The village of Lourmarin hosts its market on Friday mornings, all year round. This market seems popular not only with visitors to the Luberon region, but also with locals.
The vegetable vendors' stalls are very busy with discerning french women, choosing the best of what's available. (These shoppers are normally among the first to arrive in the morning.) The flower seller also has a wide range of plants that grow well locally. The boulanger, the butcher, the fishmonger, they are all quite popular at this market. There is a man who sells cheese (fromage) from the Savoie region. He offers samples as the crowd passes, and slices wedges from a huge round for picnic-ers.
At this market, there is a separate plaza filled primarily with artists, artisans, and vendors of hats, clothes, soaps, jewelry, and pottery. At this market, there is a tiny silver-haired woman who sells the kind of pottery I like: soap dishes, garlic graters, soup bowls, latte cups, all in rich deep shades of Provence--greens, golds, reds, and deep blues.
If you go, plan to park in the lot near the top of the market, under the cherry trees. It's convenient with plenty of spaces, and after walking the market you can refresh yourself with a cherry or two from the tree branch brushing the roof of your car....
The village has a couple of good restaurants for lunch and the small chateau offers a self-guided tour for after lunch enjoyment.
Remember that these markets open for summertime business around 8-8:30 and close up around 12:30-1pm. During winter months, they open closer to 9am and I have seem them close up an hour later in the face of winter winds or rain. Early is best!!
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