Most French villages have a bi-weekly outdoor food/flower market, (cities have several throughout the week) when coming to France your visit would not be complete if you did not take a morning and go through a market. The markets are often located in the center of town, making it easier for those living in town to go, without the need of their car.
The atmosphere at the markets are fabulous, recipes exchanged, people watching pleasurable, food fresh and locally grown, a variety of locally made objects and specialities are available, and historical color comes alive... The French market place is a French tradition that fortunately is famously popular as much as it was hundreds of years ago.
If you are in the Provence/Luberon area some of the best markets:
Also in the summer there is: Velleron - every night at 6pm.
(For more information and to find more Provencal markets, click on any of the towns above.)
White eggplants.
Three Euros a kilo.
From France.
Category 1.
Every fruit and vegetable is labeled, it is a law:Where it comes from and what category (organic or not, what pesticides used...)
When you come to a fruit and vegetable stall, first see if there is a line, if so go to the end and wait your turn. Do not touch or collect the fruits and vegetables until it is your turn. Most stalls have baskets piled up on the side, take one to select and put your fruit and vegetables in. When you are done gathering what you want, and hand them to the salesperson, then they will weigh them and tell you how much you owe.
You can ask for recipes, or what would go best with whatever you are planning for dinner... I like to ask the salesperson to pick me a melon, or tomatoes, or a fruit by saying, "I plan on having (insert whatever it is) tonight, which is the ripest for this evening?"
The salespeople are passionate about what they do, and they will tell you anything and everything you need to know about their wares, and give you extra if you engage a conversation.
Do you know that generally French people use a table cloth everyday, and cloth napkins?
Yeah they do.
To most Americans, what seems formal ware for sharing a meal, is standard fare in France.
Tablecloths and linens are plentiful at the markets.
At the French market you can buy prepared food such as tapenades, pate, crepes, and delicacies such as marinated artichokes.
Cheese is sold,
Olive oils,
Wines,
and sometimes antiques, but usually not.
Serious shopper, serious passenger.
Lavender is plentiful in July.
Just like Truffles are in December.
Or Mushrooms in September.
Seasonal temptations.
Fashion at the French market.
Little leather purse.
Flip flops.
Jewelry.
Chic hair do.
Stylish top, all the rage at the market, 25 Euros, varied colors.
"TU" means one size fits all.
South of France.
Cotton.
Polka dots: Navy, beige or brown.
White cotton pants.
Top 35 Euros, three sizes: S/M/L.
Note the big pocket.
Provencal style fabrics:
Common colors: Green, Red, and Yellow.
The most famous fabric in Provence is Souleiado. Souleiado designs are inspired by traditional "indienne" patterns that were created in the Provence, the south of France, in the mid seventeenth century.
Classic French style at the open market.
Relaxed, casual chic, Provencal style at the market place.
Lavender bundles for sale in July... Cotignac... if you don't need vegetables at least go to the French market just for the sheer pleasure of eye candy.
Ratatouille?
Do you see how inexpensive endives are?
I like the old chalkboard signs the best.
The cherries too...
French Husband and our friend Vlad went to the market... Did they buy cheese? Did they buy baguettes? Did they buy vegetables or fruit? Or lavender?
Hell no, they bought beer. They are tradition breakers. What would you prefer Heinkens or 1664?
A cold beer... well they weren't so we stuck them in the freezer.
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Posted by: Brother Mathew | 05 July 2012 at 09:00 AM
lol, I thought of you (and my other brothers sooooooooo much when I saw the beer in their hands. In fact I said 'oh this is a post for Mat, Mark Marty and Zane!'
Posted by: French la Vie | 05 July 2012 at 09:57 AM
Fabulous photos Corey, I can smell the rich aromas of the flowers, the garlic and the veggies !! I adore the clothes in the markets at the moment, the linen tops and comfy trousers. Love that short white haircut. xx
Posted by: a | 05 July 2012 at 10:00 AM
our open markets here do not do justice to the beauty of your french open markets..the colors, the signs, the richness of the colors, the freshness of the latest crops and the beautiful ladies dressed so chicly ...
thanks again for transporting me back to the hustle and bustle of the open air markets.
Posted by: Lana Kloch | 05 July 2012 at 10:23 AM
Loved the tour through the market and seeing the fashion show. Sounds like DH shopped with priorities in mind!
Posted by: Jojo | 05 July 2012 at 12:41 PM
Sadly I don't like beer. There are some, that taste a bit of honey and I can drink about half a glass of those types, but usually after half a glass the bitterness is too much for me. I know and I believe that there is nothing like a pint of cold beer on a hot day, but I really don't enjoy it. So I go for a white wine spritzer instead.
I LOVE the short haircut of the white haired lady.
Posted by: Zosia | 05 July 2012 at 12:51 PM
Eh oui, boys will be boys!
Posted by: Monica | 05 July 2012 at 01:30 PM
I prefer BUD light platinum. Mmmmm
Posted by: judyo | 05 July 2012 at 03:04 PM
Love the French market. Our "farmers market" on every Saturday is a bit sad compared to your outdoor markets. But we do try to buy local from the farmers; the economy affects them just as it does the big commercial retailers, probably more so! So BUY LOCAL everyone!!
