We are arriving in Provence on a Sunday, unfortunately after the outdoor markets close. We are flying into Marseilles and then driving to an apartment near Nîmes. Does anyone know where we can shop for groceries? I noticed that the Monoprix near Marseilles is closed on Sundays and that Rick states that some stores within the city are open, but we want to avoid driving into it. Thank you!
Posted by
Sachse, Texas, USA
53 posts
Well I don't have anything specific for you but this is a problem that we have encountered in the past.
When we first rented a villa in Vacqueyras back in 2003 finding anything open on a Sunday was almost impossible. We have been back to the same area 4 times since and just last year we found that the Intermarche in Sarrians was actually open for limited hours on a Sunday. Sarrians is a fairly small town so perhaps you can find something in Nimes that would be open. Try a google search of Intermarche or Carrefours.
Here in the US we are so used to stores being open 24/7 that it is sometimes hard to remember that we are pretty much the exception. France is changing slowly but I don't think they would call it progress!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32228 posts
Marissa,
You'd probably have better luck finding stores open in Marseilles on a Sunday. You might ask the car rental staff, as I'm sure they'd have some idea on which stores would be open.
The "last resort" option would be to just use restaurants on Sunday, and head to the market on Monday morning.
Happy travels!
Posted by
San Diego, CA, United States
864 posts
We were staying in Austria and decided on a Thursday to go to Salzburg for the day. Driving there I remarked to my husband "gee there sure are a lot of cars pulling caravans going the other way..." Then I noticed the grocery store we used looked, well, closed at 10 a.m. Ah well.....tootle tootle on. It was Father's Day. The only things open were restaurant's and the mini markets at the petrol stations. This goes for grocery markets generally on Sunday as well. Check any local holidays to be prepared. That said you can indeed fix dinner and breakfast from goods purchased at the petrol shop. (Take your own coffee/tea in your luggage...a person can only adapt so much!)
Posted by
Fort Wayne, IN, USA
2349 posts
You may have to pick up something at the airport so you at least will have breakfast the next day.