Markets in Provence Cote d’Azur a List for Travel Planning

Welcome to our list of the Markets of Provence and the Côte d’Azur. This article is a reference directory by day of the week to better-known markets, producers’ markets and a few more. While it would be impossible to include every market in the region, we have tried to be as comprehensive as possible. However, the best market is the one you can visit.

In addition, to traditional markets, watch for the signs “vente directe” or “vente des champs” or the like. This is your chance to buy directly from the farmer. While the hours and selection may be limited at these farm stalls, you buy just-picked produce at the height of the season. Enjoy the sights, sounds, and aromas of Provence.

Market Day is Every Day in Provence

Regardless of where you are based in the region, a local market will not be far away. Almost every city, town and village has a market day, and more prominent larger locations may even have two markets per week. Temptation at a market is everywhere in the piles of produce and just picked fruit, fresh goat cheese, and buckets of olives. However, practice a bit of buyer-beware as some vendors are resellers who wholesale and re-package their goods. Make sure to study the “Pays d’Origine” tag. These little signs tell you where the produce comes from and indicate quality, with #1 being the best. Try to buy local, in-season, and, where possible, directly from the producer.

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

Producers Markets

Producers markets are where the farmers take their produce and sell it in quantities to wholesalers. These markets are frequented by restaurants (buying in bulk) and resellers. The public is usually allowed to access these markets. However, you need to buy in bulk. This is a terrific way to buy the necessary ingredients for canning or making some jam.

Farmers Markets

These markets are relatively small and often frequented by locals. At a farmers market (marché paysan), you buy 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, goat cheese, honey, jams, meat (chicken, lamb, rabbit), and wine. You should not expect to find table napkins and espadrilles. In the summer, several evening farmer’s markets are around the region.

List of Markets by Day

MONDAYS

Cote d’Azur:

Beaulieu-sur-Mer
Monaco – daily
Nice – markets are closed
Antibes – closed on Mondays

Bouches du Rhône:

Aix en Provence – there is a market every day of the week, either in Place Richleme or Place des Precheurs. In addition, there is a flower market in the plaza by the Hôtel de Ville.

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.

Marché des Capucins, or the Noailles market, takes place Monday through Saturday morning in Marseille’s 1st arrondissement. This is a lively, multi-cultural city area where you will find local produce and exotic ingredients.

Boulbon
Fontvieille
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

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 – Fish market and Marché des Capucins
Tarascon
Ventabren

Cote d’Azur:

Antibes – daily except Mondays
Beaulieu-sur-Mer
Cannes – two markets daily except Mondays
Grasse – daily except Mondays
Monaco – daily
Saint Tropez

Nice – The market days in Nice are from Tuesday to Sunday. While there are several markets in Nice, the two (2) most famous and interesting are the Cours Saleya market in the Old Town of Nice from 9 am to 1 pm and the market in the Liberation district from 7 am to 1:30 pm.

The Cours Saleya market is on the most famous street of Vieux Nice, parallel to the sea and at the foot of Castle Hill. It was where painter Henri Matisse lived on this street—while at the market, look at the Nice Opera House, rebuilt at the end of the 19th century by François Aune, a pupil of Gustave Eiffel. A flea market replaces the fruit and vegetable market on Mondays.

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 from 6h to 13h30, except on Mondays). Many food vendors are in this central market hall, and a public parking lot is attached. Avignon is a large city on the Rhône River. A TGV station and seemingly endless big box stores are on the outskirts of town. However, the old city centre with the magnificent Papal Palace is inside the walls and a must-see for any visitor.

Beaumes de Venise
Caromb
Jonquières
Mormoiron
Vaison la Romaine
Villars

WEDNESDAYS

Bouches-du-Rhône:

Arles
Cassis
Marseille – 100% farm produce with many organic options on the Cours Julien
Martigues – La Couronne and Carro
Salon-de-Provence

St Remy de Provence – The Wednesday morning market is considered one of the top markets for visitors. However, during the summer, the market can be crowded. So, go early and wander the market to see what looks good. Keith shares his local tips for navigating this famous market, from butcher to the cheese stand and beyond.

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 – The village is between the Mediterranean and the Southern Alps. With a population of about 2200 permanent residents, it is known as the capital of the Haut Var. However, the population increases in the high season as Aups is considered a gateway to the Verdon Regional Natural Park, Lac St Croix and the stunning Gorges du Verdon. Market days on Wednesdays and Saturdays are a treat in Aups. The market stalls spread through a large plaza shaded by enormous plane trees. Vendors sell everything from regional cheeses, fresh bread and charcuterie to mattresses. During the black truffle season, from November to February, there is a Thursday morning market in 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

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

FRIDAYS

Bouches-du-Rhône:

Eygalieres – On Friday mornings, the main street in Eygalières fills with market stalls selling everything from fresh seasonal produce to espadrilles. If you can, grab a seat at one of the cafés, and enjoy watching the crowd. Discover this charming village in the Alpilles.

Aix-en-Provence
Eguilles
Eyragues – a tiny local market
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

SATURDAYS

Alpes de Haute Provence:

Digne les Bains
Manosque
Sisteron

Bouches-du-Rhône:

Arles – Market days in Arles are Wednesday and Saturday. Following a decree by King Henri III, these weekly markets have been in place since 1584. The Saturday market is the larger of the two markets and one of the biggest in Provence. The 450+ stands line Boulevard des Lices and Boulevard Georges-Clémenceau almost 2.5 kilometres in length, and offer anything you might want, including live poultry, eggs, olives, fresh rockfish, garden plants and herbs and summer dresses. Travel Tip: How to spend a day in Arles.

Aix en Provence
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 through the old town’s narrow streets. You will find everything at this market, from local products and fresh produce to North African cuisine. The city has a fascinating Medieval history. Also, discover Château de Mille just outside of Apt.

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

SUNDAYS

Bouches-du-Rhône:

Aix en Provence
Aubagne
Chateaurenard
La Ciotat
Marseille – Old Port, fish market
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
Mormoiron

Coustellet – This market is among my favourites on a Sunday with many local producers. Here you find a little of everything,g including Provencal artisanal items, hats, clothing and baskets. In addition, several boutiques are open during the market hour,s including a butcher, fishmonger and wine and beer merchant.

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
Sorgues

L’Isle sur la Sorgue – this market has well deserved a reputation for its large size. 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. Markets are only one reason to visit this charming town.

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.

If we have missed your favourite market, please 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.