Edible Provence: Exploring Markets, History and Culinary Traditions in Provence

Provence is a magical triangle in southeastern France that continues to enchant. The French passion for food is celebrated in its open-air village markets, where seasonal produce is the mainstay of daily life. This sun-kissed corner of the map offers a bounty of genuinely fresh fruits and vegetables, tantalizing delicacies, and irresistible scents of lavender, rosemary, and thyme that you can almost taste. It is a splendid, multi-faceted mosaic of unhurried daily rhythms, sunshine and serenity. Visiting the South of France is a joy for food lovers, as it is truly a discovery of Edible Provence.

©Sue Aran – French Country Adventures

Shopping at the Markets

Since the love of good food and community is at the heart of French village life, there is no better way to step into the flow of a country day than through the markets where locals gather to shop and share stories. Even though most people come for food, glorious food, there’s almost nothing you can’t purchase on market day, from olive wood bowls and rich aromatic spices to colourful baskets and fanciful clothes. This thriving, centuries-old tradition continues in every kind of weather, every day of the week.

©Sue Aran – French Country Adventures

For anyone travelling to Provence, its markets are central to the region’s way of life, preserving a deep connection to the land. The list below covers Haut-Vaucluse, Combat-Venaissin, Mont-Ventoux, Luberon, Bouche-du-Rhône, and the Gard. Most markets start at 8 am and end at 12 or 1 in the afternoon. Some markets are in the evening, so check on the village website for details. Some markets are larger than others; they are marked with a star (*) in the list that follows. And some markets have specialties as noted below.

©Sue Aran – French Country Adventures

Daily Markets in Provence

Monday – *Bédoin, Cadenet, Fontvielle, Forqualquier, Bédarides, *Bollene, *Cavaillon, Goult, Lauris, Mazan, Nîmes, *St. Didier, Saint Saturnin-les-Avignon, St. Ètienne-du-Grès.

Tuesday – *Avignon, Gordes, La Tour D’Aigues, Aix-en-Provence, Beaumes-de-Venise, Caromb, Cucuron, Lacoste, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, Grignan, Marguerittes, Tarascon, *Vaison-la-Romaine, *Tarascon.

Wednesday – St. Rémy de Provence, Aigues-Mortes, Malaucene, Roussillon, Sault, Salon, Valréas, Velleron, Violès, Arles, *Mouries, Orgon, *Bagnols-sur-Cèze, Digne-les-Bains, Gap.

Thursday – Les Baux-de-Provence, Aix-en-Provence, Ansouis, Aubignan, Beaucaire, Nyons
Oppede-les-Vieux, Orange, Le Pontet, Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, Ménerbes, Vacqueyras, *St. Gilles.

Friday – Eygalières, Aix-en-Provence, Bonnieux, *Carpentras, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, *Courtézon, Eyguières, Lourmarin, *Pertuis, Stes. Maries-de-la-Mer, *St. Martin-de-Crau, Remoulins, St. Quentin-la-Poterie.

Saturday – *Avignon, Apt, Aix-en-Provence, Cheval Blanc, Crillon-le-Brave, Oppede, *Pernes-les-Fontaines, *St. Cécile-les-Vignes, Sommières, Uzès,*Manosque, Sisteron, Cadenet,

Sunday – L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, *Avignon, Aigues-Mortes, Beaucaire, *Châteaurenard, Jonquières, *Sorgues, Ansouis

Daily Markets – Aix-en-Provence.

Flower Market – Aix-en-Provence, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, Nimes on Monday.

Truffle Markets – November – March, Friday in Carpentras, Saturday in Apt and Uzès, Wednesday in Valréas, Tuesday in Vaison-la-Romaine, Tuesday in Grignan, Thursday in Nyons.

Floating Market – L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue on the first Sunday in August.

Guide to Daily Markets in Provence

©Sue Aran – French Country Adventures

From Nice: Chateau de Cremat and Chateau Ste Roseline Wine Tour

Venture into the scenic vineyards of Nice on a delightful 6.5-hour tour that showcases the art of winemaking and culinary delights. Start at the stunning Château de Cremat, nestled in the hills, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour and sample exquisite wines. Next, visit the historic Château Sainte-Roseline, where you can explore its beautiful estate and taste renowned crus.

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Sue Aran

Sue Aran is an American who followed her dream of living in France. Since 2006, she has lived in a tiny village in the Gers department of southwest France. She owns French Country Adventures, which provides private, personally-guided, small-group, slow travel tours into Gascony, the Pays Basque, Occitanie and Provence. Fully bilingual, Sue is also a writer and photographer. In addition, she posts a quarterly newsletter about her life in France and contributes to several online and print magazines.

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