Springtime travel is finally back—and for many of us, France sits firmly at the top of the list. When winter feels endless and the cold grey skies overstay their welcome, the thought of walking through a sun-washed Provençal market surrounded by colour, craftsmanship, and creativity feels like the perfect antidote.
Whether you’re a casual traveller, a dedicated craft lover, an art collector, or a maker yourself, France is one of the richest destinations in the world for discovering authentic handmade crafts, ceramics, textiles, soaps, baskets, art and antiques. And with modern tools like Pigee – the AI Shipping Assistant now available, bringing your treasures home safely has never been easier.
This guide explores exactly where to shop, what to buy, how to avoid the typical tourist traps, and—most importantly how to ship fragile or oversized crafts safely back home without worrying about luggage restrictions or damage.
France has long been celebrated for its craftsmanship. From hand-thrown Provençal pottery to Marseille soaps, from carved olivewood kitchenware to embroidered textiles, the country remains one of the world’s richest hubs of artisanal tradition.
Even in 2025, when global retail is dominated by mass-produced goods, France’s artisan markets continue to thrive. According to data from Ateliers d’Art de France (the National Federation of Craftspeople), the country is home to over 280,000 craftspeople across more than 200 artistic professions. (Source: https://www.ateliersdart.com/)
This thriving handmade scene means one thing for travellers:
You can find truly unique, high-quality items you won’t see anywhere else in the world.
If you’re dreaming of a trip that blends sunshine, history, local food, and beautiful artisan work, Provence is the place to be. The region is famous for its open-air markets, which take place nearly every day of the week in different towns and villages.
You’ll find:
These markets are lively, colourful, and deeply atmospheric—perfect for wandering, buying, and absorbing local culture.
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is a treasure. Every Wednesday, its streets transform into one of the most charming markets in the south of France.
Expect stalls filled with:
If you enjoy discovering items made by people who genuinely care about the craft, this market should be at the top of your itinerary.
Known as the “Venice of Provence,” this beautiful town hosts one of France’s most celebrated antiques markets every Saturday.
Here you’ll find:
According to France Today, the L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue market attracts over 200 dealers every weekend. (Source: https://francetoday.com/)
This is a paradise for collectors and travellers looking for truly one-of-a-kind pieces.
Wandering just outside the main squares often leads to the best finds—tiny independent shops run by makers themselves. You’ll discover:
Buying directly from the creator means you’re supporting genuine craftsmanship—not mass-produced tourist merchandise.
While shopping in France is magical, it also comes with practical challenges.
Ceramics, glassware, art pieces, bottles, textiles, and antiques don’t travel well in carry-on baggage.
Extra luggage fees and strict weight restrictions in 2025 make it harder to bring home larger or heavier items.
Handwoven baskets, framed art, large tablecloths, rugs, or wooden kitchen items simply don’t fit in a suitcase.
Baggage handlers are not known for gentleness—especially with ceramics or glass.
Many travellers walk away from incredible handcrafted items because they fear breakage or extra baggage charges.
This is where Pigee changes everything.
If you love buying handmade items while travelling, Pigee is the simplest, most secure way to get them home.
Here’s how it works:
Whether it’s a ceramic bowl or a handmade vase, the seller handles safe packaging.
No need to search for a post office, shipping centre, or packaging service.
Pigee calculates customs, duties, and paperwork so nothing gets delayed.
All shipments come with tracking, updates, and optional enhanced insurance.
Instead of stressing about breakage on the flight, your items arrive safely after your trip.
You can try it now at:
👉 https://account.pigeepost.com/
Many French artisans rely on tourist sales, but they struggle with international shipping. That’s why Pigee is becoming a favourite among independent shops across France—especially ceramicists, textile makers, soap crafters and small artisan boutiques.
Pigee allows them to:
Learn how small shops and galleries benefit here:
👉 https://pigeepost.com/art_gallery_delivery/
Whether you’re visiting for the markets, the food, or the sunshine, Provence is rich with handmade treasures:
Provence is famous for its colourful pottery—bowls, plates, pitchers and art pieces.
Marseille soap, lavender essential oils, solid perfumes and handmade lotions.
Tablecloths, napkins, runners, quilts and hand-embroidered fabrics.
Olivewood spoons, salad bowls, cutting boards, handmade utensils.
Reed, straw and palm baskets that last for years.
Local painters, illustrators, mixed-media artists and textile artists sell direct from their studios and stalls.
Every one of these items can be safely shipped home using Pigee.
One of the greatest pleasures of travelling is filling your home with meaningful objects that remind you of your journey. A hand-painted bowl from Aix. An olivewood spoon from a Saint-Rémy craft stall. A lavender sachet from a tiny village market. These aren’t just souvenirs—they’re memories.
Before discovering Pigee, many travellers avoided special items because they were fragile, heavy or too large. Now, you never have to worry again.
With Pigee’s global delivery service, you can buy what you love—and know it will arrive safely.
Before you head to France this spring, you can set up your Pigee account in advance:
👉 https://account.pigeepost.com/
Whether you’re buying ceramics in Provence, antiques in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, soaps in Marseille, or artwork in Paris, Pigee helps you:
If someone back home falls in love with your new ceramic vase or hand-woven basket?
Just re-order through the app and Pigee will deliver a unique one to them too.
France continues to be one of the world’s best destinations for authentic, handmade crafts. From the sun-drenched markets of Provence to the antique stalls of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, the country offers endless opportunities for discovering beautiful, meaningful items.
And thanks to modern shipping solutions like Pigee, bringing those treasures home is now simple, secure, and stress-free.
So pack your suitcase, book that flight, and get ready for a spring full of colour, creativity, craftsmanship—and unforgettable finds.
