things to do in provence Archives

Saturday Arles Market Provence

January 29, 2018 by ashleyt 3 Comments

The Arles market is so big you’ll need a little map! Forgive my silly map-drawing skills…

Arles Market on Saturdays

The Saturday Arles market is one of the largest in Provence. Each of the 450 vendors have an average of 5-metre large stands. If you arrive early, you’ll see the jostling to get a place!

The market is twice a week, but it’s the Saturday market that is most impressive. With a walking area of 2,5 km, you’re sure to find whatever you’re looking for. The vendors in the alimentary part of the market offer the absolute best produce that Provence has to offer. The fruit and vegetables are unbeatable, so is the competitively priced fish market.

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Must See in Provence: Abrivado-Bandido

July 18, 2016 by ashleyt 8 Comments

Abrivado-Bandido in Provence: A Village Event

This past weekend, in our small town, there were constant animations of live music, parades, and lots and lots of bull running to celebrate Bastille Day. While visiting Provence, you must see one of these abrivado-bandido events.

Before the weekend tall steel barriers were installed all along the main road to protect against charging bulls. Announcements in just about every language are made to let people know that you just might find an enormous black bull on the road!

The abrivado-bandidos in Maussane occur in the late morning rather than in the evening. This is ideal as, although the young kids who’s job it is to try and stop the bull are younger, it doesn’t attract the heavy drinking pastis atmosphere of the older youths; leading to some pretty dangerous behavior! Last year, we lived in Noves and oh my the whole village smelled like aniseed. Not that I’m anyone to judge with my copious rosé drinking…

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The 9 Best Markets in Provence

April 19, 2016 by ashleyt 85 Comments

CuriousProvence Market Tours

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?

Book a foodie market tour with me!

Tours are about 3.5 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 250€ for 2 people or 310€ with a picnic. Day tours and combined market tour and photoshoot experiences are possible. Send me an email to ask about availabilities. curiousprovence@gmail.com

My Favourite Markets in Provence

Just about every village in Provence has a weekly market. Some villages have markets that occur twice a week or even daily! Markets are absolutely my favourite part of living in Provence.

We can easily spend a day wandering through the stalls and people watching as we sit at a wonky table with a couple glasses of rosé. The weekly market is a ritual that is truly part of living in Provence. On Sundays, you’ll see whole families shopping together as kids amazingly express great interest in the new vegetables of the season. Here are my 9 favourite Provençal markets.

Seasonal mushrooms at Le Thor market

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Apt Saturday Market- One of the Best?

March 21, 2015 by ashleyt 13 Comments

Is Apt Saturday Market one of the best?

The Saturday market in Apt has been labeled as a “marché d’exception français” (exceptional French market) due to it’s atmosphere, history, and originality. It’s also considered to be one of the top ten food markets in France. I had to see for myself…

Apt Market in Spring

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