Stats:
12 Rue Louis Blanc, 06400 Cannes, France
Open year-round
Tuesday through Sunday, 7am to 1pm
On Monday it’s a Brocante Market (think, ‘flea market’,
selling all manner of bric-a-brac). Although even on Monday
you can find a few die hard produce merchants, but it’s pretty minimal.

Back Story:
After 1880, the 6 iron-roofed pavilion, Marche Forville, replaced the demolished old buildings of Poussiat at the base of
Le Souquet hill. Altered in 1934 and restored in 1993.
Old timers still call it “the belly of Cannes.” Recently the area around it has been dedicated to pedestrians only (2011).

Impressions:
Even though the marketplace is technically indoors, it is situated within the confines of an open-air structure. It is colorful, airy and comfortable inside. As soon as you walk in you are greeted with beautiful displays of tantalizing consumables, the aroma from a huge array of fresh herbs and flowers, and plenty of merchants happy to hand out a sample! We strongly suggest that, when visiting the Market, you also explore the surrounding streets, giving you a nice taste of the Provencal life, more genuine than the fluffy atmosphere of the resort hotels and restaurants. Just a terrific area, bustling with wonderful little shops and cafes, you can find all sorts of things, from smoked fish and raw crustaceans to a hardware store or a wine shop.

Tourist-wise:
The French Riviera is a popular resort area and Cannes is renowned for its film festival that takes place in May. That festival is full of glitz and glam, which is perfect for the Croisette, (the main boulevard) and the highfalutin shops. But for now, we’re heading to the very heart and soul of Cannes and the Côte d’Azur: the Marche Forville. This casual old covered market is one of the most renowned markets on the French Riviera. The feel here is very neighborly, a place where the local communities meet and do their every day shopping. It’s also a popular haunt for some of Cannes most well known chefs and restaurateurs. The merchants are mostly eager-to-please, and tourists are warmly welcomed here. The best fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats, fish, bread, olives, herbs, and flowers are on display and sale here. And the list goes on… If you want a real feel of the real town, this is the place to get it! You can barter, but please note that most merchants will only speak French. (Notice I didn’t say ‘can only’.) So you may want to troquer en français, or stick to the ticket price, (also in French). Going first thing in the morning is definitely best for selection, but the end of the market day is the time to get the good deals, if they are to be had.

If You Go:
Walking, riding a bike or scooter-ing, to the market is best. (It also gives you the chance to stumble upon hidden sights that you might otherwise miss.) There is parking at the Forville car park, with the first hour free, but spaces are not always easy to come by. Public Transit: There is a pretty efficient bus system in Cannes. Tickets can be purchased on the bus or at the bus stations. There are three bus companies, so fares may differ. Taxis can be hailed on the street or you can order them by calling Taxis de Cannes at +33 (04)929 9272 There are many French Holidays throughout the year, so you might want to check to be sure that the Market will be open on the dates you’ll be visiting.

Contacts/Links:
We’re not having any luck tracking down any specific contacts for the Market.
Please let us know if you have a tip for us.
Cannes Tourist Office: Palais des Festivals, 1 Boulevard La Croisette Tel: +33 (0) 4 92 99 84 22
tourisme@palaisdesfestivals.com
July and August, daily — 9am to 8pm September to June, Monday to Saturday – 9am to 7pm
Bon appétit!

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