8 Markets in Provence That Make You Fall in Love with France

The markets in Provence are a full-sensory experience and one you won’t want to miss if you’re there on vacation. It’s a social ritual, a chance to slow down, taste the season, and wander through stalls stacked with everything from goat cheese to woven baskets. But not all markets in Provence are created equal.

Some are set up in medieval squares where the stones have seen centuries of trade. Others are situated by the edge of a canal, where antique dealers set up alongside flower stalls. There are truffle markets in winter, produce markets run by farmers, and weekend affairs that double as treasure hunts for vintage finds. Each one has its own rhythm and personality.

If you’re planning a trip to Provence, adding a market (or three) to your itinerary will make the experience unforgettable. This guide takes you through the best ones, with tips on what to buy and when to visit so that you can experience the true heart of Provence.

Weekly Market Itinerary

Day	Markets
Monday	Bédoin (Ventoux region), Cadenet
Tuesday	Aix-en-Provence, Vaison-la-Romaine, Apt
Wednesday	Arles, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Thursday	L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Apt
Friday	Carpentras (truffles), Aix, Marseille fish market
Saturday	Aix, Apt, Arles, Saint-Rémy
Sunday	Apt, L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Coustellet

Aix‑en‑Provence 

I know you’re supposed to have favorites, but this one is mine. It probably helps because I love the vibe of Aix-en-Provence with its squares, fountains, and 17th-century mansions. It was once the capital of Provence and was founded by the Romans in 123 BC due to its thermal springs, which attracted settlers seeking health and leisure. Centuries later, it became a cultural hub, renowned for its art, universities, and grand architecture.

Market Days and Location

There are several markets in Aix, but the food market operates daily in Place Richelme from early morning until approximately noon. The biggest days are Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, when it becomes a multisensory boulevard-long event. There’s also a daily flower market at Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, except for the first Sunday of the month.

We visited the market in Place Richelme in March, and one of the fruit and veg stalls had freshly cut sunflowers. Not sure how, as the season is in July and August, but it put the biggest smile on my face as they’re my favorite flowers.

This is Aix’s most iconic market, and it has been here for centuries. Back in the 1300s, it was known as Place aux Herbes and served as the town’s main spot for herbs and grain. Fresh produce from local farms is the star. 

Seasonal fruits and vegetables, stacks of goat cheese, olives, lavender honey, olive oils, and seafood are available daily. Plus, calissons (Aix’s almond‑and‑candied melon cookies) and rows of lavender soap. On the bigger days, there are also linens, old books, and the odd antique treasure.

Insider tips

• Aim to arrive by 8:30 or 9 am. That’s when the best produce is out and vendors are more likely to offer small samples. 
• If you’re lugging bags, the small electric bus in Aix can drop you just at the edge of the market.
• After you shop, choose a café terrace at the square edge or over at the flower market next door for a well-earned rest and people‑watching 

Marché d’Apt

The Apt market is one of the oldest in Provence, dating back to the 12th century, and is in the Luberon. It has long been known for candied fruit, and you’ll see it everywhere.

Market Days and Location

The main market takes over the center of Apt every Saturday from early morning until about 12:30 pm. It stretches across the old streets, with more than 300 stalls in the summer months. Everything revolves around Place de la Bouquerie, but the market winds through side streets, so give yourself time to wander.

Fresh fruit and vegetables dominate the market, but there’s also cheese, charcuterie, honey, and olive oils from local producers. Look out for Banon cheese wrapped in chestnut leaves, and the famous candied fruit that Apt has been exporting since the Middle Ages. On the edges of the food stalls, you’ll find pottery, linens, baskets, and leather goods.

Insider tips

• Arrive early. By 10 am, the narrow streets are packed, and parking gets tricky. 
• If you want candied fruit, go straight to one of the specialist stalls as they sell out fast.
• Bring cash, as not every vendor takes cards, and allow time to stop for a coffee after you’ve filled your basket. 

L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue

The Sunday market in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is one of the most famous in Provence and has been running since the 16th century. The town is built around canals, so you’ll see water wheels turning as you walk past the stalls. It’s best known for antiques, and that reputation attracts dealers and buyers from across France.

Market Days and Location

The market runs every Sunday from early morning until around 1 pm. It spreads through the old town along the quays and across the bridges, with antique stalls concentrated near the river. Twice a year, on Easter weekend and in mid-August, the market expands into an international antiques fair with hundreds of dealers.

Food stalls blend in with the antiques, allowing you to pick up local produce, cheese, olives, bread, and wine while browsing vintage linens and old books. Lavender products, baskets, and Provençal textiles are easy to find, but antiques are the big draw. There’s also a floating market once a year in August where vendors sell from traditional flat-bottomed boats.

