Head to Lourmarin on Fridays for Market Day

Lourmarin on Fridays

Early on Friday morning, when the clock chimes eight, the sound of clanking metal posts gently peppers the air. White vans fill the car park outside my door, and market stalls spring up in Lourmarin’s Place Henri Barthélémy, spilling out along the streets. Friday is market day in Lourmarin, and as I grab my basket, no matter how many times I’ve ambled through its’ stalls, I wonder, ‘what might I find today?’

Discover Caroline’s Shutters and Sunflowers stroll through this dynamic weekly market in the Luberon. Her beautiful photos guide you on a visual shopping trip to some of the best market stalls for produce, local cheese, pottery and fabric. All that before a coffee stop.

Luberon Market Days

There is a market somewhere in the Luberon every single day of the week. Most markets start at around 8:00 am and end at about 1:00 pm. In the summer months, there are also several evening markets. Check the exact times of the market you plan to visit, as there can be some variation throughout the year and the region. Here is a complete list of markets in Provence and the Côte d’Azur by day of the week.

However, not every market is as charming as the one in Lourmarin on Fridays. So, it helps to have expert advice on where to visit and why. Caroline shares some of her (other) favourite markets in this post.

Author Marjorie Williams wrote this terrific guide to the Markets of Provence. The book is full of tips for market-goers. This pocket-sized book readily fits into a purse or market bag. Read more about Marjorie Williams here.

Things to do in Lourmarin

Market day aside, Lourmarin is a village well worth visiting.

The charming old streets are lined with cute boutiques. For Provencal gifts, head to La Maison FRANC for traditional lavender wands. For beautiful linens, there is an interior design store called KOT.

In the height of the summer months or off-season, discover the Lourmarin castle, local vineyards, nearby villages and Michelin-star dining.

Sit in a cafe and enjoy the people-watching. Here are a few dining tips for Provencal cafés and markets.

9 Luberon Villages to Visit

Caroline Longstaffe

A traveller at heart, Caroline says she was most probably born under a wandering star. This English girl lives in California, but has a soft spot for France. After living in Provence for 18 months, she admits that she is now torn between the towns of Uzes and Lourmarin - she cannot decide which is her favourite. During her stay in Provence, Caroline launched her blog Shutters and Sunflowers. Her blog is about passion, about living the journey not waiting to get to the destination.