Arles Shopping

I like to motor around Provence from Chateauneuf du Pape to buy local wines, but this last Sept. '03
I was fortunate enough to find this excellent wine merchant in Arles.

The proprietor Jean-Michel was what all businessmen should be: helpful, knowledgeable, kind, passionate about his product, and patient.

I bought 6 bottles of various Provence/Cotes du Rhones. (5 made it home, 1 mysteriously disappeared one night in Hotel Calendal's garden around midnight). burp....

What to buy: Surrender to Jean-Michel's recommendations. He is honest, trustworthy, and has forgotten more about Provence wine than I will ever know.

I recommend Chateauneuf du Pape in the good years (90, 95, 98, 2000) and Rasteau (thank you Lady Porteplume).

Let Jean-Michel do the rest.

What to pay: For ~150 Euros I came home with 6 bottles (minus 1) that in 2 years will be worth over $1000, if you could even find them in the correct vintages.
But that is purely mental masturbation, as I can guarantee in about 2.5 years it will all be a delicious memory.

Since I will drink it all, I suppose I will be forced to return in 2005 and buy more. Tough work I know, but somebody's gotta' do it.

~ This is a weekly outdoor Market that takes place every Wednesday and Saturday, until noon.

Saturday: Bd. des Lices and Bd. Georges-Clémenceau.
Wednesday: Bd. Émile Combes.

On the first Wednesday of every month there is a foire à la brocantes (antique fair) on Bd. des Lices.

~ A feast for all the senses!!!

What to buy: ~ You can buy locally grown produce, to make some great meals, or, cooked and prepared foods to eat on the spot!

~ Lots of items made of colorful fabrics, by the metre (such as the bright Provencal fabrics), or skirts and tops, and bed and table linens.

~ Herbs and spices of the South and their famous Lavender!!

~ Locally made soaps and toiletries from natural ingredients.

~ Art and hand-crafted items such as oil paintings, watercolors, painted porcelains, carved wooden objects, pottery, and the famous Santons.

~ Antiques such as watches, jewellery, coins, laces, buttons, books, household items and furniture.

What to pay: Very reasonable prices as you are buying directly from the producer.

Market days in Arles are every Wed and Saturday.

Here is my Market Day Travelogue -(click below):

Market Day in Arles

What to buy: See travelogue above

What to pay: Many items negotiable which is half the fun

The farmers' market is held every Wednesday and Saturday (we caught the Saturday market). Not only was food on sale, but also we found clothing, knick-knacks, and souvenirs on sale as well. We picked up some food here prior to catching the bus to go to Les Baux, and some souvenirs for our parents.

You should not miss Arles Saturday street market. It constitutes these kind of experiences that make a travel truly unforgettable. Even now, writing these lines, I can still remember the intense human activity, the colorful shops, but especially the scent… a myriad of scents that somehow managed to compose a marvelous symphony. If you only have a day to visit Arles it should be a Saturday. No doubt about that.

What to buy: The market is just the perfect place to buy local goods