Every Wednesday the St Remy Market, Provence, explodes, taking over the streets, the plaza, and more to offer hearty produce and wonderful bric-a-brac to bring home. It’s charming, colourful and memory making because it reaches into heart of human nature bringing alive the senses; afterall, we all love to eat, communicate, exchange and be happy.
I rose early to catch the best of it, watching the first shoppers pick out fresh produce that ranged from seasonal fruits and vegetables, bread, seafood, meats, nougat … cheeses, olive oil, olives, fois gras – even some lovely wines.
I meandered, sampling little treats, wanting to buy everything around me but being careful to stick with my picnic plan of baguette, cheeses, ham, olives, cheeses, cherry tomatoes of the shiniest red, figs, quince paste and some fois gras and a bottle of rose – truly heavenly. (In truth i came away with 10 tea towels, 1o bottle corks, a tea canister, handpainted jewelery boxes, lavender soap, a lavender bouquet, three paintings, and three baskets – justifying them as Christmas gifts for the family.)
Where I thought it was simply located in the plaza and surroundings in the heart of St Remy as I popped out of one of the small alley ways I realised it also took over half of the town – in fact beginning at Rue de la Republique and weaving its way back in – with a slightly chaotic plan of produce in the centre and the linens and gifts towards. In the top section you are more likely you will find linens, clothing, soaps of Marseilles, and locals simply soaking up the atmosphere with coffee and petit dejeuner and joie de vivre.
If you are seeking gorgeous gifts from St Remy Provence you must see our collection of Decorative French Dolls, handmade in St Remy. We are so lucky to stock them.
Being one of the most popular markets in France it gets busy. A moment of respite in one of the beautiful local cafes can provide a second wind to explore more beautiful things and soak in the ambiance.
I could have stayed all day but as 1pm grew closer everything began shutting down and within an hour everything was back to the way it was with tranquil alleys, pretty store fronts and beckoning cafes filled with happy, relaxed people. A nice way to live. I wish i could do it more often … or perhaps every week.