If the sound of clicking wine glasses, the scent of fresh baguettes and the buzz of a local market make your heart sing, France might be the perfect place to call home. Across the country, food isn’t just sustenance, it’s a ritual, a celebration, and a cornerstone of community life. From tiny villages to grand regional cities, weekly farmers’ markets bring together locals and visitors in search of the freshest produce, artisanal cheeses, and seasonal delights.
Whether you’re a dedicated foodie, a home cook, or someone who simply appreciates a slower, more flavourful lifestyle, choosing where to live in France if you love food and farmers’ markets can transform your relocation experience. In this guide, we’ll explore the most delicious corners of France, places where good food, lively markets, and local charm are part of daily life. Prepare to fall in love with France, one bite at a time.
Table of contents
Aix-en-Provence
Bathed in golden light and bursting with Provençal colour, Aix-en-Provence is a paradise for food lovers. This elegant southern town, once home to artist Paul Cézanne, offers not only beauty but also one of the most atmospheric market scenes in France.
What makes it a foodie favourite
- Daily markets spill across Place Richelme, offering seasonal fruit, vegetables, herbs, and fresh bread from early morning.
- Local specialities include tapenade, lavender honey, and fruity olive oils pressed from nearby groves.
- On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, the town hosts larger markets with cheese, charcuterie, spices, and homeware, turning the streets into a sensory feast.
Lifestyle bonus
Aix is known for its sunny climate, walkable streets, and access to vineyards, making it perfect for those who value slow living with flavour. With a mix of expats and French retirees, it strikes a balance between cosmopolitan and relaxed.
Lyon
Often hailed as the gastronomic heart of France, Lyon is where culinary tradition meets city sophistication. With a food culture that dates back centuries, this UNESCO-listed city offers an unbeatable blend of local markets, bouchon restaurants, and world-class produce.
What makes it a foodie favourite
- Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, the city’s iconic indoor market, is a temple to regional specialities, think saucisson, Saint-Marcellin cheese, quenelles, and tarte à la praline.
- Outdoor markets like Marché Saint-Antoine along the river offer fresh vegetables, cured meats, and artisan bread in a postcard-perfect setting.
- Lyon is the birthplace of the bouchon, a small, family-run restaurant serving hearty local fare.
Lifestyle bonus
With excellent public transport, cultural attractions, and easy access to both the Alps and wine country, Lyon is ideal for foodies who want urban energy with deep culinary roots. It’s a thriving, liveable city with soul, and a great spot for second-home seekers or full-time residents alike.
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Sarlat-la-Canéda
Tucked away in the heart of the Dordogne, Sarlat-la-Canéda is a medieval gem renowned for its cobbled streets, golden stone architecture, and irresistible local flavours. For lovers of rustic French cuisine and authentic farmers’ markets, this town is as charming as it is delicious.
What makes it a foodie favourite
- The Saturday and Wednesday markets are some of the most celebrated in France, showcasing foie gras, walnut oil, farm cheeses, duck confit, and seasonal fruit.
- Black truffle season (December to February) transforms the town into a gastronomic destination, with truffle markets and tasting events.
- Local wines, especially from nearby Bergerac, pair perfectly with the region’s earthy dishes.
Lifestyle bonus
With excellent public transport, cultural attractions, and easy access to both the Alps and wine country, Lyon is ideal for foodies who want urban energy with deep culinary roots. It’s a thriving, liveable city with soul, and a great spot for second-home seekers or full-time residents alike.
Uzès
Tucked between Nîmes and Avignon in southern France, Uzès is a lesser-known treasure with all the charm of Provence, minus the crowds. Its historic stone façades, shady squares, and warm community spirit make it a dream for food lovers and slow-living seekers alike.
What makes it a foodie favourite
- The Saturday market in Place aux Herbes is one of the most atmospheric in the region, overflowing with olives, fresh herbs, goat cheeses, tapenades, and seasonal fruit.
- On Wednesdays, a smaller food-focused market brings local producers front and centre.
- The town is surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and small farms, ideal for those who value provenance and sustainability.
Lifestyle bonus
Uzès offers a peaceful pace with strong cultural roots, making it ideal for semi-retirement or relocation. Its location provides easy access to the Camargue, Cévennes, and Mediterranean coast, while still offering a village feel with a foodie soul.
