The Viking “Portraits of Southern France” river cruise I recently took was one of the most enjoyable vacation experiences I’ve ever had. Our plane landed in Marseille and a one and a half hour coach ride took us to Avignon where we boarded our cruise ship. Our eight day cruise took us to Arles, Vivier, Tournon, Vienne, Beaune and Chalon-sur-Soane. These old cities were built right along the rivers so we were able to easily walk to and explore them. I have been asked so many questions about this cruise and I have several friends who are taking this same river trip this summer so I thought I would share some of the requested highlights and photos.
Avignon is one of the major cities of Provence and is famous for being the place to which popes fled in the 14th century to get away from the Church’s corruption in Rome. It is located on the banks of the Rhone River and the Pope’s Palace still stands in the city center. In Les Halles a group of approximately 40 small family-owned shops sell regional products: cheeses, charcuterie, meat, breads and fish, along with such items as dozens of varieties of tapenades or sea salt perfumed with rose petals.
The market hall was built in the heart of the city at the end of the 19th century. In the 1970’s shopping malls threatened its existence so new parking facilities were built and the old market demolished and rebuilt. In 2006 the city of Avignon covered the stark market hall façade with a huge and dramatic vegetable garden designed by the botanist Patrick Blanc, who also created a similar installation at the Musée des Arts Premiers in Paris. We visited many indoor and outdoor food markets on our trip and, if you can believe it, this is the smallest one we explored.
As you approach the market hall the first thing you will notice is the stunning display of flowers and plants.
Wine, bread and cheese are on everyone’s shopping lists.
What an impressive display of herbs and spices! I bought an herb blend for fish and a large bottle of herbs de Provence.
This was our first sighting of the large white asparagus that is available for a few weeks in the Spring.
The olive vendor’s booth was one of the most popular spots at the market. Our cruise director (red jacket) was in line to purchase olives for the evening dinner buffet.
The variety of available prepared foods was amazing. I wanted to try every single item.
It is easy to spend several hours browsing the aisles of a wonderful market like this one. You can purchase little bits of this and that so you can try foods you aren’t familiar with or have always wants to taste. Les Halles wasn’t a part of the organized tour but it was easy to walk to on our own. There are several restaurants inside where you can stop for lunch, or picnic supplies are available to take to the park in the town square. The market opens early and closes at 1:00 pm.
This post is linked to OH, THE PLACES I HAVE BEEN at The Tablescaper
Ohhhhhh, I would eat myself into a coma!
Yup, that can happen.
Cathy recently posted..Les Halles d’Avignon – A Traditional Food Market in Provence
Somehow my tub of yogurt for lunch has lost it’s appeal! Honestly, Cathy, each photo got better and better. Please tell me that you purchased a loaf of that bread, a hunk of cheese and a bottle of wine for lunch one day!!
Best,
Bonnie
Bonnie recently posted..Rhubarb Cobbler
We made those purchases many times, Bonnie. Despite all the wonderful food simple bread and cheese was often our favorite.
Cathy recently posted..Les Halles d’Avignon – A Traditional Food Market in Provence
Oh my Cathy, I think I would have lost my brains for sure!
The Café Sucre Farine recently posted..Best Ever!!! Marinara Sauce
Quel festin pour nos yeux Cathy..
In effect our neighbor was on a Viking River Cruise..Italy ..Venice etc..
She loved it..said their group was terrific..she also said the French one they took was still their favorite..They are not foodies but true travelers..She’s been everywhere I think..
At our small market here sat..I went ..and met a couple who moved to MTL six yrs ago..from Avignon..her booth/canopy..was the most original with true true French items..
They used to do the markets in Provence..Charming charming..she is also an artisan..of clothing..all the things I loved in Provence.
Thank you so much for the pics:)
My kind of pleasure and shopping.Exactement.
Monique recently posted..Se Plaindre Le Ventre Plein~
So glad you enjoyed the cruise Cathy. I’ve sent your posts about it to my husband. We both love France so much, but have never taken a cruise there. Plus I’m so glad to got to see some of Provence on your trip. Arles and Avignon are so special to us.
The prepared food you found at Les Halles looks fabulous. Small boucherie shops in Provence have gourmet take out meals, but nothing like the selection at Les Halles.
Sam
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen recently posted..Citrusy Tomato and Olive Salsa with Salmon
We loved Arles too, Sam. The Roman ruins were so beautiful. To see where Van Gogh worked and lived was wonderful. Every day was an awesome discovery.
Cathy recently posted..Les Halles d’Avignon – A Traditional Food Market in Provence
Hours? I could spend days at that market! Fantastic!
Carol @ Always Thyme to Cook recently posted..Steamers!
It is fantastic, Carol. This is one of the little markets. The big one in Lyon left us speechless.
Cathy recently posted..Les Halles d’Avignon – A Traditional Food Market in Provence
I can just imagine!
