Saint Remy de Provence, France Wednesday Market

We spent a delightful morning strolling around Saint Remy’s large Wednesday market, which is set not only in the market square but spills out all over the town extending into the side streets. There is also a smaller market on a Saturday, but the Wednesday market is the one to see.

Arriving at the market by 10am, it was in full swing. The sound of a saxophone filled the air as we approached one of the squares where a jazz/ blues band had set up, and we paused a while to listen.

The stalls were abundant with the expected array of colourful fresh local produce including fruit, vegetables, cheeses, olives, saucisson, fish, patisserie, honey, nougat, herbs and spices, olive oils etc.

The delicious aromas as we passed the various stalls were amazing, and there were plenty of tasting samples to be had. I particularly enjoyed sampling the different cheeses and freshly made nougat. There were chickens and hams spit roasting, and giant paella’s being cooked.

Saint Remy market is significant, and there are perhaps a hundred or so vendors. Other non-food items for sale are sachets of lavender filled from huge sacks, scented soaps, clothing, hats, scarves, linens, table clothes, jewellery, artwork, rugs, pottery, shoes, wines and colourful straw shopping bags.

There is also another whole section of the market devoted to antiques.

It’s such a beautiful place to walk around. We were stopping every now and then for a coffee or glass of wine just soaking up the atmosphere and watching the locals and tourists shopping. It was great listening to all the different languages being spoken – French, German, Dutch, with quite a few Americans and the odd British voice.

We spent the whole morning browsing at leisure before purchasing bread, olives, a selection of cheeses, meats, fresh strawberries, cherries, pastries and wine to take back and eat under the cool shade of the trees at our campsite. We bought much more than we needed as it was so irresistible although it did last us for days.  

Lots of people sat on the steps of the church, eating their recently purchased picnic lunches. And many more were eating lunch at one of the many inviting terraces or brasseries. By the time we left the market, these were all packed solid.

Saint Remy Market is one of the better markets which has been awarded the Golden Parasol award by the Committee to promote markets in the Provence.

Parking

We were lucky enough to be staying at the campsite just 10 minutes walk out of town but if you are driving in it is advisable to arrive early to get a parking place as It is super busy. You will probably need to park a few streets away and walk in. There is a huge car park on the east side of town, which is a 4-minute walk to the centre.

The market closes at 1 pm although the stalls start to pack up at around 12.45pm.

 

Where We Stayed

The campsite was just a short 10-minute walk into Saint Remy.

Camping Pegomas,
3, Avenue Jean Moulin
Saint Remy De Provence,
Provence – Cote D Azur   (Browse area)
13210
Tel: 0033 04 90 92 01 21
Visit their website    

Click through for more photos of the market.

Click below for more photos of the antique stalls.