Loved the white top with the white pants. Wish I could find something like the top here in Calif.
Posted by: Casual Cottage Chic | 05 July 2012 at 03:19 PM
Love the French Market Style! Loose and flowing and so cool in the heat, I'll bet.
I didn't plant a single herb or tomato in my garden this year (I'm on gardening strike), so I'll be visiting our Farmer's Market more often. Let somebody else do the watering and the fretting and the bug patrol...and I'll just fill my basket every Saturday and go!
Posted by: Amy Kortuem | 05 July 2012 at 04:40 PM
Stella Artois or Bohemia. A dear friend often wears tops like the polka dot one and the one the lady with the yellow skirt is wearing. A trend setter and we didn't even know it!
Posted by: martina | 05 July 2012 at 04:55 PM
love the image that ended and broke all the rules. i miss france
Posted by: nancy | 05 July 2012 at 05:08 PM
How fun to visit the markets with you, though it is only in pictures. I have been to several of these markets and it was pure pleasure. Love the fashions I see here too. I bought several articles of clothing at one of the markets and found two bed sheets that I love.
Posted by: Marilyn | 05 July 2012 at 06:04 PM
FUN! Even Yann's arms are model handsome. Good gracious, yes, he could have modeled.
Posted by: Shelley Noble | 05 July 2012 at 06:27 PM
I LOVE LOVE the white pant outfit with the tangerine bag. LOVE IT!!!!!!!!
Posted by: carol | 05 July 2012 at 06:58 PM
I prefer Boulevard Wheat.
Posted by: Sharon Penney-Morrison | 05 July 2012 at 07:17 PM
I'm sold, when will you be picking me up at the airport?
Posted by: Jenna | 05 July 2012 at 07:27 PM
Come on, 2015 -- when I'll be there next!
My favorite photo is the doggie and lavender in the baby stroller-thing. And the all-white outfit with lovely constellation-like necklace.
I can almost smell the smells!
Posted by: Rebecca in the pacific northwest | 05 July 2012 at 08:33 PM
cloth napkins? absolutely, paper plates? never!!! cannot take the french upbringing away!!!
I may not live in provence, but am ready to go out and pick the lavender I have planted years ago here in Ct...
Annie v.
Posted by: Annie v. | 05 July 2012 at 09:50 PM
Just once,I wish I could have the courage to cut my hair very short like the woman at the market. Cut it all off - to two inches long!! I love her white hair too. Bravo!
Something else, I miss having a tan. Too many years of tanning abuse in my youth, I must now be careful. ah sigh.....perhaps too many rules?
The boys are fun.
Posted by: Tracy | 05 July 2012 at 11:47 PM
One question about the beer? How many were in there? I guess that's why obesity is not an issue in France. Anyway I love French markets...Markets anywhere for that matter. I love grocery stores in different countries too. It's so fun to explore food in another culture.
Posted by: momof5 | 05 July 2012 at 11:55 PM
Fashion and food - my two favorite topics. Casual chic is my style in linen. Shopping in a local market is a real treat. However, we live in the 6th largest US city but have two stores we like for their fresh vegetables. One is "Fresh and Easy" chain owned by a UK firm so it has a European flavor and the other is Sprouts (this store is expanding across the US for those interested in the best fresh food of any grocery store).
We often say - we don't eat - we dine. Every night, we use a nice place setting, fabric napkins and table cloth - never paper plates or paper napkins. Come on over for dinner and we'll supply the beer. Thanks for the tour it really gives a feel of daily life in Provence.
Posted by: Ann | 06 July 2012 at 05:16 AM
I just 'love' that French husband of yours! What a pair - you and he! BLESSINGS!
Posted by: Michele | 06 July 2012 at 07:07 AM
What a great tour through the market! Loved the pix and the descriptions. I always check the prices on the blackboards when I see your photos. And I can't wait until next week to buy one of those cute tops!!
Posted by: Dawne | 06 July 2012 at 09:54 AM
Ahh a cold beer-"I,ll have what they are having, please" + grand post. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
Posted by: Peggy Braswell | 06 July 2012 at 04:30 PM
Dear Corey,
Thank you for the shopping trip. I pinned my favorite
spots. Please let me go again. Hugs and kisses to you all.
Posted by: Carolyn | 06 July 2012 at 06:38 PM
This is an exquisite post!!! This is almost a vacation! Beautiful--thank you!
Posted by: susan | 06 July 2012 at 08:08 PM
I also love the funky white haired lady..her outfit is great...You should sell some of the lovely loose tops that you had in the photos...they would go over very well especially in the US...It's very "Lagenlook" style & it has just started to catch on in the US...Think about it<3
Posted by: Terri | 07 July 2012 at 01:51 AM
Just came back from the market in Uzes...goodness, it has gotten so crowded!!! Busloads of tourists clogging the Place aux Herbes, very difficult to get my shopping done, but fun, too! And the STRAWBERRIES alone are totally worth the crowds, beautiful, tiny and sweet...just the way they are supposed to be. Should have bought more...
Posted by: rebeccanyc | 07 July 2012 at 11:58 AM