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THE MARKETS OF PROVENCE
 Provence is known, among other things, for its gorgeous marchés (open-air markets). Visiting an open-air market in Provence is one of life's little pleasures. If you visit Provence you are bound to walk right into one. For locals, the market serves as much as a social function as an opportunity to shop (or sell, if you are a local producer) each week. For those of us visiting, it provides a glimpse into everyday life in Provence.
Here local farmers and other vendors come to sell their products. Many of these vendors travel from market to market, and town to town - so don’t be surprised if you see a vendor at one market on Monday, and then at another in a different town on Thursday. Depending on what kind of market you stroll through, you will find a selection of fish and meats from local butchers, fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers, as well as other specialties such as bread, cheese, olives, spices, honey and wine. You’ll always find produce, specialties and crafts that are specific to the region or town.
Provencal markets sell a number of goods depending on where you go and what day of the week you visit. For example, Aix-en-Provence holds a flower market every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at place de l'Hôtel. A regular Marché Provencal offers a large variety of food, clothes, and other local crafts including embroidered towels, soaps, linens, and pottery. A Marché Agricole is a farmer's market, and sells little else other than food or produce. The quality of the fresh produce at these farmer’s markets is something to behold.
Aside from farmer’s markets and general marchés, you'll also find specialty markets. For example, if you’re looking for truffles your best bet would be to visit the Truffle market in Carpentras. If you’re looking for fresh fish you can visit the fish market in Marseille. For flowers visit the Marché aux Fleurs in Nice, Avignon, and Aix-en-Provence. If you’re looking for antiques you can visit the various brocante markets (flea markets) scattered throughout the region. Most of these are specially scheduled events, though some towns (such as L'Isle-de-la-Sorgue) hold weekly brocante markets. So plan ahead!
Each town typically holds a market one day a week, although some towns make it a daily event. Markets start very early in the morning, usually by 8:00 am and finish by 1:00 pm. So be sure to get an early start. Provencal markets are usually held at the town square in smaller towns, or the center of town. Here is a helpful link to find Provencal markets based on location and specialty: Provence-Hideaways
If you visit Provence, spend a morning at a marché. Take in the sights, the smells, the sounds of the Provencal landscape, villages and its people.
Fabrics of Provence
 The fabrics of Provence are very distinct in pattern and color. Provencal fabrics actually originated in the 17th century through the "Compagnie des Indes Orientales", importing linens made in India through the port of Marseille. The bright colors and patterns of these linens became really popular. Eventually many local manufacturers started their own production of these Indian fabrics, incorporating Provencal motifs into their design such as bees, olives, or cigales. The bright colors of the fabrics were applied using natural dyes extracted from plants and minerals found in the region. So in essence these fabrics reflect the landscape of Provence. Today modern production techniques are used, but the traditional patterns and colors remain the same. For more information on the history and production method of these fabrics visit the Musée du Tissu Provençal of Souleiado in Tarascon, near Arles, on your next trip to Provence.
"The Giant of Provence"
 Mont Ventoux, also referred to as "The Giant of Provence", is the largest mountain in the region. It has become famous for its occasional, yet likely unfavored, appearance on the route map of the annual Tour de France. Perhaps its appearance isn’t occasional enough; having hosted the Tour de France cyclists fourteen times since 1951 on what is probably one of the most grueling climbs on the Tour. The Mont Ventoux, which translates to Windy Mountain, has a 1910 meter high imposing peak. With this altitude it is easily visible from far across the surrounding Provencal countryside. The cooling Mistral wind that comes from the north reaches its peak which explains why it is often snow-capped in Spring...even as the Provencal countryside is blooming.
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