To experience Normandy at its most authentic, look no further than the local market, the earlier the better, whatever the day. Once, sometimes twice a week. Meet the people, try out your French, purchase fresh local produce or get a buzz from just browsing! Every town and village will have a website with information on when and where markets are held. Below is a selection of our favourites.
Dieppe market, France’s finest (Seine-Maritime)
About 200 stalls fill the central part of Dieppe every Saturday morning. Food producers come from far and wide, the Pays de Bray, the Pays de Caux and neighbouring Picardy. It is reckoned to be one of the finest – certainly the biggest – market in the region and the abundance of fresh fruit, vegetables, seafood, herbs, cheeses and the like has to be seen to be believed. There are also non-food items like clothing, haberdashery and homemade soaps. In 2020, it was voted the best market in France! There is also a dedicated fish and sea food market every day right opposite the marina on the Quai Henri IV, all caught fresh that day, as well as evening markets.
Rouen markets (Seine-Maritime)
Rouen has over a dozen markets. The most famous one is the Saint-Marc market, which is held on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The largest market is on Sundays, and features local produce and a huge range of non-food items – books, furniture, clothes and cutlery – sought after by bargain hunters.
Buchy market (Seine-Maritime)
A traditional market is held every Monday morning in the Great Hall. Neufchâtel cheese is held in high regard here so don’t miss it!
Caen markets (Calvados)
There are two markets held in Caen. The larger of the two is on Sunday mornings along the marina and the smaller is on Friday mornings on the beautiful Place Saint-Sauveur, which makes for an exquisite 18-century setting for your shopping!
Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives market (Calvados)
This traditional country market has been going since William the Conqueror’s time, and is held in and around a Norman tithe barn said to be the largest in France, the oak beams held together by 290,000 chestnut pegs. This is an incredible market both for its produce and for its impressive historic surroundings.
Trouville-sur-Mer market (Calvados)
If you’re looking for some ultra fresh fish, come and buy it direct from the fishermen themselves, at Trouville-sur-Mer’s famous fish market, which is open every day. Or why settle down outside one of the stalls to tuck into a seafood platter fresh off the fishing boats that day, washed down with a glass of crisp white wine?
Courseulles-sur-Mer market (Calvados)
The fish market is held every day along the quayside, with fish so fresh they might wriggle in your bag! There is also the regular market, which takes place all year round on Tuesday and Friday mornings, and in July and August on Saturday evenings from 6:30pm and Sunday mornings as well. A new covered market opens in Courseulles-sur-Mer this year.
Bayeux market (Calvados)
The medieval city of Bayeux is the perfect backdrop to its markets held in the pedestrianised Rue Saint Jean on Wednesdays, and up on the Place Saint Patrice (where it’s been held since Roman times) on Saturdays. Also, in the summer there’s a Norman arts and crafts and local foods market on Thursday evenings in front of the town hall.
Honfleur market (Calvados)
The main market in Honfleur is held on Saturday mornings all year, and a bio (organic) market is held on Wednesday mornings around the great wooden church of Sainte-Catherine and its belfry tower. There’s also an evening market held from 5:30pm on Wednesday evenings in July and August on the high street and by the tourist office.
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin market (Manche)
There are loads of different markets in Cherbourg, most most taking place on Thursdays and Sundays on the Place de Gaulle, Place Centrale and in front of the main post office) and on Sundays on the Avenue de Normandie. There’s also a flea market on the first Saturday of each month around the Basilica of Sainte-Trinité. In the summer, there’s a Thursday evening arts and crafts market which attracts local artisans, farmers and producers.
Granville market (Manche)
The open-air market in Granville is held on Saturday mornings between 8am and 6pm and the covered market between 8am and 2pm in the Cours Jonville. The organic market is on Tuesday afternoons. The covered market is listed as ’20th-century heritage’. What makes this place special is the backdrop of the sea!
Barneville-Carteret market (Manche)
If you’re going to, or coming from, the Channel Islands, Thursday morning is a good time to be in Barneville-Carteret. In the summer, the ‘Cotentin tourist train’ can take you there. The summer market sets up on Saturday mornings, and is one of the prettiest markets in the Cotentin, while on Sunday mornings in July and August there’s a market on the beach. The town also organises evening markets and entertainment.
Pont-Audemer market (Eure)
Sometimes called the ‘Norman Venice’, the market in Pont-Audemer is held on Monday and Friday mornings and is a great place for local produce. About 70 stalls sell clothing and non-food items on Mondays, while on Fridays, it is fresh farm produce only.
Le Neubourg market (Eure)
A traditional market held every Wednesday in Le Neubourg. Towards the end of the year there are also foie gras markets to look out for.
Sainte-Opportune-la-Mare market (Eure)
On the first Sunday of each month you can purchase fresh farm produce, and notably apples from January to April.
Bagnoles-de-L’Orne market
Organised by the Chambre de l’Agriculture in partnership with the Grand Domaine Bagnoles-de-l’Orne, this market is held in a covered market on Thursdays from June to September. There is also a regular market on Tuesdays and Saturdays in the Place du Marché and on Wednesdays and Fridays by the chateau.
L’Aigle market
The main market of L’Aigle, a small town in the heart of the Orne département, is held every Tuesday morning.
Alençon market
The market in the Place de la Magdeleine, next to the Church of Notre-Dame, is the biggest in the town and takes place on Thursday and Saturday mornings.
Normandy’s top organic markets
- MaHonfleur organic market, every Wednesday from 8.30am to 1pm (until 5pm in July/August), Place Sainte-Catherine
- Trouville-sur-Mer organic market, every Saturday from 8.30am to 1pm, Quai Fernand Moureaux
A different way to discover Normandy
Our selection of Normandy Experiences
Normandy Experiences are local gems that add meaning to your trip. You’ll meet Normandy people who are truly passionate about what they do.
Cheese and Cider Tasting in Normandy
Pont L’Évêque
Bayeux
Oyster Farm Tasting Tour in Baie des Veys
Grandcamp-Maisy
Thematics