Open-Air Markets in France: A Local Experience

Open-air markets in France typically operate in the mornings, starting from 7 am or 8 am and continuing until noon or 1 pm, when traders close their stalls for lunch. It’s a delightful way to immerse yourself in local culture, often leading to discovering a charming local bistro.

Market Hours in France

Tips:

• If unable to locate a market, ask anyone for le marché (the market).
• In France, price tags must indicate the origin of all produce. Look for du pays, meaning local products.

Shopping for Regional Specialties

Arts & Crafts
Traditional crafts thrive in France, bolstered by visitors eager to purchase authentic locally produced items.

Vallauris is famed for its pottery, rejuvenated by Pablo Picasso’s admiration for the local artisans. His influence brought new life to an art form, with many ceramicists replicating his designs. Today, the shops showcase a diverse range of pottery, often spilling onto the pavements in summer.

Different towns feature unique specialties. Look for pottery tiles in Salernes in Var, little pottery santons (Christmas crèche figures) in Aix-en-Provence, exquisite glass in Biot, and traditional flutes and tambourines in Barjols.

Textiles
Those beautiful fresh linen items such as tablecloths and cushion covers are prominent from sources like Les Textiles Mistral and Souleiado.

Soaps
Marseille is renowned for its soaps, but be sure to explore small artisan producers offering beautifully packaged options that make for great gifts.

Lavender
The enchanting lavender fields of Provence create stunning vistas during the summer, transforming the landscape into vibrant Impressionist-like scenes. Lavender can be found in various forms, including soaps, honey, sweets, sachets, and decorative arrangements.

Fresh Produce
The primary attraction of most markets lies in their offerings of fresh fruits, vegetables, breads, diverse cheeses, herbs, olive oils, wines, and aromatic dried flowers. For those renting apartments, shopping at farmers’ markets for fresh produce is one of the vacation highlights, perfect for preparing delightful meals or enjoying a picnic by the beach or in a park.

Top Markets in Provence and the Cote d’Azur

01. Aix-en-Provence

The main markets are located in the old town, surrounded by cafes, providing a lovely spot for a well-deserved coffee break after exploring.

Traditional fruit and vegetable markets occur on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings at Place de la Madeleine and Place des Prêcheurs.

A daily farmers market operates in the mornings at Place Richelme.

The flower market takes place on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at Place de l’hôtel de ville.

An old books market is featured on the first Sunday of each month at Place de l’hôtel de ville. Additionally, textile markets fill the Cours Mirabeau on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with Saturdays dedicated to antiques and bric-a-brac at Place de Verdun.

02. St Tropez

Saint Tropez residents get their fresh fruit and vegetables from the market held on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 8 am to 1 pm at Place des Lices.

An antiques market is also available on Tuesdays and Saturdays, offering posh luggage, fabrics, and unique items like vintage tins and glassware.

03. Antibes

The famous historic covered food market at Cours Massena offers a delightful mix of fresh food, cheeses, olives, and more. The market operates daily from June 1st to September 1st, and in other months except Mondays, from 6 am to 1 pm.

04. Vaison-la-Romaine

This former Roman town features a bustling Provencal market every Tuesday morning, running from 8 am to 1 pm. The market combines local produce with an array of furniture and traditional Provençal items, including linens, oils, and soaps.

05. Cannes

Cannes features three major covered food markets: Forville, Gambetta, and La Bocca, each showcasing a plethora of flowers, fish, fruits, vegetables, and essential household items. These markets are open daily, except for Mondays during winter.

06. Arles

The Roman town of Arles comes alive each Wednesday morning with a farmers market on Blvd. Emile Combes, frequented by locals. Saturdays see a notable Provencal market along Blvd. des Lices and Blvd. Clémenceau.

The first Wednesday of every month hosts an antiques fair at Blvd des Lices.

07. Avignon

The chief city of Vaucluse features a covered farmers market with about 40 stalls, providing genuine local products like herbs, spices, fruits, and vegetables. Each Saturday, local chefs conduct free cooking demonstrations at 11 am (excluding August). Operating hours are Tuesday to Sunday from 6 am to 1 pm.

A fragrant flower market graces Place des Carmes on Saturdays, while a brocante and flea market takes over on Sundays from 6 am to 1 pm.

08. Carpentras

This charming town in the Cotes-du-Ventoux wine region boasts one of France’s largest farmers markets. Daily markets (except Mondays) at Marché gare and Fridays in rue de Carpentras run from 8 am to 12:30 pm, showcasing around 350 stalls offering a variety of fruits and vegetables, olive oil, and cheese. Notably famous for strawberries in spring and winter truffles.

The truffle market operates on Place Aristide Briand from 8 am to noon, ideal for acquiring top-quality truffles, especially tuber melanosporum from November to February.

09. L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue

A delightful regional produce market occurs on Thursday mornings from 9 am to 12:30 pm around the church. Additionally, a lively Provencal market takes place every Sunday morning from 8 am to 2 pm throughout the town, with rich antique offerings and boutiques enhancing the shopping experience.

Notably, the town hosts two renowned annual weekend antiques markets, coinciding with Easter weekend and mid-August.

10. Nice

Nice, also known as the Queen of the Mediterranean, hosts numerous vibrant markets. The Cours Saleya fruit and vegetable market stands out as a top culinary destination, open daily except Mondays from 6 am to 1:30 pm.

A bustling flower market operates daily (except Mondays) and on Sunday afternoons from 6 am to 5:30 pm. The small yet impressive fish market in Place Saint-François is available every day except Monday from 6 am to 1 pm.

The brocante market fills Cours Saleya on Mondays from 7:30 am to 6 pm, featuring second-hand treasures. In summer, the Cours Saleya transforms with an evening craft and art market from 6 pm to midnight, with additional markets in Place du Palais de Justice on the second Saturday of every month.

On the fourth Saturday, old postcards populate Place du Palais de Justice, mirroring the market hours mentioned above. Lastly, antique books and rare editions are available on the first and third Saturdays under the same schedule.