There is something so quintessentially French about pottering around a bustling marché, picking up delicious fruit and veg to go with local cheeses and charcuterie for those long, relaxed lunches under the Provencal sun. Almost every town and village in France boasts its own marché, with markets in St Tropez and surrounding hilltop villages being amongst some of the best around.
Indeed, no Tuesday or Saturday morning in France’s most famous fishing port would be complete without a multitude of tables laid out in the town’s picturesque main square, Place des Lices, selling everything from locally-grown olives to clothes, flowers and books.
Visitors from far and wide come to peruse the colourful stands weighed down with sun-ripened tomatoes, jars of the region’s famous herbes de Provence and fragrant cheeses, amongst others local produce, before stopping for a café au lait, or cheeky pastis, to recharge.
Market days are a way of life across France but nowhere are they as popular as in Provence and the Cote d’Azur. In fact, a visit to the local marché always figures very highly on lists of things to do in St Tropez. Originating in the 12th century, markets are key to the local community, providing a place for farmers and craftsmen to come to sell their locally grown produce.
Our favourite markets in St Tropez & beyond
Whilst the markets in St Tropez are the most well-known in the area, there are a number of other excellent markets which we recommend that you jot down on your list of things to do in St Tropez. Here are our favorites:
1. St Tropez, Place des Lices
We start with our favourite market in St Tropez, held twice a week in the summer months, on Tuesday and Saturday mornings from 8am to 1pm.
2. Ramatuelle, Place de l’Ormeau
If you are looking for things to do in St Tropez on a Sunday morning, or need to pick up a few last minute products for Sunday lunch, head to the market in Ramatuelle. This popular market, open from 8am to 1pm, is also held on a Thursday and some evenings in the height of the summer.
3. Cogolin, various locations
Meanwhile, a short drive away you will find the Place Victor Hugo in Cogolin bursting with delights on Wednesdays from 8am to 1pm. On Saturday mornings the market moves to the Place de la République, whilst in the summer months, there is also a market on Saturdays in Aux Marines de Cogolin.
4. La Croix-Valmer, Place des Palmiers
Another wonderfully colourfully Sunday morning market can be found at La Croix-Valmer. It’s the perfect place to come to pick up picnic products before heading to the beach.
5. Cavalaire-sur-mer, Place Jean Moulin
This mid-week market – high on our list of things to do near St Tropez – is held every Wednesday morning in Cavalaire-sur-mer.
6. Sainte-Maxime, various locations
Sainte-Maxime is a large town across the Gulf of Saint Tropez and a popular place to visit for as there is a wonderful choice of boutiques, restaurants and markets. Our clients who decide to buy a villa in St Tropez often pop over to Sainte-Maxime for additional shopping opportunities.
The main market takes place in the town centre on Thursday mornings, whilst from April to the end of September there is also a market in La Place du Patio Fleuri on Monday and Friday mornings. Additionally, there is a Friday market in Place de Jean-Mermoz. For those who like the idea of a night market, multiple stands are positioned the length of the town’s pedestrianised streets every night, from 4-11pm in the height of the summer.
7. La Garde Freinet, Place Neuve
There are yet more colourful markets near St Tropez to visit in this Var village on Wednesday and Sunday mornings, this time in La Garde Freinet’s Place Neuve.
8. Ramatuelle, Place de l’Ormeau
Picturesque Port Grimaud, France’s answer to Venice and a short drive from St Tropez, hosts two markets a week, on Thursday morning and all day on Sunday.
9. Grimaud, Place Vieille
Meanwhile, a short climb up hill in the village of Grimaud, there is a morning market from 8-11pm in Place de l’Eglise.
That’s our list of markets in St Tropez and the surrounding villages. Please just get in touch with our team for advice on more things to do in St Tropez.
Leave a Reply