Artisans in the Forcalquier Market of Provence!

At the Monday morning market in Forcalquier, the vendors wind through the narrow streets and fill the plazas. It feels like a small, intimate market, but in truth it is one of the larger markets in the region. What makes it a bit different?

It is a mosaic of markets: fresh vegetables and fruits on the lower levels, clothing on the side streets, fabrics, pottery, leathers, soaps fill the main plaza, sausage and olive vendors line the main road.
You will find a special treat of this market in an enclosed plaza, a bit hidden on the lower level. This is where the local artisans show their creations of leather, woven wool, silver, brass and the like. Pottery, jewelry, rugs, scarves, handbags, tabletop sculptures, watercolor on canvas. One woman shows her macrame against the ages old wall of the village church! This spot has the feel of a special ‘market within a market’ and I love to wander there.

Along one of the side street between the main plaza and the lower level is where I find one of my favorite vendors. This seller has several tables heaped high with piles of luxurious French organza! Filmy and gauzy, these fabrics come not on a bolt but in large odd-shaped pieces—1 meter here, 3 meters there. Normally, when I shop there, I find at least a few pieces that I cannot resist. Then the dreaming begins….What can I do with this lovely fabric? Will it drape over the French doors to the terrace? Maybe it will be a throw over the guest bed or a curtain in the back bathroom?
Many fabrics used for OliveBranchTraders Table Linens are found in this market.

Tuesday's market in Cucuron has lace and spices!

It's Tuesday morning in Provence, which means there are many village markets underway! One of my favorites is the one in Cucuron, which is a 10 minute drive from my house in Grambois on a lovely winding road through the countryside.

Two other Tuesday markets in the Luberon area I like are in the village of La Tour d'Aigues and the town of Aix en Provence. These markets all start around 8:30 and wrap up around 12:30.

I like the Cucuron market because a couple of my favorite vendors are there and because the setting is absolutely wonderful. In this village there is a wonderful large pond, or 'bassin' as the french call it. Towering shady sycamore trees surround the pond and the market wraps around the pond under these trees. What can be nicer than that?

Well...one thing that makes it even nicer is the small cafe that sits on the far side of the pond, where my husband can sit peacefully over espresso while I shop.

There is a vendor in this market who sells french laces by the meter and today she had a lovely one in ecru with black stitching that I can add to the bottom edge of an old cotton skirt that I am getting tired of. Perfect!

Another favorite vendor in Cucuron is the man who sells spices from colorful baskets. There is a spice vendor in almost every market, of course, but this man is especially nice; today he helped me choose the curry for tonight's lamb stew.

If you have a hiker in your family, there is a 2-hour trail that starts on top of the Luberon range just above Cucuron in the village of Auribeau and ends at this market. You can easily time things for hikers and shoppers to meet at the pond for lunch in the cafe. One last thing, there is an ATM in this village and a terrific office of tourism with schedules and maps for music, outdoor sports, etc.

See you there??