre : de 11h à 23h
Dimanche 10 décembre : de 11h à 18h

Faire Christmas Market at La Maison Dora Maar

25 creatives, artists and artisans from Provence and beyond at this artist residence in Menerbes, Luberon.
8-10 December
samedi 10h-20h
dimanche 10h-18h

Mas de Chabran (Maussane-les-Alpilles)
Ateliers including Christmas wreath making, cooking classes, musical aperitifs, gastronomic dinners and more at the stunning property. Christmas market 11-17h Friday, Saturday and Sunday this week and next.

Fête des Lumières à Saint Remy de Provence

« La Fête des commerçants »
From 6pm the boutiques of Saint Remy will be open late into the evening, some with live music and mulled wine. Wander the lit-up streets in the evening and soak up the ambiance.
Evening December 9th

(The Christmas market for Saint Remy is next weekend. Le Petit Marché du Gros Souper – du 15 au 17 décembre
Marché de Noël de 10h à 19h sur la Place de la Mairie.(à partir de 16h le vendredi))

Marché de Noël – Maussane-les-Alpilles

Marché de Noël du 8 au 10 décembre
Grande parade de Noël le 10 décembre (11h)
Concours de crèche du 8 décembre au 8 janvier
Illuminations du village et feu d’artifices le 8 décembre
Dégustation de l’huile nouvelle le 10 décembre

Marché de Noël des Créateurs au Château Henri Bonnaud
Artisan market at a winery close to Aix en Provence
December 8-10

Marché de Noel – Saint Martin de Crau
Outdoor village market including local vendors
9 & 10 December

Aix en Provence Christmas market is all month.

Marché de Noël à Lambesc
9-10 décembre

Marché de Noël à Pélissanne
8-10 December

Marché de Noël au Sentiers de l’Abondance à Eygalières
Local producers and artisans including ateliers in these gardens in the Alpilles

Chalets dans les rues du village à Noves
10 December

Belle Brocante à Fontvieille
Antiques market
10 December

Marché de Noël à Graveson
Outdoor village Christmas market with 40 stands, an ice rink for the kids and more.
7-10 December

In addition to markets there are many local boutiques at wineries etc that have transformed themselves into Christmas glory such as this boutique at Domaine de Valdition in Eygalières.

Profite bien et bon weekend !

Please feel free to add other events in the comments below.

Le Temps Retrouvé Heritage Festival in Les Alpilles

March 5, 2020 by ashleyt Leave a Comment

Le Fête du Temps Retrouvé can be badly translated as a festival of “time regained” or “time found again.” Essentially, it’s a festival that aims to transport you back to a bygone area that celebrates village community, savoir-faire (craftsmanship) and recreates the atmosphere of the previous century.

This heritage festival occurs every year at the end of August in the town of Maussane-les-Alpilles. I have to say that it’s one of my favourite festivals. It’s usually on the last Sunday of the month. If you miss it, there is also a similar festival called Journée à l’Ancienne in Eygalières in the Autumn.

Le Temps Rétrouvé is mostly on the Main Street in Maussane-les-Alpilles where you’ll find all the stores have stands in front of them celebrating traditional craftsmanship. For example, even the hairdresser is dressed in vintage clothes and has a display of beautiful vintage scissors and shaving implements. You can easily spend the day wandering the stalls, having a pastis at the local café and people watching. See end of article for more festivals in Provence.

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December Events in Provence 2019

November 30, 2019 by ashleyt Leave a Comment

saint Remy de Provence in December — Saint Remy de Provence Christmas Market

2020 update: Some of these events are happening this year, some are not. You can check on a case by case basis or send me an email.

Although Christmas in Provence is not quite the same as it is in Alsace there are plenty of markets and festive activities to attend Provence-style. Many of the artisan markets are small and held at vineyards or hotels so its can be tricky to find out about them if you don’t go every year. I personally think the inspiration for gifts are more interesting and unique at these markets not to mention you’re supporting local artisans. If none of these are close to you don’t worry! Just about every town in Provence has its own little Christmas market. There’s even a website where you can find out the dates of all the Christmas markets in France. Or another, Noel.org. Of course, some have already passed like the Sénas-Alsace market or the Foire du Gras but there are many more to experience.

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Marché Flottant in Isle sur la Sorgue

November 1, 2019 by ashleyt 1 Comment

The Marché Flottant, or floating market, is an annual market in Isle sur la Sorgue. It’s every first Sunday of August. Locals in traditional dress load up their “Nègo Chin” (traditional Provençal boats) with olives, lavender, truffle products and all sorts of provençal specialties. You can stand on the side of the river or docks and buy directly from the boats. The small floating market is visually stunning; it transports you to another time. See pictures below.

