Does your idea of a holiday include fantastic food and wine experiences? Immerse yourself into the food and wine of Provence with your own charming French guide! Here are just a few suggestions for your foodie adventure.
Cooking in Avignon
Avignon is a great place to start your food and wine adventure in Provence! This can be a nice place to call home for a few days. Marvel at this walled city’s 39 towers and 7 gates as you spend the morning exploring the cafes, boutiques and historical sites. Of course, you should visit the breathtaking Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes), a vast fortified castle that was built between 1335 and 1364 and was home to a succession of nine popes. These popes fought for control of the Catholic Church until Rome’s pope finally prevailed. A tour of the palace takes you back to a time of intrigue. Climb the towers of the palace and admire the frescoes and tapestries inside.
Avignon offers some really special private cooking classes. Let us help organize a class or two with a local chef. Choose the freshest ingredients and learn to make the best Provençal dishes! Of course, we can also offer private wine tastings with a local expert in town, where you will learn about the different wines of the region.
Wine in Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Located a short distance from Avignon, Chateauneuf-du-Pape is the home of some of the best wine in the world! Today you will start with a visit to a famous wine estate. Tour their cellar, learning about the wine making process, followed by a private tasting. You will then have some free time on your own for lunch (not included) in the gorgeous little medieval village of Chateauneuf. Your next stop is at another winery. Here, you will visit the cellar and meet the winemaker. He will give you a private tasting workshop of the various wines that he makes and can even teach you how to make your own Chateauneuf blend. Let us know if you are interested in blending your own wine and he will bottle it for you to take home, putting your own personalized label on the wine. You will definitely need some time to explore the village and its chateau.
Black Truffle Tasting & Hunting
The treasured truffle is emblematic of gastronomy in Provence. It is also a “foodie” favorite! Today you will explore the countryside where you will immerse yourself in all things TRUFFLE! You will visit little medieval villages and learn about the Périgord black truffle. Meet a family of truffle farmers and tour their property. You will be amazed at watching their dog seek and find these famous mushrooms. Depending on the time of year, you may have opportunity to visit a famous truffle market too! Next, it is time to taste the truffles as you sip on some of the locally produced wine. This is a truly authentic experience!
Olive Oil and Wine Experience
The South of France and Provence are well known for the high quality of olive oil that they produce. Today you will explore an olive orchard, where you will relax in the sunshine and learn about the production of the region’s famous olives and olive oil. Together with the producer, you will taste and notice the difference between each olive oil. Of course, you will continue on to some local vineyards that produce some unforgettable red, white and rosé wines. The terroir in the Alpilles area is unique and we have wine producing partners near Saint-Rémy-de-Provence who will happily host you for a tasting and perhaps a picnic in the vines.
*** There are just a few days’ worth of “foodie” activities that will allow you to indulge in a taste of the “flavors of Provence”. Interested in market visits in little hill towns? Cheese and wine pairings? We have so many more suggestions!