Marché d’Antibes – old-world charm beneath the Arches

Every morning, the Cours Masséna in Antibes hums softly to life. Beneath its vaulted iron-and-glass roof, vendors quietly set up crates of wild asparagus, ropes of garlic, and wheels of cheese wrapped in chestnut leaves. This covered market feels intimate, authentic — a place where grandmothers haggle with quiet authority and fishmongers know your name.

What to buy: Plump artichokes, tiny black Niçoise olives, lemon confit, and a steaming slice of socca — the region’s beloved chickpea pancake, crisp and earthy.

Market tip: Arrive before 10:00 to catch the morning light slanting across the stalls — and to grab a table at Le Café de la Place for a noisette and people-watching.

 

Marché de Saint-Tropez – chic, sunlit, and unapologetically french

Tuesdays and Saturdays see the transformation of the Place des Lices — from pétanque pitch to Provençal catwalk. Palm trees shade tables draped in vintage linens, straw baskets overflow with lavender sachets and Marseille soaps, and somewhere in the crowd, a retired couturier is selling silk shirts from his Paris days.

Perfect for: Assembling the perfect picnic — a wedge of tomme aux truffes, a baguette still warm from the oven, ripe figs, and rosé in a chilled thermos.

Vibe: A stylish mélange of Riviera locals, weekend Parisians, and bohemian wanderers — all here for the taste, the colour, and the performance.

 

Marché Forville, Cannes – where the chefs shop

Tucked into the foot of Le Suquet, the old quarter of Cannes, the covered Marché Forville is a study in abundance. You’ll find glossy eggplants, heirloom tomatoes, goat cheeses rolled in herbs, and anchovies from Collioure. It’s no wonder the region’s best chefs are regulars here.

Don’t miss: White peaches soft as velvet, hand-churned tapenade, and a crusty ficelle to tear into on your walk back.

Insider tip: Bring a tote bag and an appetite. The market is open every day except Monday. It’s best enjoyed slowly, without a list.

 

Cours Saleya, Nice – lively, iconic, and full of colour

There’s something theatrical about Cours Saleya. Maybe it’s the painterly backdrops of Vieux-Nice’s pastel façades, or the way voices echo off stone arcades. Whatever it is, this is a market that lives and breathes with energy. Go for flowers, for fresh figs, for the scent of rosemary mingling with espresso. It’s busy, yes, but beautifully so.

Early morning ritual: Croissant, strong coffee, and a quiet corner seat at one of the cafés framing the square. Then, into the fray.

Best buys: Sun-dried tomatoes, dried lavender bundles, zucchini flowers, and a bouquet of wild herbs that’ll perfume your bag all day.

 

Marché de Vence – local, understated, and delightfully slow

If the coast feels too polished, head inland. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, the medieval square of Vence hosts a market that feels like a secret. No tour groups, no noise — just apricots that bruise at a glance, mountain cheeses wrapped in wax paper, and an old man selling honey from his own hives.

Perfect for: Slow shopping and quiet discovery. Locals linger. Nobody’s in a hurry.

Take home: A jar of rosemary honey, a small wheel of brebis, and a handful of almonds roasted with herbes de Provence.

 

How to shop like a local

No Provençal market morning is complete without curating your own apéro:
Olives glistening with garlic, a wedge of cheese, torn bread, chilled rosé, and a punnet of strawberries still warm from the sun.

Then: back to your Nice2stay retreat. A shaded terrace. A view of the hills. Feet up, glass in hand, and nothing left to do but enjoy the simple luxury of a well-earned pause.