Insider tips

• Arrive early, around 8:00 a.m., to find parking and select the best antiques. 
• Prices for vintage pieces are rarely marked, so be prepared to negotiate. 
• Take cash for smaller purchases, and if you make a big purchase, most dealers will arrange shipping.

Arles

Arles has a strong Roman heritage, as the city was once an important Roman settlement and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The amphitheater, ancient baths, and cobbled streets set the backdrop for one of the largest markets in Provence.

Market Days and Location

The main market takes place every Saturday morning from 8:00 a.m. until approximately 12:30 p.m. It stretches for almost two kilometers along Boulevard des Lices and Boulevard Georges Clemenceau. On Wednesday mornings, there’s a smaller food market in the same area.

The Saturday market is huge, with around 450 stalls in the summer. Expect local produce, seafood from the nearby Mediterranean, Camargue rice, cheeses, sausages, and herbs. There are also clothes, fabrics, pottery, and antiques mixed in with the food.

Insider tips

• Go early if you want to shop without being squeezed in, as it gets very busy by mid-morning. 
• If you’re driving, arrive before 8 am to find parking close to the boulevards. 
• After shopping, head into the old town for a coffee or visit the amphitheater, which is just a short walk from the market.

Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is a small town with a big reputation. Surrounded by olive groves and the Alpilles hills, it’s known for its Roman ruins, narrow lanes, and the landscapes that inspired Van Gogh. The market here is one of the busiest in the region.

Market Days and Location

The main market is held every Wednesday morning from approximately 8 am to 1 pm. It spreads through the heart of the old town, filling the squares and side streets. There’s also a smaller market on Saturdays, focused mainly on food.

This is a full Provençal market with seasonal fruit and vegetables, breads, cheeses, charcuterie, herbs, and honey. Olive oil is a highlight here, produced in the surrounding groves, along with local wines and tapenade. You’ll also find clothes, baskets, pottery, and linens. Many stalls sell olive oil produced in the surrounding area, along with local wines and tapenade.

Insider tips

• If you’re looking for olive oil, this is one of the best markets to buy it directly from the producers.

Le Coustellet

Le Coustellet is in the heart of the Luberon and has built a strong reputation for its farmers’ market. Unlike some of the larger Provençal markets, this one focuses entirely on local producers, so everything you see comes straight from nearby farms.

Market Days and Location

The market runs every Sunday morning from mid-March to late December, opening at approximately 8:00 a.m. and concluding at 12:30 p.m. It’s held in the village square, just off the main road, and is easy to reach from Gordes, Ménerbes, or Roussillon. During the summer months, there is also an evening market on Wednesday nights from 5 pm to 7 pm.

You’ll find seasonal fruit and vegetables, goat cheese, honey, olive oil, truffles, and fresh herbs. There are also wines from local vineyards and bread from small bakeries. Everything is sold directly by the producers, which is why many chefs in the region shop here.

Insider tips

• Skip the big supermarkets on Saturday and do your full weekly shop here on Sunday; you’ll get better quality and fresher produce. 
• If truffles are on your list, talk to the stallholders; they’ll often share cooking tips or point you to someone who specializes in them. 
• For wine, look out for small vineyards selling by the bottle at excellent prices compared to the tourist shops.

Velleron

Velleron is a true farmers’ market and has earned the title of a “marché d’exception” in France. It’s all about direct-from-the-field produce, so you’ll only find what’s in season and grown locally. This is the kind of market chefs love because the quality is outstanding and the atmosphere is relaxed.

Market Days and Location

The market takes place every evening at 6 pm during the summer season, usually from April to the end of September. In the cooler months, it runs three afternoons a week. It’s held just outside the village center in a covered market space, easy to reach from L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue or Carpentras.

It’s all farm produce. Everything comes from within a strict local radius, and sellers are the growers themselves.

Insider tips

• Bring a basket and go hungry because you’ll want to snack on fresh fruit as you wander.
• If you’re staying in a rental with a kitchen, this is the place to stock up for dinner, especially during tomato season. 

Carpentras

Carpentras has a market tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages, and today it’s one of the most important in Provence. The town is known for truffles, and its winter truffle market attracts chefs and food lovers from all over France. 

Market Days and Location

The main market is every Friday morning. From November to March, the black truffle market runs alongside it, creating a real draw for anyone who loves gourmet food.

You’ll find seasonal fruit and vegetables, local cheeses, charcuterie, herbs, and honey. There are also stalls selling flowers, clothes, Provençal fabrics, and kitchenware. In winter, the truffle section is a world of its own. Brokers, restaurateurs, and serious buyers gather here for one of the most prestigious truffle markets in France.

Insider tips

• If you’re going for truffles, arrive as early as possible because the deals happen fast. 
• Don’t miss the café terraces near Place de l’Horloge; they’re perfect for watching the lively trade while you sip a coffee. 
• If you want to buy truffles but aren’t sure what to look for, ask a vendor to cut one open; the aroma should be strong and earthy.