5 Provence Essentials To Buy At The Market
Shopping at a traditional market in Provence is a must-do while visiting the region, and part of the daily life for locals like myself. No matter which part of Provence you are staying in, you will have a market near you, usually on Sundays.
From the juiciest seasonal fruits and veggies to vibrant local craftsmanship, the South of France is renowned for markets dating back to medieval times. You will encounter small treasures and big personalities at a Provençal market, and after 3 years since returning to Provence from New York, I still visit my town’s market on a weekly basis.
This list features my favorite Provence essentials that you can find in any market, outside of food items - stay tuned for a special yummy edition that obviously deserves its own post! Everything listed below is easy to fit in a suitcase and bring home as a souvenir, I promise you won’t regret adding any of these essentials to your shopping list.
You could find them in actual stores throughout Provence, and some even outside of France, but not for the same price and quality! So make sure to keep an eye on these little gems while exploring the region’s famous markets:
1 - AN ARTISANAL BASKET
Before you even start shopping at a Provence market, you have to look the part. Not only you shouldn’t leave the market without buying a basket, but you also shouldn’t start your shopping without one! Name a cutest way to carry around your best finds, I’ll wait! The traditional baskets from Provence are usually made of straw with leather handles and have become a symbol of the region. When you don’t use it for market runs, your basket makes a perfect beach bag or can be a great addition to your casual chic summer outfits. In many markets, you will also find colorful basket options from West-African or Malagasy vendors , if you want something that stands out more.
2 - MARSEILLE SOAP
Aka the reason why my luggage was always overweight when I lived in the USA. I used to bring kilos of soap bars back to New York for so many reasons: the scents reminded me of home, they are an eco-friendly alternative to shower gel since they don’t require plastic packaging, and they are also so pretty to look at. Look for either Argan oil or Shea butter based soaps, they will be gentle for your skin. Some of the most “Provence” scents include lavender, verbena, rose petals, honey, rosemary and figs, but you can find so much more! For herb-infused soaps, look for the ones with the actual pieces of the plants in them, they are the best in terms of quality.
3 - DRIED LAVENDER
Lavender is to Provence what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris: its most recognizable and glamorous symbol. At any point of the year, you can find dry lavender bouquets, sachets or other accessories at the market. They make a great souvenir or gift - extra points scored for moms and mother-in-laws - and can simply be used to bless your closet with a fresh and relaxing scent. If you want to shop your lavender like a local, mid to late July is the best time because that is when the lavender is harvested. When looking for lavender at the market, don’t just grab any sachet, make sure the smell is very fragrant and to compare everything. Vendors who only specialize in lavender are more likely to sell the freshest lavender versus last year’s harvest, so keep your eye - and nose - out!
4 - OLIVE WOOD SERVING UTENSILS
It’s almost impossible to visit a Provence market and not stop to marvel at olive wood accessories. From cutting boards full of character to giant salad bowls, you will be tempted to purchase more luggage allowance just to bring a couple of pieces back. I won’t stop you if that’s your vibe, I actually fully support it! But if you are trying to stay reasonable, I suggest grabbing a pair of serving utensils which are much lighter and smaller, and so useful. Unlike with food vendors, there is usually a little bargaining going on at the Olive Wood stand. Don’t hesitate to chat with the vendor and see if he is open to lowering the price at all before purchasing, of course buying more than one thing usually is a great ice breaker!
5 - LINEN
France is one of the world’s leading linen producers, and you can find real gems made of this light yet durable fabric right here in Provence. At any traditional market, you will encounter linen clothes but also table cloths, towels or beddings. I’d say an over-sized linen shirt is definitely a must especially for your summer adventures. It can be worn anywhere from poolside chilling to site-seeing, and it’s the perfect way to protect from the brutal sun without breaking a sweat since linen lets your skin breathe. I personally like neutral colors for linen clothes or home decor items, however Provence is known for its colorful tints and traditional prints, and you will find all these styles at most markets.
That’s it, you are now ready to explore Provençal markets without missing out on the essential things to bring home. Let me know what you are looking forward to scoring the most, or what’s the favorite thing you purchased from a local market while in the South of France in the comment section.
Happy shopping!
