About Markets in & around Antibes
Market days are a way of life in Provence and the Cote d'Azur. They originated in the 12th century, when farmers and craftsmen would come to nearest market town to sell their wares, or engage in bartering agreements.
Not much has changed since those days - the market is still the place to come for locally grown produce of all shapes & sizes. Check our Events Calender to find out the dates and times of markets and other events throughout the year.
Types of Market
You can expect to find two types of market - the farmers market and the Provencal market. The farmers market is where you'll find the fruit and vegetable of the local region on sale, plus meat from the butcher, bread and cakes from the baker, cheeses, herbs & spices. Anything to do with food really! This is the kind of market that all the larger villages offer. Prices tend to be higher than you would find in the supermarket, but the taste and the quality of market-bought goods simply does not compare to the mass produced, anemic fruit & veg in the local Super U. The climate in Provence lends itself so beautifully to farming that much of the produce in the market is organically grown and likely to have been picked the day before.
The Provencal market (Marche Provencal) tends to be much larger, with all the fresh produce described above, with the addition of clothing, fabrics (napkins & tablecloths are most popular), ceramics and other local crafts, costume jewellery, leather goods - the list goes on...
Flea markets are also popular - they are known as Marche aux Puces or La Brocante (secondhand goods). They tend to occur once a month at selected locations, usually on a Sunday.
Where & when
Foire (clothing market)
In Antibes the Foire is a haven for those who love flea market style shopping. Shoes, jewellery and bags are also on sale, as well as various household goods. Even if you're not looking for something specific this market is worth a wander round as you never know when you might find that amazing item at a bargain price!
Place Amiral Barnaud in the Old Town on Tuesday and Saturday
Lacan Car Park (post office car park in the Old Town) on Thursday
Place Jean Aude (La Fontanne) on Wednesday
Pont Dulys (Juan-les-Pins) on Friday
From 07:00 until 13:00.
Brocante (second hand)
Similar to this is the brocante market which also takes place in various locations - vintage and second-hand clothes, shoes, bags and various random items. If you like to rummage then this is the market for you...plus you can grab a coffee and do a good bit of people watching!
Thursday and Saturday from 07:00 to 13:00.
Artisan (Crafts)
The weekly artisan market displays & sells a selection from local & regional producers - painters, sculptors, ceramists and other talented artists showcase their artwork. During the summer months (mid June to September) the market takes place every day except Monday in a covered market in the Cours Massena. Open from 15:00 until midnight. For the rest of the Year (October to mid June) this market is on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 15:00.
Summer (mid June to September) - Tuesday to Sunday from 15:00 until midnight.
October to mid June - Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 15:00.
La Grande Braderie
The Juan les Pins Grande Braderie is a market of a completely different style. The streets of Juan-les-Pins become a sales market, with more than 100 shops from all around town bringing their end-of-summer bargains out. It takes place once a year at the end of summer, normally in October and is the perfect place to bag a bargain!
Check our Events Calender to find more markets in Antibes.