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Food & Drinks• Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Best Markets in Provence: Market Days, Locations, and What to Expect
18/05/2025Markets of Provence: Food and Local Culture
One of the best things to do in Provence is to visit the local markets. Vibrant and authentic, each town has its own market—and, in some cases, even multiple markets on different days of the week — selling a variety of products.
Strolling around the Provençal markets, you can shop for everything, from fresh produce from nearby farms to locally-made items and antiques.
Start your morning early with a coffee and a stroll through one of the best markets in Provence for a perfect getaway.
Provence Market Days
DAY | LOCATIONS |
|---|---|
Monday | Aix-en-Provence, Fish Market (Marseille) |
Tuesday | |
Wednesday | Aix-en-Provence, Fish Market (Marseille), Les Halles d’Avignon, Weekly Market (Cassis), Coustellet (Marché Paysan du Luberon) |
Thursday | Aix-en-Provence, Fish Market (Marseille), Les Halles d’Avignon, Forcalquier (Marché Paysan du Luberon), Lauris (Marché Paysan du Luberon) |
Friday | |
Saturday | Aix-en-Provence, Fish Market (Marseille), Les Halles d’Avignon, Marché Paysan (Cassis), Arles, Cadenet (Marché Paysan du Luberon), Pertuis (Marché Paysan du Luberon) |
Sunday | Aix-en-Provence, Apt Market, Fish Market (Marseille), Les Halles d’Avignon, Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Antiques Market, Coustellet (Marché Paysan du Luberon), La Bastidonne (Marché Paysan du Luberon), Saint-Martin-de-la-Brasque (Marché Paysan du Luberon) |
Provence Markets Map
Best Markets in Provence, France
Aix-En-Provence Markets
The lovely city of Aix-en-Provence boasts a fascinating mix of traditional and modern elements, and it is renowned for its several Provençal markets.
I have a full guide about the Markets in Aix-en-Provence, with their different locations and days. If you are short of time, however, here are the must-visit markets in Aix-en-Provence:
Food Market: to shop fresh produce from the sea and the land, as well as typical food products from Provence. You will find this market daily in Place Richelme and on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays in Places Comtales.
Marché aux Fleurs: where you can find all sorts of plants and flowers. You will find this market in Place de l’Hôtel de Ville on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, while the market in Places Comtales can be visited on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
Marché Textile, Artisanat, et Brocante: to shop for handmade and artisan objects. You will find this market on Tuesdays in Place Forbin and Rue Thiers, and on Thursdays in Places Comtales, Place Forbin, and Rue Thiers.
Grand Marché du Cours Mirabeau: the Old Town’s flea market, perfect to buy second-hand clothes. You will find this market on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Usually, the Aix-en-Provence market times are from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. During the good season, some markets may last longer.
Marché d’Apt
Apt is a charming town in the Luberon offering an authentic atmosphere, Roman roots, scenic surroundings, and one of the oldest markets in Provence.
The Marché d’Apt dates back to the 12th century and is recognized as one of France’s 100 exceptional markets. One of the most visited markets in Provence, it runs from Place de la Bouquerie, passing in front of the town hall, then through the pedestrian streets and squares, and ends on Cours Lauze de Perret.
Winding through the narrow streets of the old town, it’s a fantastic spot to discover local produce straight from the farm, particularly artisanal cheeses and high-quality olive oil, as well as crafts and antiques. This market is open every Sunday morning, year-round.
Marseille Fish Market in the Vieux-Port
Marseille is a beautiful city on the Mediterranean, boasting a perfect blend of history, culture, and charm. There are numerous reasons to visit Marseille, from its iconic food scene to the scenic Calanques National Park.
If there’s one market you should visit while in Marseille, it’s the Marché aux Poissons or fish market. Located on Quai du Port, in the iconic Vieux-Port, local fishermen come here to sell their catch of the day.
Besides selling the freshest produce, the fishermen will offer you a wide choice of fish, skinned and filleted on the spot, to make your life easier once at home. This is a busy market, a kind of tourist attraction, that attracts a large crowd every morning to buy fresh produce, but also to photograph the fish stalls and their unusual sellers.
The Fish Market in Marseille is open every morning, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Les Halles d’Avignon Market
With a magical riverside setting, traveling to Avignon is like stepping into a fairy tale of medieval charm, rich history, and Provençal beauty. Besides the famous Palace of the Popes and the Pont d’Avignon, while in town, don’t miss the main market.
Les Halles d’Avignon takes Place on Place Pie, in the heart of the city. It is a vibrant indoor market known for its stunning vertical green wall. It hosts around 40 stalls selling top-quality local and regional food products.
Les Halles d’Avignon is open every morning, Tuesday through Sunday.
