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
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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…
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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…
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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…
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…
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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…
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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…
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.
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Aix-en-Provence
This pretty, orderly little shop sells delicious artisanal jams – including unexpected flavours like gooseberry, lavender, strawberries in champagne and…
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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…
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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…
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Marseille
An adopted Marseillaise, Virginie Monroe creates delicate, affordable necklaces, earrings, brooches and bracelets from bronze, gems, enamel and glass.
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Marseille
Fresh food, clothing, cheap gadgets and more on a large square. On Friday it’s flowers.
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Avignon
Fine olive oil and olive-oil-based products, such as soap, creams and biscuits.
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Marseille
From bold, graphic necklaces to dainty leaf-shaped earrings and bracelets, all of the metal and leather creations from this pretty petite boutique are…
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Aix-en-Provence
This calissonnier specialises in Aix’s sweetest treat: small, diamond-shaped chewy calissons, made of almond meal, citrus peel and wafer. They were first…
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Marseille
A bit touristy, perhaps, but if you’re keen to sample some of 75 different varieties of Provence’s favourite aperitif – the aniseed-flavoured firewater…
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Marseille
For cosmetics and artisanal soap, au naturel or scented with olive oil, fig or wilder Provençal fragrances, hit this iconic savon de Marseille (Marseille…
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Marseille
Baker José Orsoni specialises in making the city’s signature biscuits, the orange-perfumed navettes de Marseille, as well as macarons and canistrelli …
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Distilleries et Domaines de Provence
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
In business since 1898, this friendly distillery makes its own pastis and absinthe. Look for the sign marked ‘Espace Dégustation’ and the antique still…
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Marseille
This vast mid-19th century complex of shipping warehouses, derelict by the 1990s, has been redeveloped and now includes shops, boutiques and galleries.
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Marseille
Located one block south of La Canebière, this multicultural market has around 30 stalls selling fruit, veggies, fish and dried goods.
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Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
A lovely little bookshop just off the village square, with lots of Provençal books and postcards. It also host literary events.
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Marseille
A true trove of maps – whether it's local plans you need, or something more far-flung.
