A holiday in Provence is never complete without at least one visit to the local market.

Seillans and many of the nearby villages have, for many, been frequented by artists, and this is a theme that prevails in many of the local shops and markets. The markets themselves are colourful and vibrant – a great place to people watch if you get tired of tasting dozens of different varieties of olives or cheese! The market in Seillans is on Wednesday. The bigger market in Fayence (15 minutes) is a particular favourite, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays throughout the season. Get there early to secure a parking place! The Cote d’Azur also offers several much larger markets at Antibes and Nice on various days of the week  and Le Muy on Sundays. There is also a vibrant market in Ventigmiglia just over the border into Italy dubbed “the bargain shopping of Italy” on Fridays and Saturdays. Over the last weekend of every October,  St Tropez holds a Grand Braderie- a big sale, where the tiny streets of St Tropez are full of stalls whilst all the shops reduce their prices too, attracting many thousands each year.

MARKET DAYS (subject to change)

FAYENCE – Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings (Sat the biggest market, great roast chickens but need to get there early to get one!)

BARGEMON – Thursday morning

FREJUS – Wednesday and Saturday morning

St RAPHAEL – every morning near the port

LE MUY – Tuesday and Saturday mornings

SAINTE MAXIME – Thursday mornings: we love spending the morning in the market then jumping on the ferry for lunch and the afternoon in St Tropez.

ST TROPEZ – Tuesday and Saturday mornings

CANNES – Marche Forville, this is definitely worth a visit. Mornings until 12.30 is the food market, this is my favourite food market. Mondays are reserved for the antiques market. Cafes dotted around the side of the market for a nice wee cafe creme after you have shopped! We have an eski at home and ice packs in the freezer so you can keep your items fresh until you get back to the villa. If you spend the rest of the day in Cannes we would definitely go to Bobo for lunch, organic, sustainable, delicious! (21 Rue du Commandant Andre, tel 04 93999733), booking a must.

NICE – market is every day except Mondays when it is the antiques market. If you fancy a day in the old town we would suggest La Petite Maison for lunch which is one of the restaurants around the market.

ANTIBES – fabulous food market every morning, direct access to the Picasso museum.  Antique, clothing markets on other days.  Check google information for up to date dates/times.

PEYMEINADE (15k) – Monday

ST PAUL en FORET – Monday

Italy

VENTIMIGLIA – Friday mornings: definitely worth a trip, drive or take the train as parking in the summer can be a challenge!

SAN REMO – Saturday morningTuesday, Thursday & Saturday – Fayence

Wednesday – Seillans