Christmas Market Allauch 8 and 9 December

Get into the mood by visiting Allauch's Provençal Christmas market, Santa will be there (of course), there are stalls selling food (marrons glacés, chocolate and local nougat) and drink and you'll find those elusive perfect Christmas presents. There will be activites for children of all ages. It starts on Saturday afternoon and is open Sunday from 10am.

You can also go to the Vieux Bassin to see Gilbert Orsini's animated creche. The whole gallery is filled with images of Provençal villages inhabited by santons spinning yarn, making bread and celebrating Christmas - definitely worth a look.

To get to Allauch from central Marseille take metro line 1 to La Rose and bus 144 from there.

Christmas market with a difference 17 and 18 December

Still haven't found that ideal present? Why not try this market, you're sure to find something original. It's at Cours Julien (metro line 2 Notre Dame du Mont) Saturday and Sunday 17/18 December.

Donkey Day 4 December

For children of all ages. In the village of Allauch, a day dedicated to donkeys, with rides, a procession of donkeys and a market. Details are on the village website.

Donkey Day

Art sale weekend 1 and 2 October

144 Marseille artists will be selling their work on the ground floor of Immeuble Communica,  2 place François Mireur (next to the Centre Bourse-metro line 1 Vieux Port). Go and browse, you might find just what you're looking for.

Open Brocante on Sundays

Sunday is Open Brocante day in rue Edmond Rostand. Lots of the antique and art shops display their wares in the open air, like the picture above on display at Studio 19.