When in Provence, checking out the many street markets is a must. While in France we build our sightseeing around the markets. We get to the town early, visit the market and spend the rest of the day visiting the sights.
The vendors at these markets are friendly and most will speak at least a little English. If not, you can use hand gestures to let them know what you want and how much. It is considered impolite to touch the produce, so don’t insult the vendor. Many markets have provencal fabric, tableware, and pottery to sell that make wonderful gifts or remembrances. Below is my compendium of the Markets of Provence. And below that is my list by city, of the Provence Flea and Antiques Markets (Marche aux Puces et Brocantes.) The more important (larger) markets are printed in Bold.
Farmer’s Markets of Provence and the Cote d’Azur
Monday
Bédoin, Cadenet, Cavaillon, Nimes (antiques), Stes-Maries-de-la-Mer
Tuesday
Aix-en-Provence , Gordes (arts and crafts), Grasse, La Tour D’Aigues, St-Tropez, Tarascon, Vaison-la-Romaine
Wednesday
Arles, Digne, Draguignan, Fréjus, Salon-de-Provence, Sault, Sisteron, St-Rémy-de-Provence
Thursday
Aix-en-Provence, Beaucaire, Isle sur la Sorgue, Le Lavandou, Orange, Roussillon
Friday
Bonnieux, Carpentras, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Lourmarin, Moustiers-Ste-Marie, Remoulins
Saturday
Aix-en-Provence (antiques), Apt, Arles, Avignon (crafts, Ave. du 7ème Génie Barjols), Digne, Draguignan, Fréjus Manosque, Sisteron, St-Rémy-de-Provence, St-Tropez, Uzés
Sunday
L’Isle Sur-La-Sorgue (antiques)
Daily
Aix-en-Provence (fruit and vegetables), Antibes , Avignon (except Monday), Cannes, Marseille (fish), Menton, Nice, Sanary-sur-Mer, Toulon, Bédoin, Cadenet, Cavaillon, Nà®mes (antiques), Stes-Maries-de-la-Mer
Marchés aux Puces et Brocantes and Arts in Provence
Aix en Provence: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, Place Verdun
Antibes: Tuesday through Saturday in the Veille Ville. Mornings are for food produce which is supplied by artisans and traditional farmers from all over the region. The afternoon changes over to artists, potters, jewelers etc.
Arles: The first Wednesday of the month. Held at the Boulevard des Lices
Avignon: Saturday afternoon, Place du Crillon. Sunday afternoon, place de Carmes
Beaucaire: The first Friday each month, Cours Gambetta
Bolline: The second Saturday each month, Place de la Gardette
Bouc bel Air: The second Sunday of each month
Buis de Baronnies: The first Wednesday of each Month
Cabannes: The second Saturday of each month, Place de Mairie
Carpentras: Friday Afternoon, rue Bidaut
Coustallet: Sunday afternoon, Paques a Novembre
Forqualquier: Sundays from 8am to 7 pm until the end of August, Old Town (Vielle Ville) Place St. Michel and Place du Palais
Isle sur la Sorgue: Every week-end, espace Béchart at the entry to the village, at the train station on the road to Cavaillon, the L’Ile aux Brocante, avenue des 4 Otages, The Train Station platform, la cour de Francois.
Sunday, along the Sorgue, avenue des 4 Otages.
Jonquieres: Sunday afternoon
Mornas: Sunday afternoon
Nimes: Sunday afternoon, Stadium de Costieres.
Orange: Thursday afternoon, Place des Cordiers
Sunday afternoon, The Train Station Market
Pernes-les-Fontaines: Wednesday, Place Fredric Mistral
Saturday and Sunday afternoon, Bel Air
Salon de Provence: Every First Sunday of the month. Place Morgan
Tarascon: The second Saturday of the month, center of the old town
Villenueve les Avignon: Saturday afternoon, place du Marche
Written by Terri Fogarty for EuropeUpClose.com



evelynbeasley
Monday 28th of December 2009
leaving Atlanta,GA 4/3/2010 returning 9 days later, how much should the air flight cost
evelynbeasley
Monday 28th of December 2009
This is the 1st vacation that I have taken since I lost my husband @ only child.
Susan
Tuesday 14th of April 2009
I went to the Cote d'Azur few days ago and I was really satisfied of this travel. I got a nice prices in the airplanes tickets in Twenga and my hotel was down town in Avignon very close to the market it was fantastic!
yourcotedazur.com
Friday 16th of January 2009
Don't forget the fantastic Provencal Market in the Veille Ville of Antibes, Tuesday to Saturday mornings are for food produce which is supplied by artisans and traditional farmers fro all over the region. The afternoon changes over to artists, potters, jewellers etc. The morning is unmissable though.