Get to know the quintessential Provençal city through its markets with our Aix-en-Provence guide.
Perhaps no city is as synonymous with its markets as Aix-en-Provence in the South of France. Several markets take over the centre of town on most days of the week and it’s hard to tell apart where one starts and where the other one ends. But there’s order to the chaos, and our guide is here to help you.
Place Richelme Market
The Provencal market at Place Richelme in Aix-en-Provence is a daily market with vendors selling the region’s finest local products. Visitors can find fresh fruits and vegetables, French cheeses, ready-made foods, meats, poultry, and dried sausages. The market also offers herbs and spices, including the famous Herbes de Provence blend, as well as lavender products. Popular among locals and tourists alike, this market is an ideal place to discover authentic Provencal flavours and pick up souvenirs from the region.
Where: Place Richelme
When: Monday – Sunday, 8am-1pm
What to buy:
- Gold Rush apples & apple juice: try the delicious Gold Rush apples from the apple vendor and don’t skip the fresh apple juice made of them without any additives.
- Lavender products such as the pillow sprayfrom Distillerie Sainte Victoire, lavender honey and the lavender pillows made with Toile de Jouy fabric
- Fried courgette flowers: If you see fresh fried courgette flowers (beignets de fleurs de courgettes), don’t miss them! The golden crispy exterior contrasts beautifully with the softness of the flower petals inside. They are the best served fresh, so eat them right away.
Fried courgette and lavender pillows at Place Richelme Market.
Places des comtales Market
“Places des comtales” is not the official name of the square, the Places des comtales market takes place on Place de Verdun and Place des Prêcheurs.
The Provencal market at Places des comtales in Aix-en-Provence is a food market operating on the main market days of Aix-en-Provence, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Similarly to the market on Place Richelme, there’s a huge variety of fresh produce, with an even bigger selection of prepared food. You’ll find truffle products, sweet and savoury jams and marmalades, fruit jelly (pâte de fruits), savoury pies made with saffron, French cheeses, ratatouille, olives and olive oil, fish and seafood, handmade pasta, poultry and meat, dried sausages, herbs and spices including the famous Herbes de Provence blend, soap and other lavender products and more. The market has something for both locals and tourists, so it’s a great spot not only to get ingredients for your next meal but also to score authentic Provencal souvenirs.
Where: Place de Verdun and Place des Prêcheurs
When: Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday, 8am-1pm
What to buy:
- Oysters: I had the best oysters of my life at Bertero & Co. When I visited Aix-en-Provence they had their stand just off of Place des Prêcheurs, in front of cafe Le Forum.
- Pâte de fruits: The pâte de fruits made with tomatoes and basil is the perfect topping for your baguette along with a little bit of fresh goat cheese.
Oysters and colourful produce at Place Richelme Market
More markets on main market days
Artisan market
Where: rue Thiers, Place Verdun and at the top of Cours Mirabeau
When: All year round, every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday between 8.30 am and 1 pm.
What to buy: Handmade accessories and jewellery, kids’ clothes, olive wood cutting boards
Flea market
Where: At the intersection of Cours Mirabeau and Avenue Victor Hugo, overlooking the Fontaine de la Rotonde
When: All year round, every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday between 8.30 am and 1 pm.
What to buy: old books and records, vintage porcelain and glassware, paintings and all kinds of bric-a-brac
Clothes market
Where: Cours Mirabeau
When: All year round, every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday between 8.30 am and 1 pm.
What to buy: Clothes, underwear, shoes – mostly imported
Left: The flea market near Fontaine de la Rotonde. Right: The textile market on Cours Mirabeau
Picture perfect
For a bit of exercise and good views, hike up to Field of the Painters (Terrain des Peintres), a location with a view of Mont Sainte Victoire that inspired several artists over the centuries. Cézanne’s studio is on the way up there, but it’s currently closed until Spring 2025.
Where to eat
Maison Weibel They have the best pastries and cakes for breakfast or a sweet treat during the day! The Aixois are not early risers, so if you go there a bit before 8am you can snatch the best tables overlooking the market vendors setting up their stalls on Place Richelme. 🥐 (Address: 2 Rue Chabrier, Aix-en-Provence)
La Meduse A small plate-natural wine type of bar/restaurant. You can stop by to share a bottle of wine with friends or sit and have dinner. My favourite dish was the hummus and halloumi plate. It’s tiny so it’s best to make a reservation. 🐙 (Address: 10 Rue Portalis, Aix-en-Provence)
La Kemia Another small plate restaurant with natural wines. They use almost exclusively regional ingredients and make French/Provencal classics tailored to the modern palate. Their boeuf bourguignon was a religious experience and went down smooth with a glass of natural Burgundy red. 🍷 (Address: 44 Rue de la Verrerie, Aix-en-Provence)
Left: Coffee and pastry at Maison Weibel, overlooking the market on Place Richelme. Right: hummus and halloumi at La Meduse.
More Aix-en-Provence tips
Market tour For the most authentic market experience, visit with a local! Edouard from Ted Aix Tours is the best local guide. He personally knows many of the vendors and will show you the best of the market. 🍅
Fragonard Fragonard is an iconic French perfumery, one of the oldest from Grasse, the world’s perfume capital. Their shop in Aix has all the scents, and their home accessories and one-of-a-kind clothes—including robes, breezy cotton blouses, and dresses—also make for great souvenirs. 🌸 (Address: 13 Rue Maréchal Foch, Aix-en-Provence)