Carol @ Always Thyme to Cook recently posted..Steamers!
You must come away from these trips much the same way as we do. There is so much to see and so much to eat and so little time. We have always wanted to live a year in Provence to enjoy it all slowly and more seriously. Beautiful photos. Asparagus…first sighting……sigh….
Susan recently posted..A lucky find and a delightful treat
A year in Provence would be wonderful, Susan. I think it would change us forever.
Cathy recently posted..Les Halles d’Avignon – A Traditional Food Market in Provence
Nothing like a little time in France to give you plenty of blog posts. Those French know how to throw a farmers market – it looks magnificent and I could spend hours there.
Larry recently posted..Maiden RV Voyage
This cruise line should be giving you a commission! You are making me want to sign up for the exact same adventure you had.
Sue/the view from great island recently posted..Minimal Monday: Heirloom Cherry Tomato Tart
Wouldn’t that be the perfect world, Sue! It’s fun sharing such a great experience. By the time you see all my cruise posts you will be packing your suitcase.
Cathy recently posted..Les Halles d’Avignon – A Traditional Food Market in Provence
Nothing beats the markets in Provence, not even the ones I just visited in the Loire Valley.
Cathy,
I just can’t decide which photo I like best…the flowers are stunning, the cheese varieties and baked goods look amazing! LOVE, love, love:)
Blessings, Aimee
PS: And I was very happy to know that I still remember some of my HS French–yippee!
I have visited the famous West Side Market in Cleveland but this market looks absolutely beautiful. I would have wanted to try everything also!
Rhonda recently posted..The Deen Brothers’ Marinated Chicken Gyro Wrap
Is there a better word than jealous? This all sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
Madonna/aka/Ms. Lemon recently posted..Spicy Spinach Dip
A lovely sight of the market, I am very impressed with how clean the place is! Amazing array of food indeed!
Jeannie recently posted..Braised porkbelly with mushrooms and wild cloud ears fungus
Ah, Cathy, the food blogger who visits a city in France and only talks about the market! I love it! Don’t we all do it? And what a fabulous market – I shared this post with a friend of my cousin’s who happened to just email me asking for advice about Avignon! Now I want to visit, too. And I would love to do the cruise, too. Happy you!
Wow! It it amazing to me, to think that they can sell so much, that the case of bread loaves doesn’t have a chance to get stale. Those flowers are spectacular…I would have been in Heaven! (not to mention all that wine) LOL
Rettabug recently posted..Prayers for OK Tornado Victims
ohmygoodness, between the cheese, the olives, the meats and the spices my head would have been spinning. I surely would have over bought.
I do love visiting markets when traveling and this looks so special. What a wonderful cruise. I told my husband it needs to go on our list of things to do.
Marilyn recently posted..Peek-a-Boo
Hi Cathy!
I’ve heard so many wonderful things about the Viking River Cruises, and this one sounds exceptionally enjoyable. We will a special anniversary coming up next year, so perhaps my husband and I will finally treat ourselves to one of the cruises.
France has such gorgeous natural beauty and the most divine markets–your photos are magnificent!
Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti recently posted..Spring Skies and Catch Up News
The market – Wow! It would be difficult to walk through quickly. What an assortment.
~Judy
JG recently posted..Celebrating My Town’s History
What a fabulous cruise, Cathy! Your photos are absolutely marvelous…that white asparagus! The cheese!
Barbara recently posted..Strawberry Pistachio Semifreddo
Hubby and I spent time in Avignon and loved it there. You brought back so many wonderful memories with your photos, which are gorgeous. I can’t get over the size of the white asparagus. Wow. It’s almost obscene.
The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time recently posted..Pasta with Peas, Cheese and Ham from All You Magazine’s Summer Fun 2013 Special Interest Publication
Markets like this are the best thing about traveling.
bellini recently posted..Sweet Italian Sausage and Fennel Calzone with Provolone del Monaco and Marinara Dipping Sauce
Oh my goodness, this looks absolutely amazing. I can imagine trying to stuff my suitcase!
Thanks for being a part of “Oh, the PLACES I’ve been!”
– The Tablescaper
Oh my goodness! This brings back strong memories of Avignon for me. It was a really long time ago (you know, in the pre-kids era!) but we LOVED Avignon. Thanks so much for sharing. Made me smile.
Esther recently posted..Disney World Family Takes on Disneyland: Characters
I think I can spend the whole day there, as long as there’s samples 🙂 Everything looks so amazing and mouth watering – I can’t imagine not trying everything!
noel recently posted..Frifoto photo series – It’s Summer
I just stumbled onto your website while I was trying to find a place see to order salt/herb blends online. We also did this Viking trip last April, and enjoyed this market so much! I bought some of the salt blends, and have been using them sparingly. They add so much flavor! I’ll be running out soon, so guess we’ll just have to go back to France to buy more! It was so nice to see your pictures. Thank you!