Carolyne Kauser-AbbottMarkets in Provence and Cote d'AzurTaste

Markets of Provence and the Cote d’Azur a Reference Guide

Welcome to our resource guide for the Markets of Provence and the Côte d’Azur. This article is a reference directory to some of the better-known markets, producers’ markets and a few more. It would be impossible to list every market in the region, and at the end of the day, the best market is the one you have a chance to visit.

In addition, to markets watch for signs along your travels that read “vente directe” or “vente des champs” or the like, this is your chance to buy directly from the farmer. At these farm stalls, the hours and selection may be limited, but rest assured you are buying just-picked produce, at the height of the season.

Enjoy the sights, sounds and aromas of Provence.

Market Day is Every Day in Provence

No matter your “home” base in the region, rest assured that the drive to a local market will not be far. Almost every city, town and village has a market day, and some larger locations may even have two markets per week. Temptation at a market is everywhere in the piles of produce and fresh fruit, ripening goat cheese, and buckets of olives. However, practice a bit of buyer-beware as some vendors are resellers, who buy from large chains and simply re-package their goods for market goers. Study the “Pays d’Origine” tags these little signs tell you where the produce comes from and give you an indication of quality with #1 being the best. Try to buy local, in-season, and where possible directly from the producer.

Most markets start around 8 am and end by 1 pm. Although, there are also several evening markets in summer months. Check the exact times of the market you are planning to visit as there can be some variation through the year and the region.

Markets Provence Cote d'Azur Spices


MONDAYS

Cote d’Azur: 
Beaulieu-sur-Mer
Monaco – daily

Bouches du Rhône:
Aix en Provence – there is a market every day of the week either in Place Richleme or Place des Precheurs
Boulbon
Fontvieille
Marseille – Fish Market on the Vieux Port. At this daily market, you will find a wide variety of fish from the local waters of the Mediterranean. This location is not exactly where the fishing boats dock, but not to worry the fish is fresh from the sea.
St Etienne du Grès

Luberon:
Cadenet
Cavaillon
Lauris

Var:
Flayosc
Grimaud
Sanary sur Mer – daily
Toulon – daily – check for the exact location

Vaucluse:
Bedoin
St Didier

Markets Provence Cote d'Azur Honey Vendor


TUESDAYS

Bouches-du-Rhône:
Aix-en-Provence
Eguilles
Eyguieres
Istres – one of the largest in the area
La Ciotat
Lambesc – Farmers Market
Lancon de Provence
Marignane
Marseille – Several locations
Tarascon
Ventabren

Cote d’Azur:
Antibes – daily except Mondays
Beaulieu-sur-Mer
Cannes – two markets daily except Mondays
Grasse – daily except Mondays
Nice – daily except Mondays at Cours Saleya, Place St François and St Roch
Monaco – daily
Saint Tropez

Luberon:
Apt
Coustellet
Cucuron
Gordes
Lacoste
St Saturnin les Apt

Var:
Bandol
Bormes les Mimosas
Cotignac
Frejus
Hyeres – daily except Mondays
Lorgues
Sanary sur Mer – daily
Toulon – daily – check for the exact location

Vaucluse:
Avignon – Les Halles – Place Pie (open daily except Mondays from 6h to 13h30). There are a wide number of food vendors in this central market, and there is parking attached to the building.
Beaumes de Venise
Caromb
Jonquières
Mormoiron
Vaison la Romaine
Villars

Markets Provence Cote d'Azur St Tropez


WEDNESDAYS

Bouches-du-Rhône:
Cassis
Marseille – 100% farm produce with many organic options on the Cours Julien
Martigues – La Couronne and Carro
St-Remy-de-Provence
Salon-de-Provence

Cote d’Azur:
Bormes les Mimosas
Cannes – two markets daily except Mondays
Cogolin
Grasse – daily except Mondays
Nice – daily except Mondays at Cours Saleya, Place St François and St Roch
Monaco – daily

Luberon:
Bonnieux (a small market)

Var:
Aups
Bormes les Mimosas
Frejus
Hyeres – daily except Mondays
Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume
Salernes – small market
Sanary sur Mer – daily
Toulon – every day – check for the exact location
Tourtour
Valensole

Vaucluse:
Avignon – Les Halles
Le Thor
Malaucene
Sault
Velleron
Villes sur Auzon

Markets Provence Cote d'Azur Goat Cheese


THURSDAYS

Bouches-du-Rhône:
Aix en Provence
Aubagne
Maillane
Maussane
Marseille – Several locations
Martigues – Jonquieres and L’Ile
Miramas
Noves
Senas

Cotes d’Azur:
Cannes – two markets daily except Mondays
Grasse – daily except Mondays
Grimaud
Le Lavandou
Monaco – daily
Nice – daily except Mondays at Cours Saleya, Place St François and St Roch
Port Grimaud
Ramatuelle – Place de l’Ormeau
Sainte-Maxime

Luberon:
Goult
Robion
Roussillon
Saignon

Var:
Grimaud
Hyeres – daily except Mondays
Sanary sur Mer – daily
Toulon – every day – check for the exact location
Villecroze

Vaucluse:
Avignon Les Halles
L’Isle sur la Sorgue
Orange
Vacqueyras
Villeneuve les Avignon

