Provencal Market in Antibes

I love markets.   Over time I’ve become a market addict and it’s always on my list of must-do’s for wherever we are.   Now, for a little while, not only do I get to visit the market, I get to take things home for lunch and dinner.   

  

 

The Provencal Market in Antibes has been named one of the world’s best.  Set in a permanent building at one end of Vieil Antibes (the old town), just beside the old ramparts and the port, it's the place everyone heads for.  At this time of year the weekdays are a bit quiet (it’s open every day but Monday in winter), but Saturdays and Sundays the space overflows with both vendors and shoppers, everyone intent on getting what they need and then home for Sunday dinner.  

Fruits and vegetables, herbs and spices, candied fruits and olives…olives…olives.  

For Christmas there were people selling holly and mistletoe, as well as big hunks of nougat and fresh oysters.   On one end you can buy socca,  the big crepe made of chick-pea flour and olive oil, fresh from the wood-fired oven, sprinkled with pepper.   

 

Vendors offer tastes of tapenade, of cheese, of olives, so you can nibble your way through the throng.   Some are even willing to put you to work.

 Along the side are cafés and restaurants, shops selling fresh pasta and foie gras, more fish and pâtés, roasted chicken and rabbit.   On Sundays a small section of the clothing market migrates down to the entrance and you can pick up a scarf or sweater as well.

On Saturday and Sunday afternoon, the artisan’s market takes over and you can stroll through displays of artwork, pottery and sculpture.