Best Provence markets or shops for tablecloths, napkins, etc?

Posted by lgalen on 04/15/22 10:07 PM

We'll be in Provence, staying right in the middle of town in Lourmarin for about 10 days. Last time we visited, we stayed in a farmhouse just on the edge of town in Goult. We loved going to the markets, especially for the beautiful table linens. At the beginning of our trip, we wound up buying a too large tablecloth at a shop in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, and regretting not having our table measurements along. We also saw some that were more casual, and less expensive than the ones in the shop. I know that some of these products are of inferior quality and made in the far east, so I intend to be careful.

Any suggestions for towns that might have a better selection than at some other markets? Hints on what to look for?

Many thanks!
Lisa

Posted by Janis

WA State

04/15/22 11:08 PM

3961 posts

Lisa, when we were visiting Arles on the RS Loire to the south of France our guide recommended a linen shop. Several of us purchased table linens there. I also referred a cousin who was there couple years after us. Unfortunately I don’t have the name of the shop. The linens were high quality and reasonable. After 4 years the tablecloth is still my favorite.

Posted by Barbara

04/16/22 12:04 AM

755 posts

Lisa, there are so many beautiful table linens in France, it’s difficult to choose. A few quality brands that offer styles and colors we associate with Provence are: Jacquard Français, Garnier Thibault, Linvosges, Madura, Souleiado. I’m glad you’re taking your table measurements converted to centimeters, adding in the normal 10” drop on each side.

Aix-en-Provence main market days are Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. They also have a daily produce market. I’ve been told that Thursday is better for household and linens. As always, look for a care label and type of material. Aix also has a number of linen stores, Sud Étoffe is one with Provençal designs, catering more to visitors.

For everyday tablecloths, you might want to look in stores for tablecloths marked “enduit”. This “enduit” matte finish retains most of the suppleness of the cotton fabric, but allows spills to bead up. You’ll still need to wipe immediately. Actually I have one on my dining table right now, that I’ve used for years. They are not at all like the plastified cloths we have in the US.

Hope this helped and have a great trip!

Posted by Elizabeth

L'Occitanie, France

04/17/22 06:16 AM

10629 posts

If you are looking for the sunflower, olives, lavender printed material that was so popular a while ago, it's much harder to find now. If you find something you like and it's the right size, you should buy it. There are few vendors with that now.

I used to to look for good hemming, binding when I bought placemats and tablecloths.

Many excellent brands of French linens are named above. One is Provencal, Soulieado, but not sold in markets.