Aix en Provence Shopping and Districts

(Aix en Provence, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, France)

The main shopping areas in Aix en Provence are easy accessible on foot. Whether you're interested in shopping for clothes, books, antiques, food, or a special gift to take back home, Aix en Provence certainly isn't lacking in opportunities.

As well as the usual high street shops that can be found in most French cities, there are also a wealth of smaller, independent shops which sell a range of local and regional products. Many of these can be found in the charming Old Town district, although it's worth exploring other areas of Aix en Provence for its many hidden gems and endless shopping.

When to Shop and Opening Hours

Shops in Aix en Provence are generally open between 08:00 and 12:00, closing for a couple of hours at lunchtime and then staying open until late, usually 19:00. Most shops are closed on Sunday and many also close on Mondays.

Where to Shop

Traditional Provençal material and pottery objects are in plentiful supply in Aix, as are local wines and olive oil. The best-known of Aix's souvenirs are its 'calissons', a marzipan-like confectionery which are usually presented in distinctively styled boxes.

In the Old Town are of Aix en Provence, there are a few good bookshops which are popular haunts for collectors of rare books. This is also a good place to shop if you're looking for local food specialties. Antique-hunters won't be disappointed and the Mazarin District is where the best antique shopping is to be found.

An important part of life in Aix en Provence on Saturday mornings is a visit to one of its many open-air markets - a memorable shopping experience. Three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, the city's main market is held on the Place des Prêcheurs, next to the Palais de Justice. The Place de l'Hôtel de Ville hosts a fresh produce market every day, and a flower market every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

For everyday shopping, the city centre supermarket, Monoprix on the Cours Mirabeau, sells most things, including groceries, cosmetics, stationery and clothes. On the outskirts of Aix en Provence, Carrefour Les Milles is a large supermarket and busy shopping centre.