Bayonne
Set between the mountains and the sea in southwest France, Bayonne is a vibrant Basque town that combines deep culinary traditions with a lively, community-focused food scene. If you’re passionate about charcuterie, cheeses, and spicy flavours, Bayonne might just steal your heart.
What makes it a foodie favourite
- Famous for its Bayonne ham (jambon de Bayonne), cured using traditional methods dating back centuries.
- The covered market (Les Halles) buzzes daily with producers selling sheep’s milk cheese, local cider, seafood, and fresh produce from the Pyrenees.
- Local specialities include Basque gâteau, piment d’Espelette (a mild red chilli), and rich chocolate, first introduced here in the 17th century.
Lifestyle bonus
Bayonne blends cultural richness with coastal relaxation. Its strong sense of identity, walkable centre, and proximity to Biarritz, San Sebastián, and the Pyrenees make it a fantastic choice for foodies seeking a spirited town with deep roots and big flavour.
Tours
Located in the heart of the Loire Valley, Tours is a dynamic yet approachable city that effortlessly blends urban convenience with rural abundance. Known for its vibrant markets and surrounding vineyards, it’s an ideal base for food lovers who want to live amid castles, culture, and cuisine.
What makes it a foodie favourite
- Les Halles de Tours, the central covered market, is packed with artisan butchers, bakers, and cheesemongers offering the best of the region.
- Weekly open-air markets throughout the city feature Loire goat cheeses, apples, asparagus, and game in season.
- The city is surrounded by renowned wine regions, Vouvray, Chinon, and Bourgueil, making it easy to enjoy exceptional local bottles.
Lifestyle bonus
Tours offers an excellent quality of life with good rail links to Paris, a thriving university community, and a relaxed pace. It’s a great option for families, remote workers, or anyone who dreams of market-to-table living with a side of châteaux.
Dijon
Famous worldwide for its mustard, Dijon is so much more than a condiment capital. As the historic capital of Burgundy, this refined yet accessible city boasts a thriving market culture, elegant architecture, and a deep-rooted appreciation for food and wine.
What makes it a foodie favourite
- Les Halles de Dijon, designed by Gustave Eiffel, is a beautiful covered market open four days a week, filled with regional meats, cheeses, and produce.
- Local delicacies include pain d’épices (spiced bread), escargots, and of course, traditional Dijon mustard.
- Surrounded by some of France’s finest vineyards, including Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, it’s a wine lover’s dream.
Lifestyle bonus
Dijon combines urban sophistication with small-city charm. It’s walkable, culturally rich, and well-connected by high-speed train. For foodies who love a market haul followed by a glass of Pinot Noir in a leafy square, Dijon offers a deliciously well-balanced lifestyle.
Nice
On the sun-soaked shores of the French Riviera, Nice is a feast for the senses. With its blend of French and Italian influences, this coastal city offers a unique take on Provençal flavours, all centred around its vibrant open-air and covered markets.
What makes it a foodie favourite
- Cours Saleya Market is the city’s culinary heart, where you’ll find fragrant herbs, citrus fruits, spices, socca (chickpea flatbread), and seasonal produce beneath colourful awnings.
- Local specialities include Niçoise salad, pissaladière, olives, and fresh seafood, all reflecting the region’s Mediterranean roots.
- Every day offers a new food experience, from small wine shops to gelato stands and olive oil boutiques.
Lifestyle bonus
Nice is ideal for those who want a lively, sun-filled lifestyle with culinary flair. With sea views, easy airport access, and a year-round market culture, it’s a top choice for retirees, creatives, and digital nomads who want to savour life at a slower, tastier pace.
Map of the best market towns in France
Final notes
For food lovers, France is more than a country, it’s a way of life shaped by flavours, seasons, and the simple joy of gathering around good produce. Whether you dream of picking up sun-ripened tomatoes in Provence, sampling truffles in Dordogne, or chatting with cheesemongers in Dijon, choosing the right town can make everyday life feel like a feast.
Each of the places we’ve highlighted offers more than just beautiful markets, they provide community, culture, and a slower, more satisfying rhythm. From vibrant coastal cities like Nice to storybook towns like Uzès and Sarlat, these destinations offer something for every taste and lifestyle.
