Aix-en-Provence Shopping

This is a beautiful display of flowers. It is worth walking back here just to look and smell, if not to buy. I prefer the market at Place de l'Hotel de Ville

Everyday from 9am to 12:30

Place de l'Hôtel de Ville and Place des Prêcheurs

The website below will give you all the information you need.

What to buy: Flowers

There are very few of Tintin Shops. Aix en provence has got one. You can find all kinds of items such as clothes, essay books about Hergé's work, Tintin scenes re-created in 3D, stationary, etc...

What to pay: Unfortunately , apart for the post cards, it is quite an expensive shop.

Ok now I am very serious about this !!
Bread is sacred in France. But very good bread has become very rare.
I buy my bread at the market of Aix en provence ONLY and store it in the freezer.
If you go to the market you MUST try some of the Olive bread and the Chestnut bread.
The baker is situated not far from the café la Madeleine. He is an Algerian and his name is OMAR. Try to make an effort to find him, his bread is really excellent.

What to pay: Bread : about 5€ / kg

The window display will lure you into this famous patisserie. The specialty are the Callisons d'Aix which are a delicious cross between a candy and a cake made from ground almonds, preserved melon and fruit syrup. There are other wonderful delites that will tempt you, such as chocolates and pastries. All pastries are freshly made daily.

What to buy: Try the callisons d'Aix.

Monoprix reminds me of Penney's only it has a grocery store downstairs. I did most of my grocery shopping there. Upstairs,I found hats,scarves,cosmetics and handbags to be my items of choice.

What to buy: Downstairs: food items.

Upstairs: clothing,cosmetics, bakery goods.

Since it has been 6 years that I have been there, please feel free to update me if there have been any changes.

What to pay: Average prices.

The picture here gives a few of the numerous streets where you can shop. As a matter of fact, the whole historical centre of the city holds hundreds of shops of all kinds. From provencal fabrics or earthenware to expensive brand clothes.

What to pay: Aix en provence is a very expensive town. Many shops are "prestigious" for cosmetics or women clothes for instance. So don't expect to make deals there. You will find some really nice items though.

Cds, DVDs, this is where I used to come ALL THE TIME. they have most of the new titles in by artists from around the world, not just France, and they have a great second hand section downstairs, where I picked up many a rare CD that I had hitherto not yet found even in London.

Bechard's is the oldest bakery in Aix-en-Provence. They have an unbelievable assortment of sweets and honestly, I could easily spend every bit of money I have there happily. Aix is known for their "calissons." Calissons are made of ground almonds, preserved melons and orange rind surrounded by a wafer and covered in icing. They are sinfully delicious and the best I tasted were from Bechard. But what makes Bechard so special to me are their truffles. I originally bought several small bags as gifts for friends. But, then I tasted them and...well, I ate them all (oops). The shop itself if small and gorgeous. The staff were incredibly friendly and beyond patient with my not-quite French.

Honestly, whenever I learn of anyone going to France, I see if they can stop at Bechard for me. I am that addicted to their truffles.

What to pay: I don't remember exact prices, but I travel on a budget and don't recall being put out at their prices. The truffles are worth their weight in gold.