Where to Find a Market in the Luberon on Mondays
Provençal villages, layered landscapes, centuries of history packed into a few dozen kilometres — the Luberon doesn't lean on a single attraction to draw people in. Nature, culture, food: the region pulls from all three depending on who's visiting.
Narrow lanes in Lauris, the climb up Colline Saint-Jacques in Cavaillon, the citadel at Forcalquier, market stalls loaded with everything the local terroir produces — alongside hiking trails, vineyards, and views stretching out from the Luberon's higher ridges. Adventure, downtime, a deep dive into local culture: the region bends to whatever the visit calls for.
This guide covers Monday markets across the Luberon — opening hours, locations, what to expect at each. Nearly every village here runs a market at least once a week, and several add farmers' markets or evening markets on top of that.
Buying straight from local producers offers a different way into the region altogether — regional specialities, dedicated artisans, and the particular warmth that runs through a Luberon market on a good morning.
Monday market in Lauris, southern Luberon
Hours: 8:00am to 12:30pm
Fresh lavender, local cheeses, and fruit still warm from the sun fill the stalls lining Lauris's cobbled streets every Monday morning. Olives from nearby groves sit next to handwoven textiles, giving the whole street an unfiltered look at how daily life runs here.
Place Joseph Garnier becomes the village's centre of gravity every Monday morning. Locals cross paths with visitors, regional specialities cover the stalls, and conversation, more often than not, runs longer than the actual shopping.
This weekly gathering reflects something the commune takes seriously: keeping local craft and regional culture visible and active. Lauris also runs a farmers' market on Thursdays, plus an evening market the same day.
Thursday morning farmers' market in Lauris
Every Thursday morning, the farmers' market sets up near Café Villageois on Avenue de la Gare. Hours move with the calendar, running 5:00pm to 7:00pm through winter and stretching to 6:00pm–8:00pm once summer arrives. It's a straightforward producer-to-customer setup, seasonal goods only, with an atmosphere that feels distinctly Provençal.
Thursday evening market in Lauris
Place Joseph Garnier fills up again from 5:00pm to 11:00pm — local craft on display, an easy evening for strolling, regional goods spread across the square. A Thursday night worth setting aside time for in the Luberon.
Cavaillon's market: a Luberon tradition
Cavaillon's market traces back to the nineteenth century, built on the reputation of its famous melons. A new rail line opened northern France to these local crops, and by 1892 the weekly Thursday market had grown into a daily summer event. Trade volumes by 1894 were considerable. That intensity eased by the mid-twentieth century, but the market itself never stopped.
Monday market in Cavaillon
Hours: 8:00am to 12:00pm (12:30pm in summer)
Vendor numbers swing between 180 and 190 depending on the time of year, which places this among the largest producer markets in the entire Luberon — and unlike many, it runs straight through every season. Local produce, craftwork, and regional specialities fill the stalls, none of it shipped in from far away.
A second, smaller market runs every Friday on Place des Fêtes in Cavaillon, from 8:00am to 1:00pm, with 35 to 40 vendors.
What's on offer at Cavaillon's market
Cherries, grapes, figs, olives, Cavaillon's own melons — seasonal fruit and vegetables take centre stage. Beyond that: lavender honey, goat cheese, lamb, and AOP Luberon wine round out a fairly complete tour of the local terroir, all within a handful of stalls.
The market's history
Cavaillon's reputation didn't form overnight. Decades of local trade went into it, along with the railway link to the north and the melon harvest that put the town on the map in the first place. The volume of trade by 1894 was considerable enough to leave a lasting mark, and that level of activity held through the mid-twentieth century before settling into something steadier.
Friday market
Place des Fêtes, starting at 6:00am, with 35 to 40 vendors depending on the season — Cavaillon's Friday market draws both locals and visitors through until 1:00pm. Same easygoing atmosphere as Monday, just a different day.
Producers' evening market
From March through September, every Thursday evening, Parc du Grenouillet in Cavaillon turns into a producers' market. It runs from 4:00pm to 6:30pm, drawing in committed local farmers and seasonal produce, with tastings put together by regional restaurant owners. One product gets featured each month, and on the last Thursday, a free raffle sends home a basket stocked with goods straight from the producers.
Forcalquier's market, in the Grand Luberon
Monday in Forcalquier means market day, and locals treat it as something close to an institution. It's counted among the most recognisable markets in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, and quite possibly one of the liveliest in all of Provence. Whoever's around tends to show up — residents, visitors, and the regulars who never miss a Monday.
Close to 200 stalls fill the town centre every Monday. Colour, scent, genuinely good produce — the kind of atmosphere that's hard to manufacture artificially.
Where the market sets up
Running from 8:00am to 1:00pm through the busy streets of the town centre, the market spreads across several distinct zones. Fresh fruit and vegetables, poultry, flowers, and plenty more besides. Stalls fill the artisans' courtyard, dedicated to local craftspeople. In the old town, they spread across Place Saint-Michel, Rue Mercière, Rue Grande, and Rue Planchud. Around Place Sicard, Rue Marcel André, Rue Louis Andrieux, and Place Martin Bret, more stalls appear. The main thoroughfares — Place du Bourguet, Boulevard Latourette, Boulevard Berluc Pérussis, Boulevard des Martyrs — carry the rest.
It's one of the most visited markets anywhere in the Grand Luberon.
Summer changes
From the first Monday of July through the last Monday of August, the market expands considerably — roughly 50 additional vendors set up along Boulevard des Martyrs and Avenue Fontauris. The whole town takes on a bigger scale during those weeks.
Three free, well-marked car parks serve the market: Espace Culturel Bonne Fontaine to the east, the old rugby ground to the west, and the Grands Jardins area near Place de Verdun.
Monday morning in Forcalquier captures something of Provençal life that hasn't been smoothed over for visitors.
Terroir, craft, producers, atmosphere — every Monday market in the Luberon carries its own character. Each village keeps to its own rhythm, yet taken together, they add up to a Provence that's still working for a living, not just performing for visitors. Worth the detour, whichever village ends up on the itinerary.
Luberon markets throughout the week
Tuesday markets
Wednesday markets
Thursday markets
Friday markets
Saturday markets
Sunday markets