Cassis’ Weekly Market
Visiting Cassis is like discovering a postcard-perfect gem on the Mediterranean coast. From the stunning Calanques to its charming pastel-color harbor to the local production of AOC Cassis wine, Cassis makes for a fantastic getaway.
There are many picturesque Provençal markets in Cassis, hosted at multiple points around the town. The main market, however, is the Weekly Market, held on Wednesdays and Friday mornings at Place Baragnon. At this market, you will find around 60 stalls selling delicious food produce, from freshly caught seafood to charcuterie to local cheeses. Here, you can also shop for non-food products, such as flowers and plants, clothing, and furniture.
Other markets worth exploring are the Fish Market (every day along Quai des Baux), the Marché Paysan (on Saturdays at Place Clemenceau), and the Night Market (daily in the Old Town during summer).
Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue Antiques Market
In the heart of Provence, l’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is a picturesque town woven with canals, old waterwheels, and flower-lined walkways. An easy drive from Avignon, Isle-sur-la-Sorgue boasts a relaxed vibe and a fantastic antique market.
The Marché de L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is located along Quai Jean Jaurès. Stroll from one side to the other of the market, exploring the abundance of regional crafts at 250 stalls selling a wide range of goods, including antiques, second-hand treasures, vintage furniture, and textiles. This market is renowned for its antique dealers, making it a treasure trove of antiquities.
This market is open every Sunday and is a must-visit!
Arles Market
Visiting Arles is like stepping into a living canvas where Roman history, Provençal charm, and artistic legacy blend seamlessly. Boasting some of the best-preserved Roman monuments in France, Arles is also a creative hotspot, home to an art center and numerous galleries. The town also inspired over 300 of Van Gogh’s works.
The Marché d’Arles spans for 2.5 km, from Boulevard des Lices to Boulevard Clémenceau. This market features 450 stalls selling a variety of typical and organic Provençal produce. Here, you can buy six signature AOP regional products: Camargue bull and rice, Vallée des Baux wine and olive oil, green olives and black olives, and Crau lamb.
The Provençal Market of Arles is held on Saturday mornings.
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Marchés Paysans Du Luberon
Les Marchés Paysans du Luberon is a quality label given to eight markets located in the Luberon Natural Regional Park, near Avignon. These markets have very strict rules regarding the vendors who can participate and the products they sell.
Farmers (or their families) sell directly and exclusively agricultural products from their farm, and their products are of high quality and comply with health regulations. There are often animations around these markets, and some of these towns also host picturesque festivals.
If all this inspires you, here are the 8 Marchés Paysans du Lubéron that you can miss when visiting this area:
Apt (30 producers): Cours Lauze de Perret on Tuesday mornings all year round. This market is different from the larger market described above. In summer, on the second Tuesday of each month, there’s entertainment with aperitifs based on a product: cherries in June, fruits in July, melons in August, and wine and cheese in September.
Cadenet (13 producers): Boules pitch on Saturday mornings, from mid-April to early November. Around the market, there’s the Music Festival in June, the Garlic Festival in mid-July, the Pesto Festival in mid-August, and the Castagnade Festival (chestnut festival) in early November
Coustellet (80 producers): Market Square on Sunday mornings (from April to Christmas), and on Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (from late May to mid-September). Don’t miss the Basket Festival in mid-July, the Pig Festival in the third week of August, the Scarecrow Festival in late October, and the Christmas Market in late December.
Forcalquier (15 producers): Place du Bourguet on Thursday afternoons all year round. Here, there’s a bigger market on Mondays, the biggest of the region with more than 200 stalls, but this is a different market.
La Bastidonne (12 producers): Rue des Ferrages on Saturday mornings from mid-June to the end of August, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Lauris (18 producers): Avenue de la Gare and Café Villageois on Thursday afternoons all year round, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in summer and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in winter.
Pertuis (10 producers): Place Garcin on Saturday mornings all year round. Don’t miss the Melon Festival in early August.
Saint-Martin-de-la-Brasque (30 producers): Place du Village on Sunday mornings, from May to the end of October. In summer, there’s entertainment with orchestra and apéritifs.
Tips For Visiting the Provençal Markets
The first tip is to start your market day early. Provence’s markets come alive in the morning, and arriving early helps you avoid both the crowds and the midday heat during the summer months.
You should also remember to bring cash in euros with you, as some smaller vendors may not accept cards.
I also suggest embracing the local spirit by carrying a reusable bag or, better yet, a classic Provençal basket – practical and stylish. This will help you avoid using plastic bags and make your shopping experience more sustainable.
The final tip I can offer is to engage with vendors. Even if you know little French, exchanging a few words with local vendors is one of the best ways to truly immerse yourself in the cultural experience in the markets of Provence.