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La Courge en Fête

October 1, 2019 by ashleyt Leave a Comment

October Squash/Gourd Festival in Rians

2020 update* This event is happening this year though of course you will have to wear a mask and there won’t be any homemade products for sale.

If I had to pick my favourite autumn festival in Provence it would be the Fête de la Courge in Rians. La Courge en Fête roughly translates to celebration of the gourd! The same weekend as Canadian thanksgiving, this fête gets me into the autumn spirit every year. You’ve probably noticed my absolute admiration for the French ability to have a festival in honour of each locally grown fruit or veggie (see fête de la fraise/strawberry festival, fête du gras/fat festival…duckfat!) The Fête de la Courge is no exception.

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May Events in Provence 2019

May 3, 2019 by ashleyt 1 Comment

arlesienne 1er mai arles — An Arlésienne at the Fête des Gardians in Arles

On the 1st of May, make sure to visit the celebrations in Arles where the Fête des Gardians takes over the city. Worth a visit! You may even see the queen of les Arlesiennes.

This is the month of public holidays in France. Make sure to be aware of store closings. I would just give up on getting anything official done this month. Beware of “faire le pont” where everyone combines a public holiday with a weekend- even if the holiday is in the middle of the week!

You’ll find the landscape to be full of red poppies, wild peas, elderflower, rocket and more. The markets display stunning varieties of artichokes, peas and mountains of fresh herbs. Book an insider’s market tour with me if you’re curious.

Jours Féries/Public Holidays:

1 mai : Fête du Travail (French Labour day, A LOT is closed. Luckily, there are numerous festivals. This is when I met my man 11 years ago. The public holiday was the excuse for drinking all his wine and eating all his chocolate while stranded at a youth hostel in deep wine country Languedoc….

8 mai : Victory in Europe Day 1945

30 mai : l’Ascension

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April Events in Provence 2019

April 7, 2019 by ashleyt 2 Comments

April Tendencies

foraging for asparagus, roquette, dill, thyme and rosemary curious provence — Foraged finds from a recent rather long walk. Roquette (arugula), flowering rosemary, wild asparagus, aneth, and flowering thyme.

So I’m perhaps little nuts but at this time of year I love to sit in the evening with a glass of wine, talk to my man and shell fresh peas. Those plump lovelies are so delicious it’s worth the effort, and relaxing too.

Right now in the Luberon it’s all about the cherry blossoms. There are many weekend vide greniers and lots of fresh foraged asparagus, arugula/rocket, thyme and more to be had in the hillsides.

Yesterday, we spent 3 hours at the notary as we’re buying a house. It’s a complete ruin and very old so all the boundary lines are tricky. There’s even a secret passage! Things won’t really move ahead for another couple months (it’s France) but exciting nonetheless!

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March Events in Provence 2019

March 1, 2019 by ashleyt 2 Comments

Spring is Upon us! Or, at least, it is here. The almonds are blooming and it’s about 20 degrees in the sun. I remember growing up in Montréal when you could smell the spring mud and ice thawing, there would always be one last snow generally right before my birthday on April 26th. Urgh. For all of you in colder climes, you’re almost there…

Here is my list of interesting goings on in Provence this month. Enjoy and let me know if you attend any of the events and what you thought! Feel free to add any other suggestions in the comments.

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January Events in Provence 2019

January 3, 2019 by ashleyt Leave a Comment

Sea Urchins, Truffles, and Long walks

The villages of Provence become quiet after the holidays. People tend to stay in, stoke their living room fires, and leave a pot au feu (stew) on the stove for many hours.

There are fewer of the festivals that celebrate one particular type of local produce that I so much love; however, that doesn’t mean there still isn’t quality produce to be eaten. Rabbit, truffles, sea food and all manner of fresh root veggies and beautiful enormous cabbages fill the markets. I must admit I quite enjoy seeking out a sunny café and overlooking the quiet landscape dotted with stems of chimney smoke. This is a great time of year for foraging, visiting the sites of Provence that are otherwise crowded (Roman ruins, museums) and hiking.

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In Remembrance: Vintage War Postcards

November 10, 2017 by ashleyt 1 Comment

French WWI Postcards, in Remembrance

While sifting through vintage war postcards I found these at a flea market here in France. In honour of Remembrance Day or Veterans Day, I’m sharing them with you.

I find these images, meant to uplift, quite heartbreaking.

Unfortunately, my grandfather passed away before I was old enough to think to ask him about his experiences. I know that he fought in several different countries. Robin’s grandfather was captured at Dunkirk and forced to walk to a prisoner’s camp in Germany from there. He spoke very little of his experience.

These French postcards are from WWI. What are your favourite books, films, stories about WWI or WWII? Did you have a family member that fought or was displaced at the time?

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