at-the-marche.JPGWhen 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.

Monday
– Bédoin, Cadenet, Cavaillon, Nimes (antiques), Stes-Maries-de-la-Mer

TuesdayAix-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

ThursdayAix-en-Provence, Beaucaire, Isle sur la Sorgue, Le Lavandou, Orange, Roussillon

FridayBonnieux, Carpentras, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Lourmarin, Moustiers-Ste-Marie, Remoulins

SaturdayAix-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

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 stationon 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

Map of Provence and Cote d’Azur