The Luberon valley is home to what are easily some of the finest open-air markets in all of France. With a bustling marché springing to life somewhere in the region every single day, planning our itinerary around market schedules has become our favorite local ritual. Over the years, we’ve browsed nearly all of them—from sprawling weekend affairs to quiet, hidden village stalls—and we’ve narrowed down our absolute non-negotiables. Since so many of you often ask about my market routines and favorite Provençal finds, I’m sharing an inside look at how I shop these vibrant stalls and the little treasures I always bring home. (And if you’re looking for schedule specifics, be sure to bookmark my companion guide, Luberon Markets: My Tips For Planning Your Visit)
How to Shop the Markets Like a Local
Shopping the markets of the Luberon is an art form best enjoyed slowly, but a few local unwritten rules will completely elevate your experience. Beyond just knowing which towns host on which days, navigating the crowded stalls requires a mix of French etiquette, practical preparation, and a sharp eye for quality. Whether it is your very first marché or your hundredth, these essential habits will help you shop with confidence and ease.
- Arrive early! Parking lots become full by 9:30 or 10:00.
- Bring cash/coins – Most stalls accept cards but would rather accept cash or coins for small amounts (and honestly it can just be easier than dealing with the credit card machine).
- Bring your own woven basket or canvas tote.
- Speak French! You do not need to be fluent but you should be prepared to say “Bonjour,” “Combien?”, “Merci,” and “Bonne journée!”
What to Look For vs. What to Skip
While the vibrant colors and rich aromas of a Provençal market are mesmerizing, not every stall offers authentic, locally made goods. Learning to spot genuine artisan craftsmanship amidst the mass-produced souvenirs is the key to bringing home true quality. Here is my quick cheat sheet on what is worth filling your market basket with – and what you are better off skipping.
| What to Buy | What to Pass On |
| Artisanal lavender soaps & sachets | Mass-produced “Provence” souvenirs |
| Locally milled olive oil & tapenades | Pre-packaged spices |
| Linens (to wear and for the home) | Modern synthetic textiles (“made in China”) |
| Antiques & artwork | Prints or mass-produced copies |
| Small-batch cheeses & regional produce | Tourist-trap items imported from elsewhere |
The Special Treasures I Always Bring Home
Olive Oil and Lait D’Anesse Soap
There is something deeply satisfying about bringing home a block of traditional Savon de Marseille. Made with at least 72% olive oil and free from artificial fragrances or dyes, these olive oil soaps look beautiful displayed on a stone dish by your sink and are gentle enough for daily use. I also love lait d’anesse soap – so hydrating!
- Shopping & Packing Tip: Look for the official stamp verifying it was made in a traditional cauldron in Provence. Wrap them in parchment or paper towels to absorb any lingering moisture before packing them in the middle of your checked suitcase.
Fragrant Dried Lavender Sachets
Nothing instantly transports you back to the sunny hills of the Luberon quite like the scent of authentic lavender. These little linen or cotton pouches filled with dried lavandin buds are a quintessential market find, perfect for tucking into your linen closet, sweater drawers, or luggage. I always pick up a handful in muted, natural fabrics to scatter around our home or give as effortless, charming gifts.
- Shopping & Packing Tip: Gently squeeze the sachet before buying—freshly dried lavender will release a vibrant, clean aroma without feeling dusty or brittle. They weigh next to nothing, so buy a few more than you think you need!
- Unique Recommendation: My favorite shop for beautiful lavender pouches is Petits Points de Provence in Menerbes. The owner is very friendly and makes everything herself. She will even customize on the spot. She also has a beautiful selection of table linens which can be monogrammed.
Handmade Ceramic Cigales (Cicadas)
In Provence, the buzzing song of the cigale is the undisputed soundtrack of summer, making these traditional ceramic cicadas a classic symbol of good luck and warm days. Did you know that hanging a hand-painted ceramic cigale near an entryway or outdoors on a patio is an age-old local custom to welcome good fortune and sunshine into your home? Well now you absolutely must have one! And while this is not something that I always bring home, it is something I have always wanted and I finally brought one home this time.
- Shopping & Packing Tip: Pass on the brightly painted, mass-produced plastic versions and seek out local potter stalls offering hand-glazed earthenware. Ask the vendor to wrap your ceramic piece tightly in heavy bubble wrap (they usually do this anyway), and keep it safe in your carry-on bag for the flight home.
- Unique Recommendation: Look for the iconic earthenware cigale design by Louis Sicard originally created in 1895.
Hand-Carved Olive Wood Kitchenware
From heavy salad servers and rustic cutting boards to delicate salt cellars, olive wood items are as functional as they are beautiful. Made from the dense, beautifully marbled wood of non-producing olive trees, each piece features a completely unique grain pattern that grows richer and darker over time with proper care. We have collected a few pieces that we use all the time while cooking or entertaining.
- Shopping & Packing Tip: Run your hand over the surface to ensure the wood is smooth and free from deep cracks or split grain. Once you get your treasures home, rub them occasionally with a drop of food-safe mineral oil to keep the rich wood grain hydrated and glowing.
- Unique Recommendation: We found the best olive wood vendor in Apt. He had the most unique pieces, including very large bowls and sculptures.
Small-Batch Provençal Olive Oil
A bottle or tin of cold-pressed, extra virgin olive oil from a local Luberon mill is the ultimate edible souvenir. Market vendors often have small tasting stations where you can sample different varieties—ranging from peppery, grassy early-harvest oils to smoother, buttery finishing oils produced from local groves around villages like Gordes and Lourmarin.
- Shopping & Packing Tip: Whenever possible, buy your oil in a sealed metal tin rather than a glass bottle. Tins protect the oil from light damage on your journey, are significantly lighter to travel with, and won’t shatter in your checked luggage!
- Unique Recommendation: Moulin Saint Augustin is one of many mills in the Luberon you can visit. For a list of more working mills in the area, click here.
French Antiques or Artwork
One of my absolute favorite finds from an antique shop in Apt is a charming, vintage ceramic canister originally made to hold tobacco (tabac). These small, character-filled pots bring a touch of old-world French history to any space and are endlessly versatile around the house. I’m thinking of repurposing mine on a bathroom vanity to hold Q-tips or displaying it on a coffee table next to a favorite candle to keep matches within easy reach.
- Shopping & Packing Tip: Look for pieces with crisp vintage lettering and minimal structural damage—minor crazing in the glaze adds wonderful antique patina, but avoid deep cracks along the base. Since vintage ceramics are irreplaceable, wrap the pot in thick clothing or sweater sleeves and nestle it securely near the center of your hard-shell suitcase.
Other Special Treasures I Have Brought Home
After three summers in the Luberon, I have found many special things. I have found beautiful espadrilles, hand-painted ceramics, handmade jewelry, several linen dresses, and delicious wines (of course). The above list are things I recommend you look for, especially if it is your first time.
There is a unique magic to bringing a piece of Provence back into your daily routine, whether it’s the quiet ritual of aromatizing your dressing area with lavender sachets or drizzling green olive oil over summer tomatoes. Every market visit tells a story, and the treasures you gather become long-lasting memories of slow mornings in the French countryside.
Now, I’d love to hear from you: Have you ever visited the markets in the Luberon, and what is the favorite souvenir or antique you’ve ever brought home from France? Let me know in the comments below!
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xo – Erin
My Luberon Market Shopping Guide: What to Buy, What to Skip, and My Favorite French Treasures appeared first on CathedralsandCafes.com. If you see this content published anywhere else, please email cathedralsandcafes@gmail.com.
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