Treat yourself to fresh fish, produce and flowers, unique scarves, fabrics, clothing, antiques, jewelry, accessories, soaps and so much more. You’ll find the fruit, vegetable, fish, and local delicacy market situated in the Place Richelme. The expanded market, with clothing, jewelry and other many other local offerings is held every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning until 1pm in the Place des Prêcheurs and Place de la Madeleine. In the summer months, the entire market spills across to the central Cours Mirabeau and seemingly consumes half the town.

The Aix daily markets date back to the Middle Ages, with the first likely appearing in the 12th-century when the city began to grow and prosper as a trading hub and center for commerce. They were initially confined to the city’s central square of the time, the Place des Prêcheurs, which remains one of the main marketplaces in Aix today.

Over the centuries, the French markets of Aix-en-Provence evolved with the addition of new products and services, as well as new marketplaces throughout the city. Some of the most famous include the daily food market in the Place Richelme, which sells local fresh produce, meat, fish, and local specialties such as lavender honey and olive oil, and a flower market in the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville.

Depending on when you come, you’ll want to have the appropriate clothing for strolling the markets (see my travel guide). July and August are of course the hottest months with average temperatures reaching 90ºF and above. Yet while Aix enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine per year, many people don’t realize that Aix-en-Provence, and the entire south of France for that matter, can get downright chilly from November to March.