Powerful aromas are rising from the kitchens of the Museon Arlaten, where we've concocted a new edition of "Mistral gagnant", devoted this year to Provençal cuisine in the work of Mistral.
The delights of a Nobel Prize winner and founder of the Museon Arlaten, Frédéric Mistral
For "Mistral Gagnant", gourmet texts and recipes inspired by the poet's universe mingle with the collections and culinary souvenirs of the agents, for a sensory experience where literature is savored like a generous dish. If, for Mistral, the Museon Arlaten is a "poem in objects" and an extension of his literary work, popular cuisine and Provençal gastronomy are also, according to him, a cross between matter and spirit, between the mystique of transmission and earthly nourishment.
The program features four highlights:
1:30 pm: Cooking workshop at the Hôtel Arles Plaza (attention SOLD OUT)
With the complicity of the Hôtel Arles Plaza, which occupies the site of the former "Lion d'Arles" (so many memories in these grocery stores!), graciously lending its magnificent kitchen, and the two chefs Eric Grandin and Bruno Bouedo, the Museon proposes a workshop that will plunge you into the gourmet universe of the XIXᵉ century and help you rediscover Provence as celebrated by Frédéric Mistral!
With the scents of garlic, olive oil and herbs from the Midi, participants cook recipes from yesteryear: fougasse à l'huile, cargols à la provençale, aïgo boulido and pompe à l'huile. Gestures, anecdotes and flavors intermingle in a convivial experience where the langue d'oc, traditions and the pleasure of taste come alive again at the Museon Arlaten.
Free, BY RESERVATION by phone or e-mail.
4:30pm: Lecture by Henri Moucadel
Le verbe mijote: cuisine et littérature chez Mistral
Henri Moucadel, author of La taulo e l'oustau - Contes gourmands, teaches langue d'Oc at the Faculté de lettres, Université d'Avignon et d'Aix Marseille, and has published numerous articles and books on Provençal culture and literature. All the texts in his culinary collection are taken from the works of Frédéric Mistral (prose, poetry or articles) and relate to culinary traditions, meals, harvests, Provencal products and specialties. They come mainly from the Armana prouvençau, the newspaper L'Aiòli, and Memòri e raconte.
Free, no reservation necessary, subject to availability.
6 pm - 7:30 pm: Culinary and poetic stroll
Taste the words of Mistral.
From room to room, stroll through the museum to discover excerpts from F. Mistral's literary texts from the collection La taulo e l'oustau - Contes gourmands, in French or Provençal, read by museum staff.
On the menu: excerpts from Journal l'Aïoli, Armana prouvençau, Calendal, Poème du Rhône, Mémoires et récits, Iles d'Or, Nerte, Mireille...
Free, no reservation required, subject to availability; please note: departures are staggered, in small groups.
8 pm - 9:30 pm: Buffet dinner
To round off the day, a tempting proposal inspired by the recipes you've read or prepared during the day! The buffet is designed as an opportunity to share and exchange ideas with museum staff. A booklet will be handed out to the public, including the texts that have been read, as well as the recipes "from the heart" of the museum's staff, often passed on by their elders.
Free, without reservation, subject to availability.
This event is accessible to people with reduced mobility.
For "Mistral Gagnant", gourmet texts and recipes inspired by the poet's universe mingle with the collections and culinary souvenirs of the agents, for a sensory experience where literature is savored like a generous dish. If, for Mistral, the Museon Arlaten is a "poem in objects" and an extension of his literary work, popular cuisine and Provençal gastronomy are also, according to him, a cross between matter and spirit, between the mystique of transmission and earthly nourishment.
The program features four highlights:
1:30 pm: Cooking workshop at the Hôtel Arles Plaza (attention SOLD OUT)
With the complicity of the Hôtel Arles Plaza, which occupies the site of the former "Lion d'Arles" (so many memories in these grocery stores!), graciously lending its magnificent kitchen, and the two chefs Eric Grandin and Bruno Bouedo, the Museon proposes a workshop that will plunge you into the gourmet universe of the XIXᵉ century and help you rediscover Provence as celebrated by Frédéric Mistral!
With the scents of garlic, olive oil and herbs from the Midi, participants cook recipes from yesteryear: fougasse à l'huile, cargols à la provençale, aïgo boulido and pompe à l'huile. Gestures, anecdotes and flavors intermingle in a convivial experience where the langue d'oc, traditions and the pleasure of taste come alive again at the Museon Arlaten.
Free, BY RESERVATION by phone or e-mail.
4:30pm: Lecture by Henri Moucadel
Le verbe mijote: cuisine et littérature chez Mistral
Henri Moucadel, author of La taulo e l'oustau - Contes gourmands, teaches langue d'Oc at the Faculté de lettres, Université d'Avignon et d'Aix Marseille, and has published numerous articles and books on Provençal culture and literature. All the texts in his culinary collection are taken from the works of Frédéric Mistral (prose, poetry or articles) and relate to culinary traditions, meals, harvests, Provencal products and specialties. They come mainly from the Armana prouvençau, the newspaper L'Aiòli, and Memòri e raconte.
Free, no reservation necessary, subject to availability.
6 pm - 7:30 pm: Culinary and poetic stroll
Taste the words of Mistral.
From room to room, stroll through the museum to discover excerpts from F. Mistral's literary texts from the collection La taulo e l'oustau - Contes gourmands, in French or Provençal, read by museum staff.
On the menu: excerpts from Journal l'Aïoli, Armana prouvençau, Calendal, Poème du Rhône, Mémoires et récits, Iles d'Or, Nerte, Mireille...
Free, no reservation required, subject to availability; please note: departures are staggered, in small groups.
8 pm - 9:30 pm: Buffet dinner
To round off the day, a tempting proposal inspired by the recipes you've read or prepared during the day! The buffet is designed as an opportunity to share and exchange ideas with museum staff. A booklet will be handed out to the public, including the texts that have been read, as well as the recipes "from the heart" of the museum's staff, often passed on by their elders.
Free, without reservation, subject to availability.
This event is accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Opening times
Opening times
On 13 December 2025
- 13:30 at 21:30
Location
Location
- www.museonarlaten.fr
Spoken languages
Spoken languages
