Gastronomy Valley : Provence on a plate

Your first day takes you to Séguret, at the foot of the stunning Dentelles de Montmirail rock formation. Officially one of “France’s Most Beautiful Villages”, this little oasis with its steep lanes is an invitation to relax, stroll and admire the vistas over the Rhône Valley. Get to know the local wines better with a spot of wine tasting courtesy of Laurent Bellion, in an intimate setting perfect for exchanging and learning about the close ties between the village and its terroir. Before heading to Orange for the night, stop off in Violès, where Domaine de l’Odylée hosts a fascinating grape blending workshop, offering aficionados a practical and accessible approach to the world of winemaking. As you carefully blend grape varieties and proportions, you will appreciate the finesse of this very special art, and the importance of the choices made at each stage of the winemaking process. A delightful first immersion in the diversity of this fabulous terroir.

The Roman Theatre in Orange is an absolute must-see! The architecture of this iconic monument – a UNESCO World Heritage site – stands witness to the grandeur of the Roman Empire. Next stop is Carpentras, a gourmet town par excellence, reputed for its traditional confectionery and especially its famous “berlingot”. This colourful boiled sweet, with its crunchy texture and tender heart, is an integral part of the local identity, and a living testimony to know-how handed down through generations. A few kilometres away, Château Pesquié in Mormoiron invites you to savour a countrified picnic in the vines, showcasing local produce and estate wines in a natural and perfectly peaceful setting. And at the end of the day, you’ll be heading to a very famous winegrowing area steeped in the scenery of the Rhône Valley: Châteauneuf-du-Pape…

From the heights of its rocky spur, Gordes, one of “France’s Most Beautiful Villages”, is a genuine jewel of the Luberon. Its cobbled streets, dry stone houses and spectacular views over the valley offer the perfect Provençal decor. A few kilometres away, the Provençal Colorado in Rustrel unveils an astonishing landscape of flamboyant orange hues, forged by the old ochre quarries. The spectacle continues in Roussillon, another iconic Luberon village, where the ochre trail and Okhra ecomuseum tell the fascinating tale of this natural pigment. The voyage heads skywards at the Astronomy Centre in Saint-Michel-l’Observatoire, inviting you to marvel at the cosmos to your heart’s content. Last but not least, Salagon Priory and its specialist gardens in Mane are the perfect place for a cultural and botanical break, while La Caramelerie promises a delicious taste of childhood…

Your morning in Avignon begins at Les Halles food hall, a genuine temple of local gastronomy where producers, artisans and chefs rub shoulders in a warm and lively atmosphere. Here, sun-kissed fruit, succulent cheeses and Provençal specialities offer up a mouthwatering and colourful show. The route continues southwards to Aix-en-Provence, with a stop-off at Château La Coste: here, contemporary art and winemaking go hand in hand, in exceptional landscaped grounds lined with cypresses, umbrella pines, olives and oaks. The surprises continue after your art walk – Château La Coste, harbouring no less than 5 restaurants, is also famed for its exceptional gastronomic offering. Wind up your day with a delightful immersion in the cosy elegance and authentic Provençal lifestyle of Aix-en-Provence. The local “Calisson” makers welcome visitors with open arms and unveil the secrets of this iconic candy, a genuine symbol of Aix.

The tour ends peacefully in Marseille, with a discovery tour of Les Navettes des Accoules, located at the entrance to the city’s Panier quarter. This iconic address still produces Marseille’s traditional “navette” biscuits, with their unmistakeable scent of orange blossom. In addition to this local speciality, the shop sells typical Corsican biscuits including canistrelli and cucciole, as well as Provençal biscuits including the boat-shaped “barquette provençale” and almond crunches. Last but not least, push open the door to the Herboristerie du Père Blaize  in the Noailles quarter – a genuine Marseille institution dedicated to phytotherapy. On one side of the street, the pharmacy-come-herbalist offers a fabulous range of plant remedies and natural preparations, while on the other, the tisanerie serves carefully curated herbal teas. Soothing beverages and wellness guaranteed… What better way to wind up your tour?!