You will find all the usual Provençal fabric and earthenware in Aix, and a wide range of olive-based products and local wines, but what the city is really famous for is its calissons, a marzipan-like confectionery made from sweet almonds and preserved fruits. They are available in most confiseries (sweet shops) in the city, but for a better selection head for Calissons du Roy René, 10 rue Clémenceau, or Léonard Parli, 35 avenue Victor Hugo.

Antiques are big in Aix, and the best places to go hunting for them are in the Mazarin district, around the Cours Mirabeau, in the area around the Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall) and the Palais de Justice (Law Courts) and also Sextius-République. A good bric-a-brac market takes place every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning on the place Verdun, in front of the Palais de Justice: turn up early to snap the best bargains.

The marché aux fleurs (flower market) takes place on the same mornings on the place de l'Hôtel de Ville.

Monoprix on the Cours Mirabeau is a handy superstore located right in the city centre, and sells a bit of everything, from groceries to clothes.

Shops are open 0800-1200 and 1400-1900, although some remain open at lunchtime. Most shops are closed on Sundays.