Notre Aventure Française, 2013: 3rd November, Market Day at Ilse sur la Sorgue

L'Isle sur la Sorgue is one of those places in Provence that, it is said, one has to see. It is 25 kms east of Avignon and is surrounded by the river Sorgue. Walking along the sides of the canals that criss cross the town gives you the impression that you may be in Venice, but on a much smaller scale and with the absence of canal traffic.The canals run between the narrow ancient streets, with little bridges to connect them. Magnificent mansions within the town have been converted into art galleries, and antique lovers and art collectors are catered for by the nearly 300 permanent antique dealers and second hand shops here.

But we were there today for the Sunday Market. The market operates on two days of the week, on Thursday and Sunday. Isle sur la Sorgue has developed quite a reputation for its Sunday market and it is what Isle sur la Sorgue has become famous for around the world. It operates all morning until 1.30 pm. and we were advised to get there early as car parking can be quite a challenge even at 9 am. We arrived at about 8.30 and comfortably parked in the railway station car park and were in the market area, a short 100 meters' walk away, while some stall holders were still setting up. The crowd built quickly as I think that they had all heard about the 9 am parking crush and if we had arrived at 9.30 we would have been in trouble, I'm sure.

The stalls were many and varied, ranging from fruit and vegetables, to meats, both fresh and processed, pastries, cakes, clothes, foot ware, speciality soaps and oils, olives of all colours, stuffing's and flavours, jewellery, cheeses of all types, chillies, freshly cooked food including pizzas, chickens, paella, and crockery, pots and pans, kitchen utensils not seen at home, speciality knives, antiques and brocante and silverware. We saw several of the unknown devices we bought in the Sablet market last week. We got a bargain.
We were told that the market we visited in Vienne, now two months ago, was the second largest market in France after Paris, but I now think that claim belongs to Ilse sur la Sorgue. This market is huge. I am sure that every second French town has a claim to the biggest or the best of something or other.

We agree that the Ilse sur la Sorgue Sunday Market is a must see. Put it on your list for your next visit to Provence, but get there early.