Marché Provençal de Grasse (Cours Honoré Cresp)
Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning, the Cours Honoré Cresp erupts into one of the most aromatic outdoor markets in Provence — stalls piled with lavender honey, tapenade, fresh chèvre and great wheels of socca batter ready for the griddle. Arrive before 9 h to beat the crowds and get the best olives.
What to buy and eat
Local producers from the Préalpes de Grasse drive in before dawn with bundles of fresh thyme, wild asparagus in spring, and fat Cavaillon melons in July. The cheesemakers from the Var valley offer tastings freely — accept every one.
Look for crystallised violet and rose-petal confections sold by Maison Florian, a family business that has been candying flowers since 1921; a small box makes the perfect edible souvenir and travels well.
The rhythm of the market
By 10 h the café terraces around the square fill with locals nursing café crème and dissecting the morning's purchases; pull up a wicker chair at the Bar du Cours and order a pastis if the sun is already warm enough — it usually is.
The market wraps up around 13 h and stallholders pack away briskly; if you linger you'll sometimes find last-minute price cuts on ripe tomatoes and bruised peaches that are perfect for a picnic lunch up at the Parc Communal.
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