Let's Go to the Market in Vaison-la-Romaine

We look forward to Tuesday mornings because it is the day for the weekly market in Vaison-la-Romaine. That morning, rain or shine, always finds us leaving the house early for the trip to Vaison-la-Romaine. A trip to a market, especially this market in Vaison-la-Romaine is my favorite thing to do. 

Vaison-la-Romaine is 6 miles north of Sablet on a winding road and then left around the round-about across the Ouvèze River. You know you are close when you see the castle on the top of the hill.

Medieval Castle of the Counts of Toulouse that stands over Vaison-la-Romaine

After we park our car near the Notre Dame de Nazareth Cathedral, we head toward the market and past some of the Roman ruins that are in Vaison-la-Romaine. 

The Roman ruins lie in the valley on the right bank of the Ouvèze River in two main areas: La Villasse and Puymin. Some of the ruins of La Villasse are shown in the two pictures that follow.

The weekly market is a kaleidoscope of colors and smells of Provence with up to 450 vendors in the summer (pottery, arts and crafts, food stalls of all kinds, local fruits and vegetables, linens, soap, regional specialties, clothing) and spreads out over Place Montfort, the main square in the center of town and nearby streets.

Most of the fish, meat, cheese, fruit and vegetable sellers set up their stands on Cours Taulignan or on one of the cross streets. The market is an ancient tradition dating all the way back to 1483.

Most of the food stalls are located on Cours Taulignan in Vaison la Romaine

Vendor selling individual heads and braids of garlic from Piolenc

Apricots from the Department of the Drôme

Summer truffles and dried Cepes (Porcini mushrooms)

Stone fruit including peaches, nectarines, apricots and plums

A vendor selling paella to go

After we finish our morning shopping, me for fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese and fish, and Shirley for soap, pottery, linens, and souvenirs, we gather for coffee with friends at one of the cafes that line Place Montfort.

Cafes lining Place Montfort

Vaison-la-Romaine is separated by the Ouvèze River into two parts connected by a bridge built by the Romans in the 1st century AD; on the left bank is the old medieval town with the Castle of the Counts of Toulouse at the highest point and on the right bank is the ancient Roman colony and modern town.

Roman Bridge that links the lower town and upper town in Vaison-la-Romaine

Classic Renault Car parked next to us

If you are thinking about a trip to the South of France including spending time in Provence, we invite you to visit our website. Our house is available for rent by the week or more. We still have weeks open in November and through the end of the year and in 2022 and beyond. You can reach me for further information by sending an email to chcmichel@aol.com.