Les Halles Market

The Basics

Throughout the week, cooking classes allow you to learn local recipes and tricks of the trade from well-regarded chefs. The mini-courses start by choosing fresh market ingredients before hunkering down in the kitchen to prepare and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Half-day sightseeing tours tack on the most popular attractions in the elegant old city, including Palais des Papes overlooking the city and the famous Pont d’Avignon. If you have more time, spend the morning at wineries in the charming Châteauneuf du Pape, one of France’s first AOCs, before continuing onto Avignon and the market.

Things to Know Before You Go

Les Halles Market is an ideal spot for gourmands and foodies.
Ask for your cheeses to be vacupacked (for no extra charge) for safe-keeping.
Make a picnic lunch to enjoy at the elegant garden above the Palais des Papes or along the riverbank.
Don’t miss the cooking demonstrations on Saturdays or the chance to sign up for a cooking class.

Trip ideas

How to Spend 3 Days in Avignon

Go beyond Avignon's medieval attractions and the nearby countryside sights to the vineyards of Rhône Valley and the landscapes that inspired Van Gogh.

How to Spend 2 Days in Avignon

Home to UNESCO-listed medieval ramparts and Provencal surroundings, the old city of Avignon deserves at least two days of your Provence vacation if you can spare it.

Provence Day Trips from Avignon

How to Spend 1 Day in Avignon

With just one day in Avignon, you’ll get to experience the city’s medieval ramparts, go on a short trip out to the lavender fields of Provence, and make it back in time for dinner and drinks in the city’s main square.

How to Get There

Les Halles Market is at Place Pie in Avignon, easy walking distance from most attractions in the city including Palais des Papes and Musée Calvet. To get to Avignon, catch a bus from the main station on boulevard St-Roch to/from Marseilles, Nice, and Cannes. If driving, the market has its own parking garage.

When to Get There

The market is open Tuesday through Sunday, from early in the morning (about 6am) to early afternoon (about 1:30pm). Come on a Saturday morning around 11am (September through July) when a different renown chef offers cooking demonstrations using fresh ingredients from the market at kiosks marked “petite cuisine” on the market’s southern corners.

Wildcard

Palais des Papes For a moment in the 14th century, the seat of the Roman Church moved from Rome to Avignon, requiring a brand new home to be built. What the leaders received still stands as the largest Gothic palace in the world. Tour the interior to see grand rooms—richly decorated with tapestries, frescoes and carved ceilings made of wood—and secret passages used by the clergy.