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
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
Var
This local producer of chestnut products has a well-stocked shop of marrons glacés (candied chestnuts), chestnut ice cream, crème de marrons (chestnut…
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…
Aix-en-Provence
This pretty, orderly little shop sells delicious artisanal jams – including unexpected flavours like gooseberry, lavender, strawberries in champagne and…
Var
Affiliated with the Maison des Vins de Bandol in Le Castellet, 12km to the north, this little oenophile's playground provides tastings, keeps a…
Moulin à Huile de la Balméenne
Vaucluse
Alongside its wines, Beaumes-de-Venise also has a long tradition of olive-growing – and its oils are much-prized. This old mill, in business since 1867,…
Bouches-du-Rhône
This cooperative moulin (mill) in Maussane-les-Alpilles produces 200,000L of silken Vallée des Baux-de-Provence AOC oil per year – usually sold out by mid…
Chocolaterie Bernard Castelain
Vaucluse
The specialities at this artisan chocolatier include picholines (dark-chocolate-covered roasted almonds that look like Provençal olives) and Palets des…
Bouches-du-Rhône
Brother-and-sister-run olive-oil mill located 4.5km southwest of St-Rémy, with tastings and homemade tapenade, fruit juice and jam.
Vaucluse
This roadside farmstand northwest of town sells locally grown lavender and other products, including a great gift for cooks: herbes de Provence–infused…
The Luberon
A small sweet shop selling locally made fruits confits (candied fruits) and calissons d’Aix (iced candied fruits). It’s been in business for three…
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Picnic supplies galore are on offer at this friendly grocer's on the village square. There's a great cheese selection, as well as homemade charcuterie and…
Var
The cooperative of Bandol vignerons, from the 16 sq km of the renowned Bandol appellation, showcase their wares in this boutique and information centre.
Marseille
An adopted Marseillaise, Virginie Monroe creates delicate, affordable necklaces, earrings, brooches and bracelets from bronze, gems, enamel and glass.
Bouches-du-Rhône
A hybrid boutique-gallery showcases fashion, jewellery, shoes, furniture and more by local designers. It also hosts Provençal art exhibits.
Bouches-du-Rhône
At Mouriès, 6km southeast of Maussane, pop in for a tasting of exceptional oils milled at Moulin Coopératif.
Bouches-du-Rhône
Thrilling cheese shop with a 12th-century ripening cellar and cheese and charcuterie plates.
Marseille
Fresh food, clothing, cheap gadgets and more on a large square. On Friday it’s flowers.
