French market delights in the quaint old town of Præstø

Looking for a one-day excursion from Copenhagen during the Ascension holiday? Visit the French Spring Market from 10 to 12 May 2024.

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By Bente D. Knudsen  Pictures are from a past market event.

Alright, if you were ever at a French market in one of the warm and wonderful towns of Provence or on the Cote D’Azur, do not expect quite the same for this one in Denmark.

It is not a regular market taking place once a week with local producers coming to sell their goods, and others selling various bric à brac, as you find them in France and Italy.

However, it is really a lovely yearly market in a more Danish setting, one with beautiful old houses, many painted yellow, cobblestone roads and pavements, located along the fjord at Præstø with its lovely small harbour.

This year due to popular demand the market is even larger than the past ones with more than 117 booths spresding around the small town’s three main squares.

We recommend selecting the day with the best weather for this excursion, so keep tabs on the weather forecast for the bank holiday.

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The market offers a range of booths, not all French; you will find hatmakers, beermakers, hot dog stands, fish and chips (really good!), various Italian delicacies, even the local producers of gin from the Isle of Møn spirits and warm sweaters and other garments made from alpaca wool to keep you warm.

Before corona they had a French cheese stand ( it came all the way from France!), however, so far, we have not heard if they are coming back this year, but there Nell’s Dutch Cheese presenting various Gouda cheeses who will be there this year.

You can buy fresh produce at the stand with fresh vegetables and fruit- some of it from local suppliers, also the arts and crafts are strongly represented with local designers of amongst other jewellery, other art crafts as well. In general just enjoy this delightful small town.

The market is open Friday and Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00, Sunday only until 16:00.

Præstø lies south of Copenhagen, between Næstved and Vordingborg. It will take you about 45 minutes to one hour driving from Copenhagen.

Public transport is by bus from the train stations at Næstved and Vordingborg, both stations have trains running regularily from Copenhagen Main Station.

Find more information at the site of Fransk Forår i Præstø as the market is called in Danish  – you can find it here in Danish.

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You could combine the excursion with visiting the GOOSE TOWER in Vordingborg.

The Goose Tower, or Gåsetårnet, is the only remaining building of the old ramparts and fortifications in Vordingborg. Impressive excavations have unearthed a range of old remains.

They are worth visiting as well as the museum. More information about the goose tower here: