Article written by Elisa
This article may contain compensated links. Please read disclaimer for more info.
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur• Travel Inspiration
Markets in Aix-en-Provence: Market Days, What to Buy & Local Tips
19/05/2026The markets in Aix-en-Provence are not an attraction – they are a way of life. Every morning, the squares fill with vendors, regulars, and the kind of unhurried market culture that Provence does better than anywhere else in France.
For a visitor, spending a morning here – coffee in hand, no particular plan – is one of the most genuinely local experiences the city offers. This guide covers all the Aix-en-Provence market days, locations, what to buy at each one, and insider tips that will make you feel like a local – even if just for a day.
Last update: May 2026
Markets in Aix-en-Provence (City Center)
Aix-en-Provence hosts many different markets selling various items, and they are all unique and beautiful to visit.
The markets in Aix-en-Provence occupy the main squares in the city center and the famous Cours Mirabeau, Aix’s most lively street. Visit the Aix markets for some shopping, meet the locals in a café, or just sit somewhere to watch people strolling around.
There are other Aix-en-Provence markets held in lesser-known neighborhoods, which are also worth exploring. These markets will be covered in a separate post (work in progress!).
Following are the Aix-en-Provence markets you will find in the city center:
– The Aix-en-Provence Food Market is everyone’s favorite. Seasonal fruits and vegetables, freshly-caught fish, and typical food products from Provence are among the products you will find.
– The Aix-en-Provence Flower Market makes its location even prettier with pots of fragrant, multi-colored flowers. Walking around, you will feel like being in a picture-postcard France!
– You will love the Aix-en-Provence Arts & Crafts Market if you like shopping for home decor, like kitchen tools and local pottery vases. This market also sells items that make for fantastic souvenirs, such as handmade Marseille soap bars.
– The Grand Marché du Cours Mirabeau is the unmissable Aix-en-Provence Flea Market. From colorful textiles to second-hand clothes, every item you can think of it is sold in this Aix-en-Provence Antique Market!
– The Aix-en-Provence Book Market is the dream for literature geeks. In this Aix market, you can purchase new publications and old books. Keep your eyes sharp to spot some rare first editions!
Map of the Aix-en-Provence Markets (City Center)
Click here to view this map with the markets in Aix-en-Provence on Google
GOOD TO KNOW. Places Comtales is the general name given to the “three” squares that form the Quartier Comtal of Aix-en-Provence: Place de Verdun, Place des Prêcheurs, and the streets around the Eglise de la Madeleine (there is no Place Madeleine in Aix-en-Provence).
Aix-en-Provence Market Days
You will be glad to hear that all the days are market days in Aix-en-Provence! Depending on the day of the week, there are different markets in different locations.
Usually, the Aix-en-Provence market times are from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm. During the good season, some markets may last longer.
Monday
Monday is the day of the Food and Fish Market, hosted in the beautiful Place Richelme.
Summer in Provence is a treat for seafood lovers! The Mediterranean coast provides a variety of fresh fish, and the markets in Aix-en-Provence reflect that. Here are some typical options you’ll find:
- Sea bass (loup de mer / branzino)
- Gilthead bream (dorade)
- Red mullet (rouget barbet)
- Sardines (sardine)
- Mackerel (maquereau)
- Tuna (thon)
- Monkfish (lotte)
- John Dory (Saint-Pierre)
Personally, I love the lively buzz of this small market. When I have a moment to spare, I like to sit on the terrace of Le Petit Bistrot, right on the square, with a glass of crisp rosé and enjoy some people watching.
Elisa’s Tip: Markets often label fish by the day’s catch (“pêche du jour”), so in open-air markets like this one, it’s best to arrive early in the morning to get the freshest selection.
Tuesday
On Tuesday, you have many market options. Starting from the Grand Marché of Cours Mirabeau, another one is the popular Aix-en-Provence Food Market, which you will find in two different locations, Place Richelme and Places Comtales.
If you want more markets to explore, stop by the gorgeous Flower Market in Place de l’Hotel de Ville and the Arts & Crafts Market (in Place Forbin and rue Thiers).
In Place des Anciens Combattants d’Afrique du Nord and the upper part of Avenue Victor Hugo, you will find a brocante (Aix-en-Provence’s Flea Market).
Elisa’s Tip: In France, tasting before buying is almost an unspoken tradition at food markets. Cheese and charcuterie stalls often offer small samples, and it’s a great way to discover regional specialties. Spoiler: everything is delicious!
Wednesday and Friday
On Wednesday and Friday, you can visit the Food and Fish Market in Place Richelme and the Flower Market in Places Comtales (Place des Prêcheurs).
