89 Best Places to Shop in Provence, France

Under these graceful vaulted arches, built in the 1850s as part of the Sainte Marie de la Major cathedral and now incorporated into one of La Joliette's three new shopping complexes, you'll find lovely cafés and shops, including the design giant Habitat; French perfumer Fragonard; and chocolatier L'Espérantine, specializing in chocolates made with olive oil. The superb Les Halles de la Major gourmet food court has a tempting variety of foods for snacks, meals, or coffee breaks, which you can enjoy indoors or on the wide outdoor terrace with superb views of the J4 Pier and the harbor. Check the website for details on the weekly program of arts events.

This concept store exhibits the works of artists and designers in a space as creative as the treasures on display.

The most picturesque shop specializing in calissons is the venerable bakery Béchard, founded in 1870.

This is a one-stop shop for everything from chic housewares, Savon de Marseille, and candles scented with local essential oils to jewelry, clothing, and accessories. You can also buy the house wines and freshly pressed olive oils (no longer pressed on the premises but just outside of town) in any size or container.

At this family-owned confectioner, renowned for Provençal sweets since 1948, you can sample all the regional favorites, including candied fruits (a specialty of the Vaucluse since Roman times), cakes and small pastries, chocolates, calissons d’Aix, guimauves (flavored marshmallows), and more. The charming on-site café also serves tea or coffee, along with savory lunch dishes.

The longtime local favorite boulangerie–patisserie is the best place to buy yet another of Nîmes's many specialties: the jaw-breaking croquant, a confection made with roasted almonds and caramelized sugar.

This Aix institution since 1954 is chock-full of sweets that look good enough to immortalize in a still life, let alone eat. Its version of the iconic Provençal calisson is hands down the best around.

A curated selection of sophisticated, superchic European-designed clothes, shoes, scarves, jewelry, and accessories for women is displayed in a soaring 18th-century space.

Part museum, part lighting design studio, this extraordinary boutique in Gargas, 6 km (4 miles) northwest of Apt, provides the chandeliers for France's best houses, including Versailles and the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. Every imaginable style of lighting from any period is represented here: gorgeous chandeliers, appliqués, sconces, you name it. The mix includes genuine antiques and replicas as well as original creations, and the rarest of the bunch can reach well into the six figures. Shipping is available.

This ultrachic concept store is the best boutique in town for original, up-to-the-minute French and European designer fashions, with a curated selection of clothing, shoes, accessories, perfume, and beauty products. There's also a selection of fabulous jewelry, including Gigi Clozeau’s coveted necklaces and bracelets.

For all things lavender—and not just any lavender—heat to this shop. It has the best AOC essential oil (it must be from flowers that grow above 2,600 feet) from the famous Château de Bois, plus a range of top-quality soaps, body lotions, and other fine cosmetics made with lavender essential oil.

To create its exceptional, all-natural candles, this Provence-based company sources sublime fragrances from Grasse and porcelain from Limoges. You’ll also find luxurious soaps, perfumes, and skin creams, as well as delightfully scented cards.

Here you can find gently used designer duds, bags, shoes and other accessories by the likes of Isabelle Marant, Marc Jacobs, Hermès, Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Max Mara, and other French and international brands at 50%–70% off retail prices.

A veritable Ali Baba's cave in the heart of the souklike Arab market, this colorful shop brims with eye-popping mounds of dried fruit and nuts, exotic condiments, grains, and every spice under the sun.

Aix's most celebrated santon (miniature statue) maker was established in 1936.

The soaps, cosmetics, and products for the home sold here are of exceptional artisanal quality. Marius Fabre is one of only six soap makers in France that still produce "le vrai" savon de Marseille the traditional way: cooked in giant vats with at least 72% pure olive oil, no fragrances (or only natural essential oils added later), and air-aged on wooden slats. 

One of Marseille's oldest manufacturers sells fragrant soap in blocks, ovals, or fanciful shapes—all of it made using the highest olive oil content possible (72%) and natural essential oils from Provence. Call ahead for a guided tour (in English) of this atmospheric factory to see the whole process done on traditional machines.

Since 1828, this manufacturer—one of only a remaining half-dozen—has crafted authentic savon de Marseille under strict guidelines (certain percentage of olive oil, made in vats by hand, dried for several months). At this small boutique, you can stock up on all its soaps for the body and home. It also has a line of quality skincare products.

This well-stocked boutique has a good selection of clothing for men and women, as well as table linens and fabrics.

All those famous, gorgeous Provençal fabrics can be found at Souleiado, made into scarves and tailored shirts, dresses, and skirts. There's also a selection of bags, shoes, and other accessories.

Since 1806 Souleiado has specialized in Indian-print cottons—all the rage in France since the 17th century—for the home, table, and women’s and men’s fashions and accessories. These irresistible colorful prints never go out of style.

This Marseille-based chain sells reliably chic sportswear in luscious colors. Mix-and-match separates include everything from sexy pencil skirts to jaunty peacoats and those long French scarves.

For more than 200 years, Brun de Vian-Tiran has been making wool blankets, cozy quilts, throws, and other bedding accessories. You can find its signature items here amid housewares from other brands like Nina Ricci, Cire Trudon, Yves Delorme, and Le Jacquard Français.

Higher-end antiques are in plentiful supply at Xavier Nicod, which "pays tribute to eclecticism" in art and architecture.

This French high-fashion chain features Bohemian-chic separates in luxurious fabrics—silk, velour, leather, and cashmere—all in dreamy colors.

This midrange department store anchors a corner that's one block from the port and the tourist office.

This permanent covered market is at the heart of the city and puts on a mouthwatering show of olives, fresh fish, cheeses, and produce.

If your home is your castle you'll flip at the sheer magnitude of housewares here. Since 1827 this picturesque shop has gathered the best in everything for the home, from French (and other European) kitchenware to hardware—including hard-to-find reproductions of classic French door pulls, handles, and light fixtures—Staub pots, handmade brushes, savon de Marseille, even artisanal perfumes, chic scarves and an excellent selection of old-fashioned toys.