Aix-en-Provence
Run by committed oenophiles Francois and Vincent, this trove of rare and delightful bottles aims to cover the many French styles and terroirs, paying…
Must-see shopping in Provence & the Côte d'Azur
Aix-en-Provence
No spot in Aix revs up your taste buds more than the city’s premier food market, where trestle tables groan each morning under the weight of marinated…
Nice
After the Cours Selaya produce market, this is Nice's largest outdoor display of fresh fruit and veggies – and an authentically local experience. When it…
Nice
With its gilded counters and mirrors, this opulent shop – run by the same family for five generations – looks more like a 19th-century boutique than a…
Vaucluse
If you do nothing else in Carpentras, make sure you find time to visit the fabulous Friday market, when several hundred stalls fill rue d’Inguimbert, ave…
Antibes
A wonderful – and as its name hints, very Provençal – local market selling fruit, vegetables, meat, cheese and local products like tapenade (olive spread)…
Marseille
Pick up a set of handmade boules (complete with matching carry bag), plus plenty of other souvenirs of France’s iconic game. There’s also an indoor court…
Aix-en-Provence
Bibliophiles rejoice: this brilliant Anglophile bookshop has a huge selection of English-language books for sale (among works in other languages) and a…
Bouches-du-Rhône
Among France’s top chocolatiers, using Provençal herbs and plants – lavender, rosemary, violet and thyme – with unexpected flavours such as Earl Grey.
Marseille
Every Wednesday morning the farmers market along cours Julien squawks with life, colour and accordion music as traders flog mounds of organic vegetables,…
Marseille
If you only have time to visit one shop in Marseille, make it this one. Run by the same family since 1827, France’s oldest hardware store remains a one…
Cannes
With cowbells strung from the wooden ceiling, and a stunning array of cheeses, this is the only place to shop for dairy products in Cannes. A master…
Nice
Since 1947, locals have been trusting the owners of this atmospheric cave (wine celler) to find the best wines from across the Alpes-Maritimes and Var. It…
Marseille
Opened in 1781, this is the oldest bakery in Marseille; it's been passed down between three families, and it still uses the original 18th-century oven. It…
Arles
Starting out as a humble record shop, La Boutique des Passionnés has grown into a cultural centre – promoting and selling tickets for shows, hosting…
Var
Meni (Gerard) and son make an astonishing array of sausages, terrines, cured meats and pre-prepared dishes in this tiny shop, the very image of an…
Vaucluse
If your manor house needs that perfect Louis XV chandelier, look no further. The former mills and factories along L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue's main road contain…
Nice
Nice's favourite vintage shop is a treasure trove of clothing, jewellery and accessories spanning much of the 20th century; what really sets it apart is…
St-Tropez
Forget the fancy side of St-Tropez for a while, and re-enter a more traditional Provence at this twice-weekly market, offering everything from cheese…
Les Maîtres Vignerons de la Presqu’île de St-Tropez
Côte d'Azur
Shop for Côtes de Provence AOC wine at this clearinghouse of regional vineyards, near the giant roundabouts to the west of St-Tropez.
Nice
Fruit and vegetables, olives, cheeses, breads, herbs and spices – no market is a finer reflection of local Niçois life.
Marseille
This artisanal beer shop sells a top notch selection of ales, IPAs, lagers, stouts and the like from across France as well as Canada, Italy, the UK, the…
Cannes
For local culture, head to Cannes' busy food market, a couple of blocks back from the port. In the biz since 1934, it is one of the most important markets…
Marseille
Quirky and stylish homewares, kids' toys, patisseries, fine chocolate and even a small contemporary art gallery: there's a surprising variety of delights…
Marseille
Owned by a designer and an architect, Unity has plenty of suitcase-fillers for the modern aesthete. Painted skateboards by Boom-Art, Pantone coffee mugs,…
Marseille
Not your ordinary hair salon, Cut & Mix multitasks as a record store, bookshop and event space. Sociable owners Floriane and Christophe even host…
Marseille
Another of Marseille’s fine soap sellers, selling unusual perfumes like chocolate, verveine and aniseed.
Marseille
Soap-making in Marseille has been traced by some to the 14th century, but much of the stuff for sale at the city’s markets is made elsewhere. That’s not…
Nice
Vintage clothing, jewellery, accessories and antique knick-knacks are just the beginning at this sweet boutique tucked among the bars and restaurants of…
Bouches-du-Rhône
A delectable grocery and fine food emporium, made out to resemble a traditional village shop, and owned by the same people who run the Moulin à Huile du…
Marseille
Head to the boutique of Santons Marcel Carbonel (within the Musée du Santon) for tiny kiln-fired figures – or santons (from santoùn, meaning ‘little saint…
Bouches-du-Rhône
Aside from other prizes from the day's catch, Poissonnerie du Golfe is the place for clam-like tellines. Buy a kilo or so of the pink nail-sized bivalves,…
Moulin à Huile d’Olive Alziari
Nice
Superb (but very expensive) hand-pressed olive oil, fresh from the mill on the outskirts of Nice. It comes in several flavours of differing fruitiness…
Var
This local producer of chestnut products has a well-stocked shop of marrons glacés (candied chestnuts), chestnut ice cream, crème de marrons (chestnut…
Nice
Italian influence in Nice has always been strong, and it remains so today in shops such as Olio Donato, where you'll find a wealth of products from…
Marseille
As the street-art daubed walls of this concept store and gallery suggest, it showcases the work of local underground artists. As well as posters by eBoy…
Côte d'Azur
Candied fruits, chocolate-coated citrus-fruit peel and the most extraordinary ice cream – rose petal, jasmine or violet, or poppy sorbet (one/two scoops …
Aix-en-Provence
This pretty, orderly little shop sells delicious artisanal jams – including unexpected flavours like gooseberry, lavender, strawberries in champagne and…
Nice
Take a trip back in time at this unique shop specialising in vintage perfume bottles with belle-époque-style spray pumps. English-speaking artist-owner…