In summer, the fruit stalls of the Food Market are bursting with vibrant produce at their peak ripeness, making them far more flavorful than supermarket offerings. The Food Market in Aix-en-Provence is also a great way to discover rare regional varieties, such as Provence white peaches or violet figs.
- In June, you’ll find strawberries, cherries, apricots, peaches and nectarines, as well as early summer plum varieties.
- These fruits continue to fill the stalls in July, joined by melons, early figs, raspberries, and blackberries.
- By August, watermelons make their appearance, adding a refreshing touch to the summer selection.
The Flower Market in Aix-en-Provence is hands down my favorite, especially in summer. From the iconic, fragrant lavender to bright sunflowers, roses, and geraniums, it’s truly a feast for the eyes and the nose. Bouquets of wildflowers, often gathered from local fields, add a rustic Provençal charm to the market.
Elisa’s Tip: Many vendors also sell herbs in bloom, like rosemary, thyme, and basil, which double as aromatic décor. You can also buy lavender in bundles or sachets.
Thursday
Thursday is another busy market day in Aix-en-Provence, perfect for spending the whole morning strolling from one market to another.
The ever-present Food and Flower Markets at Place Richelme and Place de l’Hôtel de Ville are joined by the Food Market at Places Comtales and the Flea Market at Place des Anciens Combattants d’Afrique du Nord and the upper part of Avenue Victor Hugo.
On Thursdays, you can also explore the Grand Marché in Cours Mirabeau and the stunning Arts & Crafts Market at Places Comtales, Place Forbin, and Rue Thiers.
If you are looking for nice Provençal souvenirs to bring home, the Arts & Crafts Market of Aix-en-Provence is the place to go. Look for herbes de Provence (dried herb blends used in traditional Provençal cooking), lavender products, olive oil, local honey, confitures & jams in jars, Marseille soap, and herbal teas & infusions.
Calissons – almond and candied melon sweets – are a specialty of Aix-en-Provence.
Elisa’s Tip: The outdoor markets of Aix-en-Provence are a safe place to buy Marseille soap. To help you spot authentic soap and avoid cheap imitations, keep these simple tips in mind:
- Authentic Marseille soap is cube-shaped or rectangular and usually stamped on top. The stamp often includes Savon de Marseille, the percentage of oil (e.g., 72%), and the manufacturer’s name. If it doesn’t have a stamp, it’s best to avoid it.
- Bright colors or fancy packaging usually indicate additives or imitation.
- Strong perfumes often signal added fragrances, which are not traditional.
Saturday
You’re in for a fun Saturday, with all the Aix-en-Provence markets in full swing – you’ll be spoiled for choice!
– The Food Market in Place Richelme and Places Comtales.
– The Flower Market in the beautiful Place Hotel de Ville.
– The Grand Marché in Cours Mirabeau.
– The Flea Market at Place des Anciens Combattants d’Afrique du Nord and theupper part of Avenue Victor Hugo.
– The Art & Crafts Market in Places Comtales and Place Forbin with Rue Thiers.
Elisa’s Tip: Surely, Saturday is a long day for market lovers! If you need a sweet break, Aux Presso on Place de l’Hôtel de Ville serves delicious crêpes with your favorite coffee… and outdoor seating with a perfect view of the bustling market.
Sunday
Sunday is a special day as you will find the Book Market in Place de l’Hotel de Ville, but only on the first Sunday of the month. This is why the Flower Market, usually in Place de l’Hotel de Ville on Sundays, moves to Places Comtales on the first Sunday of the month.
On Sunday, you can also shop at the Food and Fish Market in Place Richelme.
Elisa’s Tip: Speaking of the first Sunday of the month, if you are in Aix-de-Provence, don’t miss the live performances by local artists at Place de l’Université. There’s also a free street concert on the third Sunday of each month!
Aix-en-Provence Markets Practical Tips
– Arrive before 10a.m. – the best produce and flowers go early
– Bring cash – most vendors don’t accept cards
– Best café mid-morning: La Brûlerie Richelme (1 Place Richelme) – serving coffee since 1983, this family-owned shop roasts its beans in-house (more than 120 varieties), filling the neighborhood with the irresistible aroma of fresh coffee. The outdoor seating offers a perfect view of the farmers’ market just outside.
– Bring your own bags or a lightweight basket, and refuse plastic bags. Supermarkets like Monoprix sell stylish recycled bags for just a couple of euros.
– Be mindful of pickpockets. Keep your purse or bag in front of you at all times.
And there you have it – a mini guide to the markets of Aix-en-Provence, including when to find them and some local tips to make the most of your visit. Enjoy exploring the different markets, whether you’re hunting for fresh food or a charming souvenir.
