The Window Shopper...Market Days in Provence
I have never managed to walk through a Provencal market and come away empty handed yet at the same time the colourful stands, the personalities and the wonderful goods make it one of the most memorable 'window' shopping experiences of all.
The markets in Provence are a morning affair starting at around 8.00 and finishing about 1.00 in the afternoon. Depending on the town or the village everything and anything will be available for sale. Meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, dairy, livestock, flowers, plants, clothing, antiques, bric-a-brac, household goods, bedding and kitchen appliances. You name it I have seen it and like all things, some markets are better than others.
The Alpilles...the markets closest to me
Tuesday - Aix-en-Provence, Tarascon
Wednesday - St Remy de Provence, Molleges, Mouries
Thursday - Maussane Les Alpilles, Aix-en-Provence
Friday - Aix-en-Provence, Eygalieres, Salon-de-Provence, Fontvielle
Saturday - Aix-en-Provence, Arles
** Don't miss Aix-en-Provence (best old books and small antique collectables), Arles (best food, flowers and plants and the least expensive) and my local St Remy de Provence (best home wares - linen tablecloths, napkins and Provencal quilts).
The Luberon...
Monday - Cavaillon
Tuesday - Gordes, Lacoste,
Thursday - L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Orange
Friday - Bonnieux, Lourmarin, Carpentras
Saturday - Apt
Sunday - L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
** If you are not staying in the Luberon then I highly recommend a visit to this area; the hilltop villages are so charming and the valleys beautifully picturesque. Don't miss Sunday morning in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, (morning Provencal market and all day antique market) Apt and Lourmarin (the prettiest of villages).
Around Avignon...
Wednesday - Nimes
Thursday - Beaucaire
Friday - Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Saturday - Villeneuve-les-Avignons
**Villeneuve-les-Avignons on the other side of the Rhone River from the old city of Avignon holds a flea market each weekend.
If you are planning a visit to Provence then a market is a must. Depending on your itinerary, one Provencal market is probably enough to get the feel, enjoy different taste sensations and to buy some souvenirs to take home. The flea markets are a different story; I never tire of browsing through the different wares for sale each week. Some days are better than others and the markets are very weather dependant. I have always found my treasure on the bright sparkly days; happier vendors means happier buyers and vice versa.
Happy Shopping, xv.
Happy Shopping, xv.
image taken by me in aix-en-provence yesterday
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