Markets Provence Cote d'Azur Aix-en-Provence


FRIDAYS

Bouches-du-Rhône:
Aix-en-Provence
Eguilles
Eygalieres
Erargues
Lambesc
Marseille – Several locations
Tarascon
Saintes Maries de la Mer

Cote d’Azur:
Cannes – two markets daily except Mondays
Grasse – daily except Mondays
Monaco – daily
Nice – daily except Mondays at Cours Saleya, Place St François and St Roch
Toulon

Luberon:
Bonnieux
Lourmarin
Pertuis

Var:
Cotignac
Frejus
Grimaud
Hyeres – daily except Mondays
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
Sanary sur Mer – daily
Toulon – daily – check for the exact location

Vaucluse:
Avignon – Les Halles
Carpentras
Châteauneuf du Pape
Mallemort

Markets Provence Cote d'Azur Eygalieres


SATURDAYS

Alpes de Haute Provence:
Digne les Bains
Manosque
Sisteron

Bouches-du-Rhône:
Aix en Provence
Arles
Aubagne
Marseille – Several locations
Martigues – La Couronne and Carro
St-Remy de Provence

Cote d’Azur:
Antibes
Beaulieu-sur-Mer
Cannes – two markets daily except Mondays
Cogolin
Grasse – daily except Mondays
Monaco – daily
Nice – daily except Mondays at Cours Saleya, Place St François and St Roch
Saint Tropez
Villefranche-sur-Mer

Luberon:
Apt – be prepared to rub shoulders at this ‘Grande Marché’ that winds its way through the narrow streets of the old town. You will find everything at this market from local products and fresh produce to North African cuisine.
Cadenet
Oppède
Pertuis

Var:
Aups
Frejus
Hyeres – daily except Mondays
Sanary sur Mer – daily
Toulon – every day – check for the exact location
Tourtour
Valensole

Vaucluse:
Avignon – Les Halles
Bollène
Le Thor
Pernes les Fontaines
Vaison la Romaine

Markets Provence Cote d'Azur Flowers


SUNDAYS

Bouches-du-Rhône:
Aix en Provence
Aubagne
Chateaurenard
La Ciotat
Marseille – Several locations
Martigues – Jonquieres and L’Ile
Salon de Provence

Cotes d’Azur:
Cannes – two markets daily except Mondays
Grasse – daily except Mondays
La Croix-Valmer
Monaco – daily
Nice – daily except Monday at Cours Saleya, Place St François and St Roch
Port Grimaud
Ramatuelle – Place de l’Ormeau

Luberon:
Ansouis
Coustellet
Mormoiron

Var:
Grimaud
Hyeres – daily except Mondays
Régusse
Salernes – large market
Sanary sur Mer – daily
Toulon – daily – check for the exact location

Vaucluse:
Avignon Les Halles
Jonquieres
L’Isle sur la Sorgue – this market has well deserved a reputation for being large. If you arrive later in the morning parking can be a challenge. Many people visit this town as much for the market as for the approximately 300 antique stores. The first Sunday in August is the annual floating market (marché flottant), where vendors dress in traditional clothing and sell produce from their boats.
Sorgues

Markets Provence Cote d'Azur Fish Martigues


Producers Markets

Producers markets are where the farmers take their produce and sell in quantities to wholesalers. These markets are frequented by restaurants (buying in bulk) and resellers. The public is usually allowed to these markets. However, you need to buy in bulk. If you want to do some canning or make some jam, this is a terrific way to buy the ingredients that you need.


Farmers Markets

These markets are typically quite small and often frequented by locals. At a farmers market (marché paysan) you are buying directly from the producer, not a wholesaler or reseller. The selection will be limited to what is in season and gathered from the farmer’s field. You will find fresh vegetables, fruit, goats cheese, honey, jams, meat (chicken, lamb, rabbit), wine. You should not expect to find table napkins and espadrilles. In summer months, there are several evening farmer’s markets around the region.


More Provence Market Information:

In 2016, Marjorie Williams published her second book “Markets of Provence.” We had to say this: “Once the word gets out, Williams’ Markets of Provence will be as indispensable as the A-Z guides for the chaotic streets of London, England. This pocket-sized book readily fits into a purse or market bag.” Read the full article here. Organized by day of the week, Williams shares details on the markets, favourite vendors and tips on where to eat lunch.

Official Bouches-du-Rhône Tourism site with interactive details here.

Additional listings in the Var here.

We might have missed your favourite market, or worse yet made a mistake on the market day(s). Help us to make this reference guide for the Markets of Provence and the Cote d’Azur even better by sending a quick note here.

Markets Provence Cote d'Azur

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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

With her camera and laptop close at hand, Carolyne has traded in her business suits for the world of freelance writing and blogging. Her first airplane ride at six months of age was her introduction to the exciting world of travel.

While in Provence, Carolyne can be found hiking with friends, riding the hills around the Alpilles or tackling Mont Ventoux. Her attachment to the region resonates in Perfectly Provence this digital magazine that she launched in 2014. This website is an opportunity to explore the best of the Mediterranean lifestyle (food & wine, places to stay, expat stories, books on the region, travel tips, real estate tips and more), through our contributors' articles.

Carolyne writes a food and travel blog Ginger and Nutmeg. Carolyne’s freelance articles can be found in Global Living Magazine, Avenue Magazine and City Palate (Published Travel Articles).

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