There is a lot to sniff at the famous Sunday L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue market! Baguettes are stacked up and leave crusty crumbs for me to lick up. A man in an apron sliced up huge wheels of cheese while trying to explain the various types of Provençal salami to my mom. She bought some Comté cheese, wild boar salami, and pork salami with figs. I never eat my food when traveling, so I know my mom and dad will share with me to make sure I don’t go hungry.
Brightly colored produce spilled out of bins and onto tables. Chickens were roasting on a spit. Macaroons in every color and flavor smelled delicious. I was just waiting for anyone to drop even a little morsel!
We weaved along the island’s tiny streets built on the five branches of the Sorgue River. Up and over bridges we went, by spice vendors selling Herbes de Provence and dried lavender, lingering near the moss-covered water wheels along the riverbed fed by a spring in case I might like a drink.
Luckily we arrived early. It starts to get quite crowded and I don’t like when I feel as though I might get stepped on. I spotted this cat that had the right idea; escaping the crowds by napping on the roof of an archway over the street.
Know Before You Go
The L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue market takes place on Thursday and Sunday from 9am – 1pm with the Sunday market being one of the largest in Provence. Free parking is available on the edges of the town, but fill up quickly. Paid parking is also available.
We’re Jennifer and Tim and we love traveling! We are just one ordinary couple who have found that travel brought us closer together, taught us patience, the art of compromise, and how to truly appreciate the diversity of this extraordinary world. So far, we've visited 37 countries, lived in the United States and Italy, and Tim has lived in Korea. And we do it all while both holding down full time jobs. 
Greece 
Italy 
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Ruth DuVan
July 8, 2012 at 4:18 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
I know Emma enjoyed that trip! It sounded like she had fun.
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Erika Blake
July 9, 2012 at 4:54 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Aww good Emma that you didn't bark at that cat or try to steal food!
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
July 10th, 2012 at 6:35 pm
Hi Erika! Emma is used to cats since we also have one and she is really good about not just taking food. Instead, she gives people the “aren’t I cute?” look and they seem to share!
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Brock - Backpack With Brock
July 9, 2012 at 11:13 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
I like the cat friend you made. He had the right idea!
Brock – Backpack With Brock recently posted..Snapshot: Florence, Italy – My First Italian City
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
July 10th, 2012 at 6:48 pm
Hi Brock! Yes, the cat found a great place to relax and not be disturbed!
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Ali
July 10, 2012 at 1:28 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Sounds like an interesting market! I’m not a fan of big crowds either, which is why I don’t really like going to our market here on Saturdays, but weekdays are just fine.
Ali recently posted..Freiburg, I Love You, But…
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
July 10th, 2012 at 6:52 pm
Hi Ali! It was a really good market! If it hadn’t been so hot, I would have brought home some of the wonderful vegetables and cheeses!
We did come home with Herbes de Provence, a cute woven bag, a ceramic hand painted spice grinder, and some Provençal sausages. All these were less expensive at the market than we saw them anywhere else on the rest of our trip!
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Laurel
July 11, 2012 at 2:20 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Loves markets, especially ones that sell macaroons buy the bucket and that have cats!
Laurel recently posted..South African Wildlife: Beyond the Big 5
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
July 11th, 2012 at 4:19 pm
Those macaroons made an excellent breakfast! My favorite flavors were the cassis and caramel.
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