ReddVelvet

Hi guys, just curious to know what your favorite markets (flea,food,flower etc) are in and around Paris and Provence? Will be in Paris in Sept. and am only familiar with Rue Cler and the flea mkt in cligancourt?

swalter518

Arles has a wonderful market of food, flowers and homemade goods. It was my favorite although Nice has a wonderful one as well but it was extremely crowded with tour groups when I was there.

mamc

Four years ago, my sisters and I went to Paris and Provence and, while in Provence, to the Arles market. It is the most extensive and beautiful market I have ever seen. It had everything but the flowers and the food were just beautiful and amazing. Food included produce, meats (live and dressed), seafood, prepared items, olives of every description, prepared foods - everything. I have been to many markets in London, Paris, rural France, and Italy but have yet to be as wowed as we were in Arles.

epi

My favorite Paris market is the roving market Richard lenoir which is on Sunday and Thursday. It is quite large and definitely not just there for tourists - excellent cheeses. Last time we were there, some north african food stalls had joined the typically French food stalls.

adrienne

Ile-sur-la-Sorgue (Sunday) and Apt (Saturday). Lots of wonderful food and linens. Ile-sur-la-Sorgue also has an antiques market.

sherry1

Which markets are "just for tourists?"

skatterfly

In Paris, I like the Marche Buci. It's mostly boutique food and cheese and bread shops, though... not really street vendors like an open-air market. This next trip I'm going to try out the "bio" organic farmers' market that is supposedly on Sundays in the 7th. And I suppose I will check out the rue Cler, though I've never been to that.

In Provence, I have to agree that the Arles market is incredible. Herbs. Honey. Nuts. Cheeses. Meats roasting on a spit. Crafts. Lavender. Olives. Spices. Handcrafts. Amazing!

logandog

The Rue du Buci market in Paris is my favorite. You can put together one hell of a picnic in a few blocks.

Flyboy

I love Buci too. A relatively quick, but unusual market is the Paris bird market ("Marche aux oiseaux&quot on Sundays right outside the Cite' metro stop on Ile de la Cite'. (The rest of the week, it is a nice flower market.)

pat

Cadenet has a good Sat market.

ReddVelvet

Thanks guys for your input. Are there any markets that would be similiar to the one in Florence where they have clothes, scarves, handbags ?

Flyboy

You could check out the Le marche au Puces de St-Ouen. Here's a website:

http://www.les-puces.com/index.html

It's a large place so be sure to explore past the initial area that you will see. You can get there on the metro. (It's not a great part of Paris and I'm not even sure I like the market itself all that much, but if you have the time, it can be an interesting diversion.)

jody

In Paris, the Saxe-Bretuil market at Place de Bretuil within sight of the Eiffel tower on Thus and Saturdays.It's a true street market...no shops like Rue cler or Rue de Buci..and is best on saturdays when providers come in from the countryside..from as far as Normandy !

Peteralan

My choice would be Uzes...not strictly Provence but not far. Fabulous food markets on Saturday and flower markets on Sunday.

ninasdream

I think Montmarte would be the area to get scarves. My favorite marche in Paris was Moufferat the beautiful produce stalls cheese chops and friendly people. I was not as impressed with Marche Monge, but that one would be great if you had a kitchen and wanted to cook. They also had stalls with beads and jewelry and woven items, and African motif fabrics.

I love the market at Arles with its black iron railing, the peaks of white cloth tents, and the beautiful shop windows with sacks of herbs and jars of jams and honey, soaps and scents.

clarson

The Wednesday market in St. Remy.

WhistlerAl

Just returned from Provence, and liked the St Remy, and Gordes markets, but nobody, hands down, does a market like the Finns. Helsinki's outdoor market is amazing , and the incredible part is that it runs every day of the year, and they set up at 7 am, take it all down at 1pm , clean the whole area, and then set up again at 3 for the rest of the day. sorry, this is off topic, but anyone that has been there will have to agree. Cheers, Al

Gretchen

The markets in Paris are not tourist related--it is the Parisian way of life to shop for their food and go home and cook it. We love the Sunday market at Pl. Monge--and Richard Lenoir is wonderful also. The foie gras guy at the Monge market is a trip--delicious at that!! He takes VISA--when I heard those words I knew I was a goner.
For reasonable antiques/flea market the Saturday and Sunday Vanves flea market is really good. Clignancourt is daunting in size and price.
On the first Wednesday the Arles market is also an antique flea market--EXCELLENT.
We once ran into a market that had great scarves and handbags along with the food (and actually many of the markets do have this) but I can't place where it was--maybe over toward the 16th. There is a market also at pl. Auteuil but not sure of the days.
For antiques look in Pariscope for brocantes that might be there when you are.

BTilke

The Auteuil market is Wednesdays and Saturdays, I believe. I think it's one of the best food markets in Paris, and often has live music. There are several very good food shops (similar to the rue Cler shops, but even better IMHO) clustered near the marketplace (walk down rue Fontaine about 1 block and you'll find them on the right).

jddet

I agree with Jody. The Saxe-Breuteuil market is a wonderful Parisian experience. I always stay in the 7th and have shopped this market, which is open Thursday and Saturday mornings for years. In addition to wonderful food, you never know what else you'll come across. One year I found the most adorable children's clothes. Another year I found high-quality, bargain-priced pashminas. This past February I found the coolest buffet platters. Do go if you get the chance.