{"id":15392,"date":"2015-03-23T17:19:50","date_gmt":"2015-03-23T21:19:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/?p=15392"},"modified":"2022-04-28T16:35:29","modified_gmt":"2022-04-28T20:35:29","slug":"top-5-markets-provence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2015\/03\/23\/top-5-markets-provence\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 5 Markets to Visit in Provence"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Provence\u2019s markets are known for their handmade goods like these woven baskets<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The Provencal region has beautiful beaches, beautiful residents, and a beautiful artistic legacy. It also happens to be the home of some of the country\u2019s best shopping, particularly for produce, spices, and handmade crafts. To get you started, why not take a look at the southern French cuisine you’ll find in the area<\/a>? While it may be difficult for you to peel yourself away from the amazingly blue waters, trust us\u2013the marketplaces are worth a few hours of your time or multiple visits! C\u2019est magnifique!<\/em><\/p>\n

1. Aix en Provence<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Place de l\u2019Hotel de Ville in Aix en Provence is famous for its flower market <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Old Town serves as the central hub for many of the markets in Aix. Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday are the most popular days. You can get a sense of what a Provencal market is like here<\/a>. Place de Pr\u00eacheurs<\/strong> is a venue for fruit and vegetable vendors (perfect for vegetarians looking to cook meat-free dishes!), while Place de l\u2019H\u00f4tel de Ville<\/strong> is where you can pick up a fresh bouquet for your beloved and browse older tomes for your library. Craftier folks will find the textile and antique markets precisely to their liking at the Cours Mirabeau<\/strong> and Place de Verdun<\/strong>, respectively. If you are in town during the month of December, don\u2019t miss the opportunity to tour the exquisite Christmas markets<\/strong>. Aix en Provence has a lot more going on than just its markets, however; see what else you can accomplish in this city, even in a 48-hour trip<\/a>!<\/p>\n

2. Avignon<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Herbs, tea blends, and spices are the keys to flavorful food and drink, and can be found all across Provencal marketplaces<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Northwest of Aix en Provence is Avignon, a city known for its medieval structures that have survived to the present day. Another upheld medieval tradition is Avignon\u2019s marketplaces! The most famous of these is Les Halles<\/strong>, which is open every day except Mondays. You\u2019ll discover delicious produce as well as herbs, spices, and olive oil there for your cooking pleasure. Avignon\u2019s most anticipated time of year is July during the Festival d\u2019Avignon, and certain markets\u2013including the Marche aux livres, disques et affiches du Festival d\u2019Avignon<\/strong>\u2013are only in operation during the event. If you\u2019re a fan of all things vintage, you can\u2019t miss it. What else is there to do in Avignon? Our guide should give you a few good ideas<\/a>!<\/p>\n

3. Marseilles<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Don\u2019t leave the South of France without purchasing some of the best handmade soaps you\u2019ll find anywhere in the world<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Marseilles may have the highest tally of marketplaces on this list. Marche aux Poissons is the city\u2019s fish market and is beloved by both natives and tourists. Get there as early as possible during the five hours it’s open (between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.) to choose the best catches of the day. During the summer, stop by the Les Artisanales du Vieux-Port<\/strong> for a sampling of handcrafted soaps, honey, and Provencal fabrics (additional artisanal souvenir recommendations can be found here<\/a>). For a delightfully hectic experience, Le Marche de Noailles<\/strong>‘s sensory overload of international produce, spices, and breads is unbeatable. Marseilles\u2019s considerable Arab population influences the market, and you\u2019ll find Arabic delicacies like harissa and couscous here.<\/p>\n

4. Carpentras<\/strong><\/p>\n

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What would a trip to France be without the right cheese? <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Carpentras\u2019s Provencal market, held each Friday morning and early afternoon, is home to hundreds of vendors\u2013roughly 350, in fact! Items are available seasonally, but there are always fruits and cheeses to please your palate! Looking to see a great competition? Head over to the market\u2019s black truffle stalls, where potential buyers engage in intense negotiation for the valuable mushrooms that may have been unearthed by truffle-hunting pigs.<\/p>\n

5. Saint-R\u00e9my-de-Provence<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Saint-R\u00e9my-de-Provence markets have an abundance of olives for sale<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Unlike other towns (in which market days tend to be on or around the weekend), Saint-R\u00e9my-de-Provence<\/strong> reserves Wednesdays for marketplace wheeling and dealing. If you\u2019re an olive lover, this is the place to visit; olives, olive oil, and olive chopping boards are sold here virtually year-round. Vinegar, pottery, and purple garlic (sold only in the spring) are other items for sale at Saint-R\u00e9my. Want to know what else to do in Saint-R\u00e9my? Check this out<\/a>!<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re spending a considerable amount of time in the Provence region (either through our furnished apartments<\/a> or our vacation properties<\/a>), we recommend Lourmarin, Cucuron, Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue, Gordes, and Vaison-La-Romaine. Whether or not you bring home freshly made jam, candies, and linens from the area, or the dried lavender for which the South of France is known, we suggest approaching the busy markets at a leisurely pace. That way, you can appreciate this age-old tradition to the fullest extent!<\/p>\n

What are your favorite Provencal markets?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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