20 Best Places to Shop in Provence, France

Within walking distance of the town center and tourist office, this traditional bakery for the boat-shaped navette, an emblematic cookie of Marseille and Provence, was revived by the founder of the Provence-based cosmetics giant, L'Occitane. Delicately perfumed with orange flower water, the oblong cookie is said to represent the boat that brought saints Mary Magdalene and Martha to the coast near Marseille. Other traditional biscuits, flavored with lemon, almond, anise, or orange flower (including calissons d'Aix and macarons made from local almonds) are baked here by hand in gourmet versions updated by Paris superstar pâtissier Pierre Hermé. Though you'll also find them in gastronomic shops, all of the biscuits made here—easily transportable in tins—are sold in the Biscuiterie store at a 10% discount.

Known for its lush orchards, Apt excels at a technique for preserving fresh fruit that dates from Roman times and was prized by everyone from the French popes to Madame Sévigné. At this local cooperative, founded in 1962, the old techniques were updated to 20th-century standards, but the colorful local fruits preserved in all their sun-ripened glory are still a sight to behold, and you can taste things before buying. Bigarreau cherries from the Luberon are a favorite, but you'll also find Cavaillon melons; Provence apricots, figs, plums, pears; Corsican clementines; and, of course, candied ginger.

Aix's most famous purveyor of calissons offers an assortment of the delicate almond pastries in gourmet flavors and enticing colors along with the white-frosted classic. The Rue Gaston de Saporta location is the flagship, but its wonderful museum just outside the city center ( 5380 rte. d’Avignon) delves into the history and making of this sweet and is well worth a visit. The shop also sells fruit syrups, biscuits, cakes, nougats, and a variety of other beautifully packaged candies that are perfect for gifts.

With more than 100 stalls, Nîmes's central covered market is an excellent spot to stock up on all the area's gastronomic specialties: crisp PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) picholine olives and olive oil, anchoïade (a heady mix of anchovies crushed with garlic and olive oil), Pélardons goat cheeses from nearby Cévennes, and Costières de Nîmes wines.  For deeply satisfying regional cuisine—think brandade or taureau (bull's meat) with Camargue rice—and the convivial company of locals, head to Halles Auberge, which is open daily for lunch.

This confiseur (confectioner) dates from 1866 and is in its fifth generation of family ownership on the same St-Rémy premises. It makes the famous Provençal calisson, an almond-shape marzipan confection, as well as a gorgeous array of candied fruits—from cherries and strawberries to kiwis and even whole pumpkins—using a recipe credited to Nostradamus (a native son of St-Rémy). There are also fruit syrups, jams, chocolates, and regional honey. A tour of the factory and a stop in the beautiful boutique are pleasurable ways to spend and hour or two.

If "made in France" sounds good to you, head to this 190-year-old Marseille institution, which sells all things French. The main store carries everything from housewares and hardware to timeless perfumes, classic toys, and true Savon de Marseille. A second shop across the street ( 8 rue des Recolettes) has irresistible clothing and accessories for women, men, and kids, including wool or sheepskin slippers, rakish straw hats, cashmere capes, chunky wool sweaters, and cotton work shirts.

This famous bakery, up the street from Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, has made orange-spice, shuttle-shape navettes in the same oven since it opened in 1781. These cookies are modeled on the little boat that, it is said, carried Lazarus and the Three Marys (Mary Magdalene, Mary Salome, and Mary Jacobe) to the nearby shore.

The perfume giant originated in Provence, and its offerings—from irresistible range of perfumes, soaps, and cosmetics to its fabrics, fashions for the entire family, and home decor—all celebrate the region’s sun-kissed fruit, flowers, and colors. The latest fragrance collection focuses on lemon flower, but scents like night-blooming jasmine, fleur d’orange, lilac, and iris are perennial favorites.

Although he's known for his creamy ganaches, Joël Durand also offers a range of gourmet chocolates, nut creams, and toffees, as well as marmalades made in Provence from tree-ripened fruit.

Since 1946, this artisanal candy shop has specialized in the traditional sweets every French child grew up with, including the famous Berlingots de Carpentras, the tiny striped, fruit-flavored candies made in the area since the 14th century. An enticing range of Provençal nougat, biscuits flavored with orange blossom, pralines, and much more make great mementoes and gifts.

You might just be lucky enough to arrive at this old town artisanal chocolaterie on a day when you can watch the confections being made by hand. Specialties include delicately perfumed ganache-filled chocolates, calissons, and chocolate bars laden with dried fruit and nuts.

Head here for the best breads in town, particularly rustic sourdough and traditional Provençal loafs, as well as delicious pastries.

You can watch the talented baker at work in the kitchen of this bakery–boutique filled with glass jars of enticing and original cookie creations, as well as traditional biscuits perfumed with orange flower and other irresistible spices. There are plenty of gluten-free versions, in addition to a range of Provençal specialty foods.

Near the train station, Leonard Parli offers a lovely selection of calissons.

This deeply Provençal boutique, known for its beautiful cotton textiles and smart tailoring, has been dressing elegant men and women, kids, and cowboys, since 1938. The colorful prints are original 18th- and 19th-century designs from the manufacturer's archives. You'll also find a range of quality accessories, home goods, and fabrics sold by the meter.

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

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.

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